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Chronic Cluster Headache Treatment

A cluster headache is fairly rare condition, according to the Mayo Clinic, that is characterized by a series of rather painful headaches that are "clustered" together. These periods of headaches may last for weeks for some people and months for others. After a person with cluster headaches goes through an episode, the condition essentially goes into a remission period to be followed by another series of cluster headaches. Luckily, there are treatments available for people dealing with this sometimes debilitating condition.

  1. Oxygen Treatment

    • One of the more common treatments for cluster headaches, be them acute or chronic, will involve the use of oxygen. This treatment entails the inhalation of pure oxygen into the respiratory system of the affected individual. When you experience a cluster headache, you only need to breathe in this oxygen to feel its effects. Usually, you'll find relief in about 15 minutes. According to the Mayo Clinic, the only real drawback with this form of treatment is the need for an oxygen administration device to dispense the oxygen when an episode hits. The oxygen administration device is only available through a prescription and can be picked up at your medical facility or pharmaceutical supplier in the form of oxygen cylinders. You will need to consult with a doctor before using this form of treatment.

    Calcium Channel Blockers

    • Your doctor may start you on a calcium channel blocker, like verapamil, to prevent additional flare-ups after a chronic cluster headache. The medication is administered as soon as you experience a cluster headache. You take it daily until you have passed the usual period of time that the cluster headaches affect you, and then the substance is slowly removed from your system.

    Sumatriptan Injections

    • Your doctor may find that a better option for treating chronic cluster headaches is with sumatriptan injections. Sumatriptan, also known by its brand name of Imitrex, is actually a migraine medication that has also produced positive results in cases of cluster headaches. This treatment involved the injection of sumatriptan as soon as you begin to experience the signs and symptoms of a cluster headache. However, sumatriptan has shown better results in people with more acute forms of the condition, but it still may work in case of chronic cluster headaches.

    Zolmitriptan Spray

    • Some people suffering from chronic cluster headaches have found relief through the use of zolmitriptan nasal spray, also referred to as Zomig. Much like the other forms of treatment, zolmitriptan is administered as soon as you begin to feel a cluster headache coming on. It isn't necessarily something you would take on a day-to-day basis, only when symptoms present themselves.

    Steroid Treatment

    • To treat the inflammation and irritation that may be prompting these cluster headaches, your doctor may opt to use some type of steroid treatment, usually in the form of corticosteroids. According to the Mayo Clinic, this mode of care is usually employed at the very beginning of a diagnosis of cluster headaches.

    Prescription Pain Medication

    • Another option available for people living with chronic cluster headaches is some sort of prescription pain medication, such as dihydroergotamine or lidocaine, that would lessen the impact of the headaches. This too would only be used at times of flare-ups.

    Lithium

    • You may also find relief from chronic cluster headaches with the common bipolar medication of lithium. Much like other medications, this too would be taken at the very onset of pain and administered throughout the cluster period to prevent additional flare-ups. However, greater supervision is usually applied during this form of treatment, because lithium isn't without its side effects.

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