QUESTION: I get a lot of headaches.
They happen at least several times each month.
I worry that they may be cluster headaches.
How can I know if this is the case or not?
ANSWER: Only by proper diagnosis by a physician.
A cluster headache patient usually has one or two headaches a day, at about the same time of day, for several weeks or even months.
We are not sure what causes them, but possibly something makes blood vessels in the head begin to become narrow and that may trigger the pain. Many times clusters start suddenly reaching a peak within minutes and are so severe and steady that patients pace the floor.
The pain is so severe that they can't rest or even lie down. The pain always occurs on only one side of the face around the eye, sometimes spreading to the forehead, temple and cheek and remain located on the same side during any given cluster episode. Sufferers may experience reddening and watering of the eye on the affected side of the face; the eyelid may swell and droop, the pupil of the eye may narrow; the nostril on the affected side may become stuffy and run; sweat may be profuse over the forehead.
Only rarely do sufferers become nauseous or vomit. Cluster headaches occur mostly on the right side of the face and are much more common in men (about 90 percent more) than in women. In some people (most cluster headache sufferers are between 20 to 40 years of age when they suffer their first cluster headache), clusters return "with the season," or at least during the same season or month of every year. Most often, they occur at night. After several weeks or months, the headaches cease and frequently do not return for six months to a year.
But they often are set off again by consuming any alcohol beverage or even napping in the daytime. Fortunately, your doctor can prescribe medicines that often can prevent clusters or at least make them a bit less severe.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
