As with Migraine, the head pain is just a part of the cluster attack. Knowing what to expect with a cluster attack can help the patient and his/her doctor treat the attacks more effectively. With cluster headaches, as with any other head pain disorder, the keys are the proper diagnosis, a good medical team, patient education, and a good support system. Once diagnosed, most cluster sufferers can be helped with a good treatment regimen that may include preventive medications as well as abortive and/or pain medications. If you suspect you have cluster headaches, and your doctor hasn't been able to help you, the care of a good headache specialist is definitely in order.
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References:
Description from the mid-20th century. "Headache in Clinical Practice, Second Edition." Stephen D. Silberstein, Richard B. Lipton, Peter J. Goadsby. Isis Medical Media, 2002.
"Wolff's Headache and Other Head Pain,"
seventh edition. Stephen D. Silberstein, MD, Richard B. Lipton, MD, and Donald
J. Dalessio, MD. Oxford University Press, 2001.
³ International Headache Society, "The International Classification of Headache
Disorders, Second Edition." Cephalalgia: An International Journal of Headache,
Vol. 24, Supplement 1, 2004.
"An Atlas of Headache." Stephen D. Silberstein, MD; Alan Stiles, DMD; William B Young, MD; Todd D. Rozen, MD. Parthenon Publishing, 2002.
