TNNME: TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA and ME
  • Intl TN Awareness Petition
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness
    • TN/FP Resources >
      • TN: Working Together >
        • United States Resources
        • Ireland Resources
        • United Kingdom Resources
        • Australia & New Zealand Resources
        • Netherlands Resources
        • Finland Resources
        • Canada Resources
        • Brazil Resources
        • Why Does Pain Get Worse When a Storm Is Coming?
        • TN & Social Security Disability Help
  • International TN & FP Ribbon
    • Countdown Clock
    • Intl TN Awareness Videos
    • Intl TN Magazine
    • Poems by Intl TNers
    • Cherokee Hat Trick by Brian Whitaker
    • Intl Arts 4 a CURE
    • Photos of TN & Facial Pains
    • Author Brian Whitaker: Going Down Short Story >
      • The Pharmacy by Brian Whitaker
      • Gabapentin
      • Shakespeare My TN Buddy
      • Having a Good Time-TN Version
      • 1126 Tomcat Way Full GM Edit
      • Author Brian Whitaker: The Rat
      • There's an elephant on my face
      • TN The Pain Awakens
  • TN Awareness Products
  • What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
    • Facial Pains Disorders
    • Battle Scars of TN and FP
    • Research 4 our CURE
    • Stop It Coffee For A Cause
  • 2022 Light Up Teal 4TN
  • 2021 Light Up Teal 4 TN
  • Our 2021 TN Day
  • 2020 Light Up Teal Trigeminal Neuralgia
    • Lighting Request Info
    • Trigeminal Neuralgia: Why Light Up Teal?
    • Our 2019 TN Awareness Day
    • 2018 Intl Light Up Teal
    • Our 2018 TN Awareness Day >
      • 2017 Light Up Teal 4 TN & FP
      • 2016 Light Up Teal 4 TN
      • 2016 Oct 7 Intl TN Day Events
      • 2016 Intl TN Awareness Day Events
      • 2015 Light Up Teal
      • 2015 TN Day Photos
      • 2014 Light Up Teal
      • Oct 7th 2014 Intl TN Day Photo >
        • 2013 Light Up Teal
        • Betsy Alexander's TN Story
        • Artist Tara Shuey Story
        • Maureen Stone Story
        • Artist Tara: Loved one’s perspectives…………
        • Miriam Fraser's TN Journey
        • Honoring the Taken
        • Rebecca Thorpe Story
        • Nikki Samuel Story
        • Holley Pesina TN Story
        • Susan Wiffill Story
        • Daniel R. "Bob" Snodgrass
        • Frank Skoviera Story
        • Kristina Pelly-Filocamo Story
        • Lagi Leau Story
        • Karen Brigham Story
        • Jennifer Rodgers Houghton Story
        • Dawn Raye Winner
        • Ron Blair Story
      • 2016 Race to Save Face
      • Children & Teens with TN
  • TN: Media Center
    • TN Proclamations
    • Open Letter: Dentist and Oral Surgeons
    • TN & the ER ROOM
    • Open Letter: ER DRs
    • AN OPEN LETTER TO DOCTORS
  • To WHO
    • Hello WHO >
      • TNNME (Toni) Story
      • It's ME on TNnME 10/7/2017
      • 9/21/2016 TNnME Press Release
      • Living in the moment
      • My TN Symptoms
      • Hormones with Trigeminal Neuralgia
      • Trigeminal Neuralgia and Me
      • Cluster Headache Links
      • (CH) Abortive & Preventive treatments
      • Cluster Headache
      • Contact Form
  • Be Strong
  • Intl TN Awareness Petition
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness
    • TN/FP Resources >
      • TN: Working Together >
        • United States Resources
        • Ireland Resources
        • United Kingdom Resources
        • Australia & New Zealand Resources
        • Netherlands Resources
        • Finland Resources
        • Canada Resources
        • Brazil Resources
        • Why Does Pain Get Worse When a Storm Is Coming?
        • TN & Social Security Disability Help
  • International TN & FP Ribbon
    • Countdown Clock
    • Intl TN Awareness Videos
    • Intl TN Magazine
    • Poems by Intl TNers
    • Cherokee Hat Trick by Brian Whitaker
    • Intl Arts 4 a CURE
    • Photos of TN & Facial Pains
    • Author Brian Whitaker: Going Down Short Story >
      • The Pharmacy by Brian Whitaker
      • Gabapentin
      • Shakespeare My TN Buddy
      • Having a Good Time-TN Version
      • 1126 Tomcat Way Full GM Edit
      • Author Brian Whitaker: The Rat
      • There's an elephant on my face
      • TN The Pain Awakens
  • TN Awareness Products
  • What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
    • Facial Pains Disorders
    • Battle Scars of TN and FP
    • Research 4 our CURE
    • Stop It Coffee For A Cause
  • 2022 Light Up Teal 4TN
  • 2021 Light Up Teal 4 TN
  • Our 2021 TN Day
  • 2020 Light Up Teal Trigeminal Neuralgia
    • Lighting Request Info
    • Trigeminal Neuralgia: Why Light Up Teal?
    • Our 2019 TN Awareness Day
    • 2018 Intl Light Up Teal
    • Our 2018 TN Awareness Day >
      • 2017 Light Up Teal 4 TN & FP
      • 2016 Light Up Teal 4 TN
      • 2016 Oct 7 Intl TN Day Events
      • 2016 Intl TN Awareness Day Events
      • 2015 Light Up Teal
      • 2015 TN Day Photos
      • 2014 Light Up Teal
      • Oct 7th 2014 Intl TN Day Photo >
        • 2013 Light Up Teal
        • Betsy Alexander's TN Story
        • Artist Tara Shuey Story
        • Maureen Stone Story
        • Artist Tara: Loved one’s perspectives…………
        • Miriam Fraser's TN Journey
        • Honoring the Taken
        • Rebecca Thorpe Story
        • Nikki Samuel Story
        • Holley Pesina TN Story
        • Susan Wiffill Story
        • Daniel R. "Bob" Snodgrass
        • Frank Skoviera Story
        • Kristina Pelly-Filocamo Story
        • Lagi Leau Story
        • Karen Brigham Story
        • Jennifer Rodgers Houghton Story
        • Dawn Raye Winner
        • Ron Blair Story
      • 2016 Race to Save Face
      • Children & Teens with TN
  • TN: Media Center
    • TN Proclamations
    • Open Letter: Dentist and Oral Surgeons
    • TN & the ER ROOM
    • Open Letter: ER DRs
    • AN OPEN LETTER TO DOCTORS
  • To WHO
    • Hello WHO >
      • TNNME (Toni) Story
      • It's ME on TNnME 10/7/2017
      • 9/21/2016 TNnME Press Release
      • Living in the moment
      • My TN Symptoms
      • Hormones with Trigeminal Neuralgia
      • Trigeminal Neuralgia and Me
      • Cluster Headache Links
      • (CH) Abortive & Preventive treatments
      • Cluster Headache
      • Contact Form
  • Be Strong
TNNME: TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA and ME

