Neurological diseases >>>> What is cluster headache?

What is cluster headache?

Cluster headache is a type of headache that belongs to the group of neuralgic headaches. Another name for cluster headache is bundle headache.

Signs of a cluster headache:

boring pain in the eye socket, forehead, temples,
one-sided,
can radiate to the cheek, jaw, shoulder, under the shoulder blade,
in half of those suffering from an attack, the eyelid may drop, there may be lacrimation, half of the face swells from the side of the focus of pain,
proceeds in the form of episodic attacks,
or a chronic course,
painful attack often develops during sleep,
seizures occur in several sessions during the day, and then disappear for a long time (this fact defines the name "bundle" when seizures occur 4-5 times a day). This is an episodic example of cluster headache that alternates with periods of remission of 3 to 12 months.

The reasons for the development of cluster headache are not thoroughly studied, but one of the reasons is the dependence on the work of the blood vessels of the neck and brain. There is evidence of a genetic predisposition to this type of headache. The dependence of cluster headache on the length of daylight hours was revealed, the headache can be triggered by the intake of vasodilators (including nitroglycerin, alcohol), changes in ambient temperature.

To clarify the diagnosis, dopplerographic examination of the vessels of the brain and cervical spine is performed.

Treatment of cluster headache is associated with a number of difficulties, since the causes of its occurrence have not been thoroughly tracked and pharmaceutical methods for blocking cluster headache have not been worked out (are in the experimental stage). There are developments, as a result of which the use of electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, which regulates the work of blood vessels in the area of pain localization, led to positive effects. Triptan preparations and oxygen inhalations for relief of cluster headache attacks are popular.