Natural treatments for cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are a debilitating type of headache characterized by severe, unilateral pain, often occurring multiple times a day during episodes that can last for several weeks. While the exact cause remains unclear and no treatment is universally effective, there are various natural approaches that may help alleviate symptoms or reduce the frequency of attacks. Some proposed natural treatments include melatonin, which has shown promise in reducing headache severity in certain studies, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which may help both treat and prevent further attacks. Additionally, magnesium, particularly in intravenous form, has displayed potential for relief. Capsaicin cream applied to the nasal area, vitamin D supplementation, and lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and deep breathing exercises are also suggested. Individuals may benefit from reducing their intake of alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods, which could contribute to cluster headache occurrences. Overall, while natural treatments may offer some relief, their effectiveness can vary among individuals.
Natural treatments for cluster headaches
- DEFINITION: Treatment of severe headaches that strike suddenly after a long time without an episode.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: None
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, magnesium, melatonin, capsaicin cream, vitamin D, breathing exercises, dietary changes
Introduction
First recognized in 1867, cluster headaches remain one of the most painful and frustrating headache syndromes. Their cause is unclear, and no treatment is fully effective. People with cluster headaches may go for more than one year without any attacks, and then suddenly they have headaches that strike several times a day. Each headache lasts from thirty minutes to two hours and consists of severe pain on one side of the head, generally in the eye region. These daily headaches continue for four to eight weeks and then disappear for another year or more. A more chronic, continuous form of cluster headaches can also occur.
Cluster headaches are different from migraine headaches (although they may possess some underlying similarities) and are much more difficult to treat. During cluster headache episodes, rapid-acting treatments are usually used to ease pain and stop the headache. Treatments include aerosolized ergotamine, pure oxygen, lidocaine nasal spray, and anesthetic inhalation. For prevention, drugs such as ergotamine, prednisone, methysergide, and lithium may reduce the severity and frequency of attacks.
Proposed Natural Treatments
Some evidence suggests that people with cluster headaches have lower-than-average levels of the hormone melatonin. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of twenty people with cluster headaches, using melatonin (10 milligrams daily) for fourteen days significantly reduced headache severity or frequency (or both) compared with placebo. About one-half of the participants who were given melatonin responded well to the treatment.
The inhalation of 100 percent oxygen is sometimes used to treat cluster headache attacks. In preliminary controlled trials, using hyperbaric oxygen (oxygen under pressure) not only treated the headaches but also helped prevent further attacks. Similarly, deep breathing exercises were shown to be effective in lessening the symptoms of cluster headaches. The intravenous use of magnesium has shown promise for cluster headache relief. However, the use of oral magnesium has not been evaluated. Capsaicin cream applied to the nose was also shown to be effective in treating cluster headaches. Because some individuals with cluster headaches were reportedly deficient in vitamin D, supplementation may be beneficial. During cluster headache episodes, deep breathing techniques may help to relieve stress and pain. Finally, removing alcohol, caffeine, and highly processed foods from one’s diet may help decrease cluster headache episodes.
Bibliography
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