Cluster Headaches!

​A cluster headache is one-sided head pain that may involve tearing of the eyes and a stuffy nose. Attacks occur regularly for 1 week to 1 year, separated by long pain-free periods that last at least 1 month, possibly longer.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Cluster headaches are a fairly common form of chronic, repeated headaches. They are four times more common in men than women. The headaches can occur at any age but are most common in adolescence and middle age. They tend to run in families, passed down through genes.

Scientists do not know exactly what causes cluster headaches, but they appear to be related to the body's sudden release of histamine or serotonin. A problem in a small area at the base of the brain called the hypothalamus may be involved.

The following may trigger cluster attacks: Alcohol, cigarette smoking, high altitudes, bright lights, heat.

A cluster headache begins as a severe, sudden headache. The headache most commonly strikes 2 to 3 hours after you fall asleep. However, the headache may occur while you are awake. The headache tends to occur at the same time of day.
The pain occurs on one side of the head. It may be described as: Burning, sharp and steady chronic pain.

The pain may occur in, behind, and around one eye. It may: Involve one side of the face from neck to temples. 
  • The strongest chronic pain may last 30 minutes to 2 hours.
The eye and nose on the same side as the head pain may also be affected. Symptoms can include: Swelling under or around the eye or both, excessive tearing.
  • Cluster headaches may occur daily for months, alternating with periods without headaches (episodic), or they can recur for a year or more without stopping (chronic).

Signs and tests your health care provider can diagnose this type of headache by performing a physical exam and asking questions about your symptoms and medical history.

Tests, such as an MRI of the head, may be needed to rule out other causes of the headaches.

Your doctor may recommend the following treatments for when the headaches occurs:


  • Triptans, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex)
  • Two to 3 weeks of anti-inflammatory (steroid) medicines such as prednisone -- starting with a high dose, then slowly decreasing it
  • Breathing in 100% (pure) oxygen
  • You may need more than one of these treatments to control headache symptoms. Your doctor may have you try several medications before deciding which works best for you.

Painkillers and narcotics do not usually relieve the chronic pain from cluster headaches. Generally, they take too long to work.

 A headache diary can help you identify your headache triggers. When you get a headache, write down the day and time the pain began. The diary should include notes about:


  • What you ate and drank in the last 24 hours, how much you slept and when, and what was going on in your life right before the pain started. For example, were you under any unusual stress?
  • About how long the headache lasted, and what made it stop.

 Calling your health care provider Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

  • Cluster headaches do not respond to treatment
  • Headaches disturb your sleep
  • You get headaches whenever you are active
  • Headaches occur with other symptoms
Picture
​All information contained on TNnME web site is for informational purposes only and at no time should any content on TNNME be considered medical or legal advice or imply any action should be taken. It is in no way intended to be used as a replacement for professional medical treatment. TNnME makes no claims as to the scientific/clinical validity of the information on this site OR to that of the information linked to and from this site.  All information taken from the internet should be discussed with a medical professional! ​
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.