Best Treatment & Signs and Symptoms of cluster headache in 2022

Best Treatment  & Signs and Symptoms of cluster headache in 2022

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, which include cluster headache, are a group of primary headache disorders. In the case of cluster headaches, which are caused by a neurovascular disorder, frequent, severe headaches can be found on one side of the head, usually around the eye. Eye watering, nasal congestion, and eyelid swelling are common side effects of a headache that is typically limited to the side of the head where the pain is located.

The term "cluster headache" refers to the fact that the attacks occur in a series or cluster, rather than one at a time. Men are more likely than women to suffer from excruciatingly severe unilateral headache pain, which occurs on a regular basis.

In the United States, the exact prevalence of cluster headache is unknown, but some studies have estimated that it affects about 0.2 percent of the population. Also, middle-aged men are more likely to suffer from it.

Pathophysiology: \sThe underlying etiology of cluster headache is unknown, however, about 10 percent of patients have a positive family history. Possible genetic factors warrant further research, current evidence for genetic inheritance is limited in data. Some research suggest that cluster headaches may be related to dysfunction of the hypothalamus, our biological clock. This theory is based on the notion that the attacks frequently occur around the same time each day.

Signs and Symptoms: \sCluster headache pain is reported as one of the most painful conditions. Only one side of the head is affected (unilateral), as is the eye (orbital), the forehead (supraorbital), the temples (temporal), or any combination of these locations. This type of pain is often described as intense and can be felt in the area around or behind the orbit.

According to the diagnostic criteria developed by the International Headache Society (IHS), cluster headache has the following characteristics:

The patient experiences attacks of severe or very severe, strictly unilateral pain (orbital, supraorbital, or temporal pain) lasting 15-180 minutes and occur from once every other day to 8 times a day

One or more of the following (all on the same side) is connected to the attacks: symptoms include conjunctival injection (injection of the conjunctivum), tearing, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea (runny nose), forehead and facial sweating, ptosis (droopy eye lid), or swelling of the upper lids of the eyes.

Cluster headache attacks often occur periodically; spontaneous remissions may interrupt active periods of pain, though about 10–15 percent of chronic CH never remit.

Cluster headaches can be identified by the signs and symptoms that accompany them. Your medical history is a goldmine of knowledge. In some cases, neuroimaging may be required to rule out other medical causes of headaches. A neurologist will conduct an examination of your condition and make treatment recommendations based on the results.

In the event of a cluster headache, the results of diagnostic tests and imaging studies should be unremarkable. Additional diagnostic tests should be performed if the patient's medical history or physical exam indicates a different diagnosis is possible.

Diagnosis and treatment of headaches are greatly improved by keeping a diary of symptoms. Tracking when and where pain occurs, as well as how severe it is, how long it lasts, and the symptoms associated with it, can benefit from this tool.

Cluster headaches can be treated using a variety of methods. Anti-abortion and anti-prophylactic therapies are part of the treatment regimen. Both are necessary for patients who have a history of attacks on a regular basis. An attack can be stopped or at least the progression of a headache that has begun can be stopped using acute treatments. Using preventive treatments, the frequency and intensity of attacks can be lessened, abortive therapy can be more effective, and the patient's quality of life can be improved.

Severe attacks should be treated with an intranasal or subcutaneous dose of sumatriptan, which is the most commonly prescribed medication. [38] It has been found that sumatriptan is superior to zolmitriptan in terms of improving symptoms during an attack. One reason for subcutaneous injections' effectiveness is that they can take effect quickly. If an attack occurs, a typical dose of 6 mg subcutaneously may be repeated in 24 hours or a nasal spray (20 mg) may also be helpful.

Cluster headaches can be effectively aborted with the use of dihydroergotamine. Intravenous (IV), intranasal (0.5 mg bilaterally) and intramuscular administration are the most common routes of administration (IM).

Patients with frequent and debilitating attacks can also receive preventive therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of their attacks. Calcium channel blockers and lithium are just two of the many medications that fall into this category. Calcium channel blockers may be the best preventative agents. Ergotamine or lithium may be combined with verapamil for maximum effect.

Cluster headache triggers and precipitants should be avoided by patients. Each person's triggers are unique, and while some can be avoided, this isn't always possible.

Missed meals, exhaustion, insufficient or excessive sleep, and anxiety can all cause a cluster headache. Precipitating an attack can be anything from stress to allergens to seasonal changes to high or low temperatures to alcohol or nitroglycerin.