10 May 2019 Author : Raquel Gil-Gouveia Headache attacks involve the area of the forehead and temple. They are of short duration: 15 to 180 minutes. They usually occur at the same times one or more times a day in clusters that last for weeks or months, separated by headache-free periods. Cluster headaches may be: Episodic Chronic. The affected population: It is estimated that three in 1,000 people have cluster headaches. They affect men five times more than women. They usually occur between the ages of 20 and 40. They appear to be more common among smokers or former smokers. Causes of cluster headaches The causes of cluster headaches are unknown. In some patients, these headaches can be triggered by: Alcohol consumption Smoking Some medications Changes in usual sleep patterns. There seems to be some genetic influence in cluster headaches, as they are more common among members of the same family. Cluster headache symptoms The pain is: Very severe One-sided Located in or above the eye Located in the temple Generally, always on the same side. The affected eye and the nostril on the same side may turn red and watery. It is accompanied by restlessness. Headaches tend to occur at the same time of day in the same patient. They often wake the patient from a deep sleep. Episodic headaches Episodic cluster headaches occur daily for a period lasting an average of six to 12 weeks, called a cluster. These recurrences of pain often occur at given times: Every year; At the same time of year; Patients are completely pain free between these episodes. Chronic cluster headaches Chronic cluster headaches are much rarer. The attacks are daily and there are no pain-free periods or they last less than a month. Diagnosis and treatment Diagnosis of cluster headaches is based on: A description of the typical symptoms The patient’s history. Your doctor may ask you to take some tests to confirm that there is no other condition causing the same symptoms. The treatment of cluster headaches is difficult and requires medical intervention . Common painkillers have no effect on this type of headache. During clusters, it is necessary to treat the headache and to prevent subsequent attacks. The following are usually used to treat the symptoms: Administration of oxygen Specific analgesic drugs Some patients also respond to prophylactic treatment. Triggers (alcohol, smoking, medicines) and changes in lifestyle should also be avoided. Meet the neurology team from Hospital da Luz network and book your consultation The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
