headaches everyday

Cluster headache is pronounced to be the worst category of headaches because of the excruciating pain that it may cause. It is therefore also called as “suicide headache” by the patients who experience the worst pain during its attack. Scientifically, it is a neurological disease in which the headaches occur periodically. The duration range of these headaches can be as short as 15 minutes and can last up to 3 hours or more. The intensity of the pain is quite high and unilateral.

The cause of these painful headaches could not be established yet scientifically. But researchers have reported some of the possible cluster headache causes. Since the attacks of the cluster headache occur at exact regular intervals and follow a clocklike pattern, it can be concluded that it is connected to the biological clock of the body. In human beings, the biological clock is located in the hypothalamus – positioned at the center of the brain. Doctors suggest that abnormalities arising in the hypothalamus can be the major cause of these headaches. There is an increased activity in the hypothalamus region during the cluster attack.

Studies confirm that these headaches unlike tension headache or migraine are not caused due to triggers such as hormonal changes, stress or food. The two parts of the body that are believed to be involved in this type of headache are – autonomic nervous system and the trigeminal nerve. The autonomic nervous system controls most of the important body functions such as digestion, body temperature and heart rate. The trigeminal nerve provides the sensation to the facial area. Stimulating any of these parts causes the symptoms similar to that of cluster headache. Therefore, it can be concluded that disturbances in these parts cluster headache causes.

The other clue that approximates the cause of cluster headache is the blood clotting or cold spot development in the thermograms due to reduced flow of the blood above the eye area.  This causes the swelling near the eye area or hazel eyes which is also the symptom of cluster headache.

Although there are no specific causes determined behind cluster headache but there are certainly some factors that enhance the risk of developing cluster headache. These risk factors include:

• Chain smoking and alcohol addiction
• Abnormal sleep patterns
• Hazel eyes
• Family history or heredity of cluster headache
• Specific medications such as nitroglycerin
• Gender – Men are more likely to be affected by cluster headache than women
• Age – Most of the cluster headache patients first diagnosed this disorder in their late 20′s.

Research studies may have offered several clues to the cluster headache causes but its exact cause is yet to be proved scientifically. However, there are several risk factors involved. Whatever may be the cause but one must be extremely cautious of the risk factors and take immediate measures to prevent its further development through corrective treatment.

Cluster headache is a unilateral high intensity form of headache. This type of headache has the tendency to occur periodically in the cyclic form of peak period and spontaneous diminution. The exact cause of this headache is not known till date. However, with evidences from the past records, it can be concluded that this headache is basically related to neurological disorders. The symptoms of this type of headache approximate to that of migraine but the sharp pain may surpass the severe pains of migraine.  Experts even suggest that the debilitating pain of cluster headache may be the most painful condition ever known to medical science.

Since the cause and symptoms of cluster headache cannot be scientifically concluded, therefore subsequent treatment options are also limited. The victims of cluster headache do not usually find relief from the usual treatment methods. However, in desperation during the attack, the sufferers mostly rely on the medicines for temporary relief. Since this type of headache is abrupt and can aggravate and subside at any point of time, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or aspirin may not prove to be effective. The headache subsides even before the drug starts to work. However, there are other types of acute Cluster headache Medicine that may provide some relief:

• Triptans: Triptan medications such as sumatriptan and zolmitriptan can be taken in the form of injection, tablet or nasal spray. It must be taken under strict medical supervision. Sumatriptan is not recommended if the victim is already suffering from high blood pressure or heart problems.

• Octreotide: This drug is the synthetic version of a brain hormone called somatostatin. It can be injected to provide Cluster Headache Relief too. It is safe for patients with high blood pressure and heart diseases.

• Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E): This drug is available in the form of inhalers and injections. This medication is an effective pain reliever for cluster headache sufferers.

• Corticosteroids: This drug belongs to the family of steroids and is a fast acting, preventive, inflammation-suppressing drug. This medication is suggested for people who are at the early stages of cluster headache. It is effective for patients suffering from short durations of headache with long remissions. This drug may provide immediate relief but must not be used for long term as its side effects are perilous to health.

• Lithium carbonate: Lithobids are effective in preventing cluster headache. Its side effects include increased urination, tremors and diarrhea. Therefore it must be taken only after consulting a doctor for proper dosage to reduce long term side effects.

This fast acting acute and preventive Cluster headache Medicine may help minimize the terrible pains of cluster headache but cannot be perceived as long term permanent option. It may have some critical long term side effects. Other options of treatment for cluster headache must be availed to shelve it off permanently.

Cluster headache is a neurological disorder that involves frequent attacks of pain caused due to severe headache. These attacks are rapid and the pain is piercing or drilling in nature. There are no preliminary signs associated with it and the pain is often located behind the eye or in the temple region. The cluster patients are completely disabled by the terrible bouts of pain frequenting two to twenty times in a week for short or long durations.

Cluster headaches are incurable as of now as its major cause and the treatment are not yet instituted by the researchers. Studies and researches are being carried out by the scientists to provide a break-through treatment for this type of headache. Many of the sufferers reach out for different treatment options but do not find complete relief in any of them. It is because of the recurring nature of the cluster headache. There are some popular alternatives which provide temporary Cluster Headache relief to the patients but they do not last long.

Many of the cluster patients try different medications such as Tylenol and aspirin in an attempt to ease the pain. These over-the-counter drugs relieve the patients of the headache only temporarily but they do not witness any permanent Cluster Headache relief.

