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Diseases » Cluster headache » Treatments
 

Treatments for Cluster headache

Treatments for Cluster headache

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Cluster headache includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

  • Medications
  • Sumatriptan
  • Dihydroergotamine (injected) - a form of ergotamine tartrate
  • Methysergide
  • Corticosteroids - pills or injections
  • Oxygen inhalation
  • Facial nerve surgery
  • During the onset of a cluster headache, some patients respond to rapid inhalation of pure oxygen(12-15 litres per minute in a non-rebreathing mask)
  • Beta blockers

Cluster headache: Is the Diagnosis Correct?

The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Cluster headache may include:

Hidden causes of Cluster headache may be incorrectly diagnosed:

Cluster headache: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Cluster headache:

Cluster headache: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Drugs and Medications used to treat Cluster headache:

Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.

Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Cluster headache include:

  • Ergotamine
  • Bellamine
  • Bellaspas
  • Bellergal
  • Bellergal-S
  • Bellergal Spacetabs
  • Cafergot
  • Cafergot P-B
  • Cafetrate
  • Drummergal
  • Duragal-S
  • Ercaf
  • Ergobel
  • Ergocaf
  • Ergodryl
  • Ergomar
  • Ergostat
  • Genergen
  • Gravergol
  • Gynergen
  • Medihaler Ergotamine
  • Megral
  • Oxoid
  • Phenerbrel-S
  • Spastrin
  • Wigraine
  • Wigrettes
  • Sumatriptan
  • Imitrex
  • Imitrex Nasal Spray
  • Sumatriptan Succinate
  • Imigran

Unlabeled Drugs and Medications to treat Cluster headache:

Unlabelled alternative drug treatments for Cluster headache include:

Latest treatments for Cluster headache:

The following are some of the latest treatments for Cluster headache:

Hospital statistics for Cluster headache:

These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Cluster headache:

  • 0.004% (485) of hospital consultant episodes were for cluster headache syndrome in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • 85% of hospital consultant episodes for cluster headache syndrome required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • 39% of hospital consultant episodes for cluster headache syndrome were for cluster headache syndrome men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • 61% of hospital consultant episodes for cluster headache syndrome were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • 82% of hospital consultant episodes for cluster headache syndrome required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • more hospital information...»

Discussion of treatments for Cluster headache:

Headache - Hope Through Research: NINDS (Excerpt)

The sudden start and brief duration of cluster headaches can make them difficult to treat; however, research scientists have identified several effective drugs for these headaches. The antimigraine drug sumatriptan can subdue a cluster, if taken at the first sign of an attack. Injections of dihydroergotamine, a form of ergotamine tartrate, are sometimes used to treat clusters. Corticosteroids also can be used, either orally or by intramuscular injection. (Source: excerpt from Headache - Hope Through Research: NINDS)

Headache - Hope Through Research: NINDS (Excerpt)

Another option that works for some cluster patients is rapid inhalation of pure oxygen through a mask for 5 to 15 minutes. The oxygen seems to ease the pain of cluster headache by reducing blood flow to the brain.

In chronic cases of cluster headache, certain facial nerves may be surgically cut or destroyed to provide relief. These procedures have had limited success. Some cluster patients have had facial nerves cut only to have them

regenerate years later. (Source: excerpt from Headache - Hope Through Research: NINDS)

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Book Excerpts: Treatment of Cluster headache

Treatments of Cluster headache: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Cluster headache.

Headache: Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

  • Tension-type headache: Regular exercise, stress management, tricyclic antidepressants, analgesics
  • Migraine headache: Avoid triggers; serotonin agonists (e.g., sumatriptan), NSAIDs, ergotomines
  • Temporal arteritis: High-dose corticosteroids
    • Meningitis: Search for and treat the primary source (e.g., pneumonia, sinusitis, neoplasm)
      –Urgent antimicrobial administration for infections
      –Treat inflammatory causes with steroids
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage requires attention to airway, breathing, and circulation, and management of increased intracranial pressure (maintain normal blood pressure; hypertension may cause the aneurysm to rebleed, hypotension may cause cerebral ischemia); administer nimodipine to prevent cerebral vasospasm, seizure prophylaxis with IV phenytoin, surgery
  • Cluster headache: Oxygen inhalation for 5–10 minutes; serotonin agonists, ergotamines, and/or methysergide

