Table of Contents
What is a cluster headache?
Headaches have become a common health condition for many people whether men or women. this headache can be low or unbearable, they can disturb your normal daily. there are many types of headache exist, with stress headache the most common. cluster headaches are painful and occur in groups, migraines are the severe type of headache. cluster headache is not a chronic health condition many allopathy medicines are available to treat it. there are also many home remedies plus tips available to treat cluster headaches.
Types of cluster headaches.
There are two types of cluster headaches.
- Chronic cluster headaches: These headaches are chronic and stay for long hours. the people suffer cluster continuously without a symptom-free period in most cases.
- Episodic cluster headaches: They are sudden attacks that last for 15 minutes to 3 hours. they have a short duration, the frequency may range from 1 to 8 attacks per day lasting for months.
Causes of cluster headache
It is still unknown what exactly causes cluster headache, but cluster headache patterns found that abnormalities in the body’s biological clock (hypothalamus) play a role. As in Tension, migraine headache, cluster headache is not associated with triggers such as hormonal changes, foods, or stress. When the cluster period starts, however, drinking alcohol may quickly trigger a splitting headache.
Risk factors of cluster headache.
- A family history: If anyone in your family had had cluster headache it is more likely that you will have it too.
- Alcohol use: if you suffer from cluster headache and if you drink alcohol it will increase your headache.
- Smoking: Cigarette Smokers get cluster headaches more quickly.
- Age: People who suffer from cluster headache are between the 20 to 50 age group.
- Sex: Most of the time men are prone to suffer from cluster headaches.
What is trigger more cluster headache?
Alcohol has been found to trigger cluster headache, alcoholism is the first cause of cluster headache the pain starts after 1 hour of taking alcohol you must not consume alcohol when suffering from cluster headache. There is a significant number of people who found that smelling chemical substances such as bleach, solvents, petrol, paint fumes may trigger the attack. when you are suffering from this cluster headache try to stay away from these substances.
Medical experts have found that heavy smokers are at a big risk of experiencing chronic cluster headache so you should give up smoking.
Symptoms of cluster headache
A cluster headache strikes immediately, without warning, you might first suffer from nausea and aura.
- Swelling around your eye on the affected side.
- Drooping eyelid on the affected
- Facial sweating
- Restlessness
- On side pain in the head.
- Your eyes may become red on the pain side.
- The runny nose on the affected side.
- Pale skin.
- A cluster may last for 1 hour then disappear suddenly.
Treating cluster headaches home remedies
Following home remedies and tips may help you to reduce cluster headache.
Avoid exercise: In hot weather, it is suggested by Medical experts to not exercise in hot weather conditions.
Avoid few drugs: Taking nitroglycerin causes blood vessels to dilate, or enlarge and is linked to clustering headache attacks.
Avoid alcohol: When you suffer from cluster headaches avoiding alcohol may reduce the pain.
Quit smoking: Most of the people who suffer from cluster headaches are smoker’s if you are one of them quit smoking cigarettes.
Maintain proper sleep routine: 8 hours daily sleep is important for headache make a routine and sleep on time.
Avoid these foods
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Caffeine drinks, Tea, coffee, cola
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Artificial sweeteners
- Energy drinks.
Other common foods that are found to trigger cluster headache are Meat, Nuts, peanuts,
bananas, eggs, citrus fruits.
Drink enough water
Lack of fluid in the brain may trigger a headache. In fact, studies have shown that chronic dehydration is a common cause of headaches and migraines.
Turn off the light
Few people who suffer from headaches are said to be sensitive to light. Bright lights in the office, home, or from a smartphone may make the symptoms worse. try living in low light you may feel better. according to WebMD, some people suffer from a headache due to the bright light in their environment.
Magnesium
If you are frequently suffering from cluster headache. chances are more that you might have a low level of magnesium a medical test will reveal it we suggest you do it and if found low-level magnesium increase your magnesium level in form of supplement or eat more foods which are high in magnesium. A Daily recommended dosage of 400 to 500 milligrams per adult is advised.
List of foods that are high in magnesium
- Seeds
- Almonds
- Figs
- Avocado
- Green leafy vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- Eggs
- Brazil nuts
- spinach
- Broccoli
- Dark chocolate
- Beans
- banana
Ginger Tea for cluster headache
Ginger tea has been used for centuries to treat migraine other headache symptoms, ginger is effective as the drug sumatriptan in the treatment of headache symptoms. Ginger tea has very fewer side effects and safe for most people. you can drink ginger tea whenever you suffer from cluster headaches.
Acupressure for cluster headache
Acupressure has been part of Chinese medicine to treat a cluster headache. A 2014 study published in Pain Management nursing confirmed the practice of acupressure as an alternative therapy for patients suffering from chronic headaches and traumatic aches.
One more Medical study published in the American Journal of Chinese medicine highlighted the effectiveness of acupressure treatment in reducing chronic headache compared with a muscle relaxant treatment. If you are going to do acupressure ensure that it is done by an expert only.
Essential oil for cluster headache.
Essential oils contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties which may have a soothing effect on your nerves and help calm your cluster headache.[1]
Warning: Never take essential oils orally for cluster headaches.
Peppermint oil for cluster headache
Peppermint oil a rich composition of menthol that is known to have an analgesic effect on headaches. Peppermint effective properties help to open blocked blood vessels that are known to cause cluster headache.
A 2016 medical study suggested that a solution of around 10% peppermint oil in ethanol can help to treat headaches in adults and as well as children up to 6 years old. [3]
Yoga for cluster headache
Yoga has been practiced for centuries to treat and manage many health conditions. Yoga is a combination of various postures and deep breathing exercises that help to improve the overall health of an individual.
A 2015 Medical study found in the journal of physical therapy science suggested that yoga should be used as an alternative therapy to help relieve headaches.[4]
The best thing is that yoga does not have any side effects, in fact, it helps to lower down other health condition symptoms. you can find many yoga videos on youtube from known yoga practitioners who follow them for headache yoga postures.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E can play a good role in headache symptoms. A 2015 Medical review of Vitamin E supplementation suggested that vitamin E may relieve headache pain migraine symptoms from menstrual migraines with less risk of side effects.
This can be helpful for females also who experience migraines during their menstrual cycle, Vitamin E helps to keep hormones level balanced to prevent symptoms. The study called for more studies before making any claims about vitamin E.
Get a head massage
Do a gentle massage on your headache that can help relax your cluster headache by promoting serotonin activity and triggering the serotonin receptors to curtail the frequency and symptoms of a headache. It may also help to block the signals for the headache induced pain that is sent to the brain. Get a massage from a professional massager.
Kudzu extract
Kudzu extract is a botanical supplement that comes from the kudzu vine. Anecdotal evidence found that kudzu extract may treat headaches effectively. more medical studies are required to find out the appropriate dosage of Kudzu extract to treat cluster headaches.
Note: Kudzu extract should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding because there is not enough study available right now.
Take B-complex vitamin
B vitamins are water-soluble micronutrients that are important for the body. their work is to turn food into energy. Few B vitamins can have a protective effect against headaches. Many medical studies have shown that B vitamin Supplements such as riboflavin (B2), folate, B12 & pyridoxine (B6) can decrease headache symptoms.[6] [7]B vitamins contain all the eight B vitamins and are said to be a safe plus cost-effective way to treat cluster headache symptoms.
Medical research resource links
This may be useful for you
- OUCH (UK) (Organisation for the Understanding of Cluster Headache), Pyramid House, 956 High Road, London, N12 9RX. Helpline: 01646 651 979. Website: www.ouchuk.org
