General Information About Cluster Headache
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is one of the most severe pains known in medicine, consisting of extremely severe unilateral headache attacks that come in periods (clusters) lasting weeks or months and then disappear for months.
The severity of the pain is so excruciating and piercing (as if a skewer is being driven behind the eye) that the pain during an attack reaches an unbearable level, hence it is known by this name among the public.
Migraine patients want to rest lying down in a dark and quiet room. Cluster headache patients, on the other hand, cannot stand still due to the pain, constantly pace around, rock, or show a tendency to hit their heads against walls. Attacks are much shorter compared to migraines (15-90 min).
Bloodshot eye (redness) on the side of the pain, continuous tearing, drooping eyelid, and nasal congestion or a watery discharge from the nostril on the same side are observed.
It is diagnosed clinically by the neurologist evaluating the patient's attack history and symptoms. A Brain MRI is performed to confirm that there are no other issues in the brain (tumor, aneurysm, etc.).
Normal painkillers do not work. Inhaling 100% Pure Oxygen given via a mask the moment the attack starts and triptan-type injections stop the pain in 15 minutes. Preventive pills like verapamil or lithium are used to stop the cluster.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