Surgery is a rare treatment opted by the patients to get relieved of the cluster pain. It is undertaken in extreme cases of chronic cluster headache where certain facial nerves passing pain messages may be destroyed or cut to provide the relief. Surgery may offer relief for a longer duration than medication but may pose several risks to the health of the patient and may even be life-threatening.

Regular exercise and balanced lifestyle are also other methods to get the Cluster Headache Relief. These options are only the prevent headache measures and do not help during the actual pain duration.

Intake of pure oxygen during the attack is said to provide immense relief to the patients. The oxygen mask can be put on immediately after the headache starts. 70% of the cases are reported to feel relieved with this option. Self help methods or home remedies for headaches sometimes also give the much needed relief from the pain.

Local anesthesia has numbing effects and may prove to be effective pain reliever against cluster pain.

For most of the patients, the usual methods of treatment provide only temporary relief. The sufferers look forward to a permanent solution to this problem. The treatment must address the underlying causes of pain and provide long lasting Cluster Headache relief to the patients. After years of studies and research, it is expected that treatment of cluster headache may be possible in near future so that the patients may be relieved of the daunting pain.

Exertional headache is a syndrome associated with some physical activity. The headache becomes severe after doing a strenuous exercise or any other demanding activity.  Exercising in hot weather and high altitude can increase the severity of headache. Running, weightlifting, diving, sneezing, coughing and straining with bowel movements can aggravate this syndrome.  Exertional headache can be a symptom of brain abnormalities or some other disease. Exertional headache treatment is important to get relief from this headache.

Treating benign exertional headache

If you get a headache after doing some physical activity, you need to contact your physician. The doctor will ask you some questions like

• What type of activity triggers your headache?
• How fast it reaches the peak
• How long it lasts after you stop doing the activity?

The doctor diagnoses whether your headache is associated with physical activity or is a symptom of any other disorder and then start providing treatment.

Learning some relaxation techniques can help you get relief from mild or benign exertional headache. Taking rest in a quiet dark room, massaging back of your neck and temples and a hot shower bath can help you get relief from this headache.  Warming up before exercise, losing weight, avoiding heat and humidity can also help treat primary benign exertional headache.

Medications

If your headache occurs predictably, treatment can be administered prior to physical activity exertional headache treatment may involve medications, if it is severe. Your doctor may prescribe you to take non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs like Aleve, Anaprox and Flaxen to reduce the severity of headache. The anti inflammatory medications must be taken one or two hours before doing a strenuous physical activity. Aspirin, ibuprofen and ergotamine may also be recommended to relieve your exertional headache.

Exertional headache treatment is generally similar to that of migraine headache and severe muscle contraction. Medications prove to be helpful to relieve exertional headache caused by a sexual activity.

Counseling

In some cases, counseling may be required along with medication treatment. Counseling helps to get relief, especially if your headache is induced by anxiety and other psychological factors.

Therapies

If your headache is frequent and not always predictable, your physician may suggest preventative therapy. You may need to take non steroidal anti inflammatory drug like indomethacin daily at 25 mg or 50 mg three times a day.

Treating secondary exertion headache

Exertional headache treatment is crucial, if it belongs to secondary type. It is caused by sinus disease, abnormalities inside your body vessels, malignant tumors and subarachnoid hemorrhage are some of the root causes of exertion headache. The doctor will recommend you to undergo an imaging test to diagnose the exact root cause of secondary headache.

A deep pain in the cheekbones and forehead and pressure in the face are the symptoms of sinus headache. Pain becomes worse, if you move your head or bend forward. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms like facial swelling, fever, nasal stuffiness and nasal discharge. A feeling of fullness in the ears is not uncommon. If you are diagnosed with this type of headache, you can try some effective ways for sinus headache relief.

• Treating sinus inflammation

Treating the underlying sinus inflammation is the best way to get sinus headache relief. Your physician may prescribe antibiotics to treat the sinus headache symptoms. If you suffer from acute sinus headache, you may need to take antibiotics for 10 to 14 days. If it is chronic, you may need to take antibiotics for 3 to 4 weeks.

• Decongestants

Decongestants are often an useful method for sinus headache relief. They stiffen the blood vessels that cause sinus headache. However, use of decongestant can become a habit. Some people tend to use it even if they do not have a headache.

• Pain reliever

Some over the counter pain relievers can help reduce sinus headache. Aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are the major ingredients in such pain killers. However, you should not use them for more than 10 days. It is not advisable to take pain relievers, if you are pregnant.

• Lifestyle changes

Some simple lifestyle changes can be the best ways for sinus headache relief. You can use a humidifier to keep your nasal passage moist. You can use a bulb syringe to rinse out your sinus with salt water. Salt water moistens your nasal passage and reduces the pressure. If you are comfortable with a bulb syringe, you can use a saline nasal spray.    Some chemicals, perfume and smoking can aggravate sinus headache symptoms. Hence, it is advisable to stay away from such irritants.

• Home remedies

Steam inhalation is an effective way that helps reduce sinus headache pain. You can use some essential oils like eucalyptus, camphor and cinnamon while inhaling steam. Increasing the consumptions of foods rich in Vitamin C can help reduce sinus headache. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight the sinus infection and boosts your immune system. Taking lemon grass tea can also help reduce sinus headache.

Pepper and ginger are more effective in providing relief from sinus headache. You can add pepper in soups and take them warm to get relief from nasal congestion and other sinus symptoms. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that help you get relief from headache.

Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that helps treat sinus headache. Applying the paste of powdered cinnamon and water on the forehead is one of the safest and most effective ways for sinus headache relief.