B- Interventions Related to Cluster Headaches

Cluster Headache

Cluster headache is a very severe unilateral headache seen around or behind the eye. There are typical features of cluster headaches. They occur in attack forms. They generally begin 3-5 hours after falling asleep or in the morning hours, almost every day, at a specific time as if set by an alarm clock. The pain is unilateral and very severe. It is felt mostly around the eye, behind the eye, and in the temple. Along with the headache, there could be redness, bloodshot eyes, tearing, nasal congestion and discharge, sweating on the forehead and face, swelling in the eyelid, and eyelid droopiness. These extremely severe pain crises last between 15 minutes - 3 hours. Afterwards, the patient begins to feel relief within minutes. These attacks can occur once or many times a day or can be alternate days.

Cluster headaches occur in crisis forms lasting several weeks to months. There's a crisis-free period that lasts a few months in between. Crises often last 4-8 weeks, although they can vary between 1 week to 12 months.

Treatment

In the treatment, various medications aimed at reducing the intensity of pain during attacks and preventing the occurrence of attacks can be used. In patients resistant to medication treatment, various nerve blocks such as sphenopalatine ganglion blockage and stellate ganglion blockage can also be applied.