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004

Headache: Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

  • Explanation and reassurance alone may provide relief
  • Avoid triggers
    –Trauma, sunlight, insomnia, stress, diet, dehydration
  • Symptomatic treatment:
    –Acetominophen, NSAIDs, Midrin, Fioricet, Fiorinal
    –Selective serotonin-1 receptor agonists
    –Dihydroergotamine (DHE); Migranal nasal spray
    –Antiemetics
  • Prophylaxis
    –NSAIDs, β-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, cyproheptadine, calcium channel blockers, antiepileptic drugs, biofeedback
    • Cluster headaches
      –Treated with inhalation of oxygen; sumatriptan
    • Pseudotumor
      –Weight reduction, Diamox
      –Optic nerve sheath decompression or shunting
    >>

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Encephalitis: Treatment (Tx)
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Anticonvulsants, acyclovir (if viral), glucocorticoids, mannitol, furosemide, supportive care (mild analgesics, bed rest, seizure precautions)

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Headache: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Depending on the type of headache, analgesics — ranging from aspirin to codeine or meperidine — may provide symptomatic relief. Other measures include identification and elimination of causative factors and, possibly, psychotherapy for headaches caused by emotional stress. Chronic tension headaches may also require muscle relaxants.

For migraine headaches, ergotamine alone or with caffeine may be an effective treatment. The Food and Drug Administration allows labeling of various analgesic preparations that include caffeine to state that they’re for the treatment of migraine headaches. Remember that these medications can’t be taken by pregnant women because they stimulate uterine contractions. These drugs and others, such as metoclopramide or naproxen, work best when taken early in the course of an attack. If nausea and vomiting make oral administration impossible, drugs may be given as rectal suppositories.

Drugs in the class of sumatriptan are considered by many clinicians to be the drug of choice for acute migraine attacks or cluster headaches. Drugs that can help prevent migraine headaches include antidepressants (such as nortriptyline or fluoxetine), beta blockers (propranolol), and calcium-channel blockers (verapamil). Corticosteroids provide short-term relief for some patients with cluster headaches.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

West Nile encephalitis: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

There is no specific therapy utilized to treat West Nile encephalitis and no known cure. Treatment is generally aimed at controlling the specific symptoms. Supportive care, such as I.V. fluids, fever control, and respiratory support, is rendered when necessary.

There is no vaccine present to prevent the transmission of West Nile encephalitis. Research trials are underway to determine if ribavirin, an antiviral drug, may be helpful.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Encephalitis: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

The antiviral agent acyclovir is effective only against herpes encephalitis. Treatment of all other forms of encephalitis is entirely supportive.

Drug therapy includes phenytoin or another anticonvulsant, usually given I.V.; glucocorticoids to reduce cerebral inflammation and edema; furosemide or mannitol to reduce cerebral swelling; sedatives for restlessness; and aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve headache and reduce fever.

Other supportive measures include adequate fluid and electrolyte intake to prevent dehydration and antibiotics for an associated infection such as pneumonia. Isolation is unnecessary.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Headache: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

Depending on the type of headache, treatment interventions range from relaxation techniques, massage, and biofeedback to pharmacologic agents. Tricyclic antidepressants, beta-adrenergic blockers, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed for headache prevention; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), combination NSAIDs with caffeine, ergotamines, and dopamine antagonists  may be used for abortive measures. Narcotic agents are generally avoided or may be limited to twice weekly.

Abortive therapy using the synthetic form of serotonin (sumatriptan) is available in an oral form and as a nasal spray and can easily be carried for immediate use.

Other measures include identification and elimination of causative factors, stressors, or stimuli that might trigger an attack such as in the migraine-type headache. Diet history and examination of lifestyle patterns may help identify causative agents.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

West Nile encephalitis: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

No specific therapy is used to treat West Nile encephalitis, and no known cure exists. Treatment is generally aimed at controlling the specific symptoms. Supportive care, such as intravenous fluids, fever control, and respiratory support, is rendered when necessary.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Headache: Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Teach the patient and his family or caregiver how to recognize signs of reduced LOC and seizures. Discuss ways to maintain a safe, quiet environment and reduce environmental stress, if indicated. Discuss the use of analgesics to ease the headache.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007

Headache: Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

▪ Monitor the patient's vital signs and LOC.

▪ Watch for a change in the headache's severity or location.

▪ To help ease the headache, administer an analgesic, darken the patient's room, and minimize other stimuli.

▪ Prepare the patient for diagnostic tests, such as skull X-rays, a computed to-mography scan, lumbar puncture, or cerebral arteriography.

Patient teaching

▪ Explain all procedures and treatments to the patient.

▪ Discuss the signs of reduced LOC and seizures that the patient or his caregivers should report.

▪ Explain ways to maintain a safe, quiet environment and reduce environmental stress.

▪ Discuss the proper use of analgesics.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007



 » Next page: Alternative Treatments for Cluster headache

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