What do cluster headaches mean?

What do cluster headaches mean?

Cluster headaches are a series of relatively short but very painful headaches every day for weeks or months at a time. You tend to get them at the same time each year, such as in the spring or fall. Because of this, people often mistake cluster headaches for symptoms of allergies or work stress.

How does a cluster headache feel?

Cluster headache pain occurs on one side of the head, but can switch sides in some people, and is generally located behind or around the eye. It is described as a constant and deep burning or piercing pain. People with this pain say it is like a hot poker being stuck into your eye.

Are cluster headaches dangerous?

Relative to other types of primary headaches, cluster headaches are rare. Identifying headache triggers may help prevent their occurrence. A true cluster headache is not life threatening and does not cause permanent brain damage. But, they tend to be chronic, recurrent, and can interfere with your lifestyle or work.

What is the medicine for cluster headache?

There is no cure for cluster headaches, but drugs, such as sumatriptan, and other treatments, including oxygen therapy, can help reduce the incidence and severity of attacks. Treatment aims to relieve some of the symptoms, shorten the periods of headaches, and reduce their frequency.

What is the difference between a cluster and a tension headache?

Tension headaches: A tension headache is characterized by mild to moderate chronic headache pain, often with a band-like tightness discomfort or pain on both sides of the head. Cluster headaches: A cluster headache produces pain on only one side of the head (unilateral).

Can a person have both migraine and cluster headaches?

Epidemiology and genetics in migraine and cluster headache Both migraine and CH can be present from childhood and their prevalence increases until nearly 40 years of age, after which it gradually decreases [3, 5]. Twin studies demonstrate a heritability around 42% for migraine [6].

Which patient is more likely to have a cluster headache?

Men are more likely to have cluster headaches. Age. Most people who develop cluster headaches are between ages 20 and 50, although the condition can develop at any age.

Do cluster headaches qualify for disability?

Nevertheless, it can be hard to get Social Security disability for cluster headaches since a cluster period usually ends within a few months, and Social Security requires that you be disabled for at least 12 months to qualify for benefits.