Anatomy of a Cluster Headache

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.