Headache (cont.)
What causes cluster headaches?
The cause of cluster headaches is uncertain. It may be that certain parts of
the brain begin to malfunction for an unknown reason. The hypothalamus, an area
located at the base of the brain is responsible for the body's biologic clock
and may be the part of the brain that is the source for the headaches. When
brain scans are performed on patients who are in the midst of a cluster
headache, there is abnormal activity in the
hypothalamus.
Cluster headaches also:
- tend to run in families and this suggests that there may be
a genetic role.
- may be triggered by changes in
sleep patterns.
- may be triggered by medications (for example,
nitroglycerin, used for
heart disease) .
If the patient is in a susceptible period for cluster headache,
cigarette
smoking, alcohol, and some foods (for example, chocolate) can precipitate the
headache.
What are the symptoms of cluster headaches?
Cluster headaches are headaches that come in groups (clusters) lasting weeks
or months, separated by pain-free periods of months or years.
- During the period
in which the cluster headaches occur, pain typically occurs once or twice daily,
but some patients may experience pain more than twice daily.
- Each episode of
pain lasts from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.
- Attacks tend to occur at about
the same time every day and often awaken the patient at night from a sound
sleep.
- The pain typically is excruciating and located around or behind one eye.
- Some patients describe the pain as feeling like a hot poker in the eye. The
affected eye may become red, inflamed, and watery.
- The nose on the affected side
may become congested and runny.
Unlike patients with migraine headaches,
patients with cluster headaches tend to be restless. They often pace the floor,
bang their heads against a wall, and can be driven to desperate measures.
Cluster headaches are much more common in males than females.
Next: How are cluster headaches diagnosed? »
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