Headaches are of different types, and identifying what type of headache you are suffering from can be difficult. To identify the type, you need to understand the symptoms and causes. For these reasons, it’s advisable to get a consultation from a Glenroy GP. They can help you identify the root cause and symptoms of your headache. In this blog, we’ll discuss cluster headache, its symptoms, causes, cluster headache vs migraine, and possible treatment options for cluster headache.
As the name implies, cluster headaches occur in clusters or groups, and are extreme headaches. They are rare, but when they occur, they can be very painful. Most commonly, males are affected by this type of headache, and it usually starts at age 20 to 40 years. People with cluster headaches experience frequent headaches over a few weeks. This is known as episodic cluster headache. They may experience a cluster headache up to 8 times a day, and it may last for up to 3 hours each.
The cluster headache pain can be severe, often described as:
One side of your face is affected by the cluster headache, with sharp pain behind or around your eye. The pain can spread to the cheeks, forehead, gum area, or nose. The pain may last up to 3 hours or may go away after 15 minutes. Here are some other symptoms on the same side of your face:
The cluster headache pain can be severe, often described as:
One side of your face is affected by the cluster headache, with sharp pain behind or around your eye. The pain can spread to the cheeks, forehead, gum area, or nose. The pain may last up to 3 hours or may go away after 15 minutes. Here are some other symptoms on the same side of your face:
The exact cause of cluster headaches is unknown. However, people who smoke may get chronic cluster headaches. People who experience cluster headaches report poor sleep quality. Cluster headaches may be linked to your genes and can run in families. Cluster headaches can be triggered by:
Cluster headaches are neither dangerous nor life-threatening. As you age, they may occur less often. However, they cause severe pain and can affect your quality of life, sleep, and work. If you experience extreme pain, get medical attention immediately.
Cluster headaches usually start at night or early in the morning. On the other hand, some people experience continuous headaches without long breaks, which is known as chronic cluster headache. It can make it difficult to do everyday tasks.
Here are treatment options available to treat cluster headaches:
You can also follow the tips written below to prevent cluster headaches:
Conclusion
Everyone gets a headache at some point in life for various reasons. However, cluster headaches are not a common headache. If you notice symptoms of a cluster headache, make sure to get in touch with medical professionals at Glenroy Medical Centre.
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