Cluster Headache
Cluster Headache
Cluster Headache (pronunciation: /ˈklʌstər ˈhedeɪk/) is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, severe headaches on one side of the head, typically around the eye. The name "cluster headache" refers to the clustering of headaches in time, with sufferers often experiencing periods of headache attacks followed by periods of remission.
Etymology
The term "cluster headache" is derived from the characteristic clustering of attacks that sufferers experience. The word "cluster" comes from the Old English cludge, meaning 'a lump or mass', while "headache" comes from the Old English heafodace, meaning 'pain in the head'.
Symptoms
Cluster headaches are marked by severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head, often accompanied by restlessness and agitation. Other symptoms may include redness in the eye on the affected side, tearing, nasal congestion, and sweating on the forehead.
Causes
The exact cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but they are thought to be related to abnormalities in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the body's biological clock.
Treatment
Treatment for cluster headaches typically involves medications to reduce the severity and frequency of attacks. These may include oxygen therapy, triptans, and calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists.
Related Terms
- Migraine: A type of headache characterized by moderate to severe pain, often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Tension headache: A common type of headache characterized by a dull, aching sensation all over the head.
- Trigeminal neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cluster Headache
- Wikipedia's article - Cluster Headache
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