How to Prevent Cluster Headaches

Explore this Article

methods

1Making Lifestyle Changes

2Seeking Medical Treatment

Other Sections

Related Articles

References

Cluster headaches occur in patterns or cycles often referred to as cluster periods. The pain from a cluster headache is usually located on one side of the head and it can be severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep. During a cluster period, which can last for a few weeks to a few months, a person may experience headaches one or more times daily. Although the causes of cluster headaches are unknown, some simple lifestyle changes may help to prevent cluster headaches. Make sure to see a doctor for treatment options as well, such as medications to reduce the frequency of headaches, pain management medications, and devices that may help to relieve pain.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Lifestyle Changes

1. 
   1
   Limit your intake of alcohol and try to avoid it during cluster periods. Alcohol is a known trigger for cluster headaches, so only drink in moderation if you do choose to drink. However, if you’re in a cluster period, it’s best to avoid alcohol entirely since it can bring a cluster headache on quickly. Try switching to mocktails, juice, or non-alcoholic beer while you’re in a cluster period.

   • Moderate drinking is defined as no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks per day for men. One drink is equal to 12  fl oz (350 mL) of beer, 5  fl oz (150 mL) of wine, or 1.5  fl oz (44 mL) of spirits.
   • Be sure to talk with your doctor if you are struggling to avoid drinking alcohol or if you’re drinking to excess.
2. 
   2
   Don’t start smoking if you’re a non-smoker. People who smoke are at a higher risk of getting cluster headaches. Although quitting smoking may not help to prevent cluster headaches, not starting in the first place may reduce your risk.

   • It is still a good idea to quit smoking if you’re a smoker. Talk with your doctor about smoking cessation options, such as medications, nicotine replacement products, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
   • You could also look into support groups in your area for people who are trying to quit smoking. Connecting with other people who are trying to quit may be helpful for you.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Avoid strong-smelling solvents and perfumes. Some people find that strong smells will trigger a cluster headache, so try to avoid strong scents as much as possible. Ensure that there's good ventilation in any areas where you use cleaning products, paint, or other strong solvents.

   • You may also want to avoid using perfumed soaps, cologne, or body spray and ask members of your household to do the same.
   • Try switching to unscented products, such as unscented laundry detergent, unscented hair spray, and unscented moisturizers.
4. 
   4
   Engage in light exercise and avoid becoming overheated. While getting regular exercise is great for your overall health, vigorous exercise that causes you to become overheated may cause a cluster headache. Stick to gentle forms of exercise, such as walking, biking, and swimming. To avoid becoming overheated, only work out in cool weather or an air-conditioned environment.

   • Make sure to drink water before, during, and after your workout to stay hydrated.

   Tip: If you do become overheated during a workout, wrap an ice pack with a thin towel and place it on the back of your neck for about 10 minutes. This will help to cool you down. Take sips of cool water and relax as you do this.
5. 
   5
   Maintain a normal sleep schedule to reduce your risk. Getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night may help to reduce your risk of getting cluster headaches. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time every morning to get adequate rest. Making your bedroom a relaxing space, such as by keeping it clean, cool, dark, and quiet may also help to promote better sleep.

   • Try taking melatonin before bed if you have trouble sleeping. One study showed that taking 9 mg of melatonin daily helped to reduce the incidence of cluster headaches.
   Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Seeking Medical Treatment

1. 
   1
   Make an appointment with your doctor if you have a cluster headache. It’s important to see a doctor after you have had what you suspect is a cluster headache to rule out other conditions and discuss your treatment options. Your doctor may want to run tests, such as a brain scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.

   • Your general practitioner may refer you to a neurologist, which is a doctor who specializes in headaches, brain conditions, and related disorders.
2. 
   2
   Ask about sumatriptan to treat pain caused by cluster headaches. Sumatriptan is available as an injectable or nasal spray to treat pain caused by cluster headaches. This medication is typically used for acute or severe attacks and it works quickly, often within 15 minutes. Ask your doctor about this option for managing pain from cluster headaches.

   • If you aren’t able to tolerate a 6 mg subcutaneous injection, then your doctor will usually switch you to intranasal sumatriptan or zolmitriptan instead.
   • A small percentage of people who used sumatriptan also required oxygen therapy to relieve their pain.
   • Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for how to use this medication.
3. 
   3
   Look into oxygen therapy to manage pain during a cluster headache. Breathing in pure oxygen with a face mask may help to relieve pain from a cluster headache within 15 minutes. However, you will need a prescription for an oxygen tank. Talk to your doctor about using oxygen as a treatment for when cluster headaches strike.

   Tip: Check to see if your insurance will cover an oxygen tank to treat cluster headaches and, if so, what type you can get. Some oxygen tanks are portable, so you can use them on the go.
4. 
   4
   Discuss medications that may help to prevent cluster headaches. There are a few different medications that may help to prevent cluster headaches. Talk with your doctor to find out if any of the available options might be right for you. Some medications that are commonly used to prevent cluster headaches include:

   • Verapamil, which is the most common but you will need to titrate up to stronger doses
   • Corticosteroids, which can help as adjunctive therapy early on
   • Lithium
   • Gabapentin
   • Local anesthetic injections
5. 
   5
   Consider transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (TVNS). You can get a special device by prescription that will stimulate your vagus nerve. The device is roughly the size of a cell phone. You press it against the side of your neck and it stimulates the muscles in your neck with a weak electrical current, which causes the muscles to twitch. This interrupts the pain signals that may be causing your headache.

   • Studies have shown that people who use a TVNS device may experience fewer cluster headaches that are less intense. They are also less likely to need medication to manage their pain.
   • Check to see if your insurance will cover a TVNS device because they can be quite expensive.
   • There hasn’t been consistent evidence to support the effectiveness of TVNS, so it’s typically only used as a last resort treatment.
6. 
   6
   Research surgery if you’ve suffered from cluster headaches for years. In rare cases, implanting a device that will stimulate the vagus nerve regularly may be necessary to prevent cluster headaches. Discuss this option with your doctor if you have suffered from cluster headaches for more than 5 years and nothing seems to prevent them.

   • Keep in mind that this surgery carries risks like any other surgery. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor and consider them carefully before making a decision.
   • You will usually need to go through long-term studies to ensure that surgical options are safe and beneficial.
   Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement