It is inevitable that we sometimes suffer from headaches due to stress, hormones and anxiety. But there is one type of headache that is rare and very painful. This type of headache is called cluster headache and it can start suddenly without any previous symptoms. The pain you will experience will usually start behind one eye but the whole side of your face will become red and swollen.
Cluster headaches are quite frightening to both the person who is suffering and his family because it can occur without even the slightest provocation. You should note though that a cluster headache generally lasts for a few minutes in most cases although some people may suffer from cluster headaches for several hours in severe cases. There is a pattern you should expect when you experience having cluster headaches because it usually occurs on the same time of the day for several weeks. Then the headaches can stop altogether but it can come back after several months.
Right now, there is no sufficient proof that cluster headaches are in any way associated with any other types of diseases. Many believe the cluster headaches are hereditary but poor lifestyle habits can also cause the cluster headaches in some cases. Likewise, it is also observed that heavy smoking, inconsistent sleeping pattern and strong medications can worsen the symptoms of cluster headaches.
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish cluster headaches from other types of headaches because many of the symptoms are similar. But giving an accurate description of the symptoms you are experiencing to your doctor can help him make the correct diagnosis. Recording the pattern of your headaches is very important because cluster headaches occur with a constant pattern everyday. Letting your family members and relatives have a talk with the doctor about your behavior when headaches occur is also essential to be able to distinguish the type of headache you are experiencing.
In addition, some people are embarrassed about some of the actions they do when cluster headaches occur because they sometimes hit their head against the wall or the furniture to relieve the pain. These actions are actually quite common to people who suffers from cluster headaches because the pain they feel is very acute and severe. You should not hide these facts from your doctor so that he will be able to give you the correct medication through judging the severity of your headaches.
If you are diagnosed with cluster headaches, you should expect to take two medicines. One medicine is to reduce the number of headaches you experience during the cluster period and the other medicine is used to relieve the symptoms of the cluster headache. You should note though that medications that are ingested usually take a long time to work. For this reason, your doctor will most likely prescribe a medicine that can be inhaled or injected into the body for the medications to work immediately. Cluster headaches are one of the most painful headaches you will ever experience but with the right treatment and the right attitude, cluster headaches can be prevented in the future.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Headaches [http://headache-guideto.com/]