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What Is The Best Medicine For Treating Cluster Headaches?

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Posted on Tue, 24 Dec 2013
Question: My son has cluster headaches and has tried numerous drug and botox. Is there anything new that I can direct him to research? Thank you
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Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Octreotide, O2, Melatonin, Undisturbed sleep, yoga Detailed Answer: Hello, First you have to understand and convince yourself that " There's no cure for cluster headaches". Still the research is going on to find the exact cause of cluster headache. Researches shows that hypothalamus may play a role. Because Cluster attacks usually occur with clock like regularity during a 24-hour day, and the cycle of cluster periods often follows the seasons of the year. These patterns suggest that the body's biological clock is involved. Our goal must be to decrease the severity of pain, shorten the headache period and prevent the attacks. As you said that you have tried all the treatments. You can try the following drugs and methods may be helpful in decreasing the severity of pain, shorten the headache period and prevent the attacks. 1. Octreotide. This is very effective in Cluster headache. 2. Oxygen. Briefly inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask at a minimum rate of at least 12 liters a minute provides dramatic relief 3. Triptans.These are also helpful in cluster headache. 4. Intranasal Local anesthetics We can use Calcium channel blockers, Ergot or Nerve block as preventive for Cluster headache. Recently administration of Melatonin is found to helpful in preventing the episodes of cluster headache. In addition to these, sound undisturbed sleep is essential as it is linked with biological cycle. Avoidance of smoke and alcohol. Relaxing techniques like yoga and meditation are really helpful in reducing the frequency of attacks. Hope this helps. Please reply back for further queries. Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Manjeth Kumar G

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1120 Questions

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What Is The Best Medicine For Treating Cluster Headaches?

Brief Answer: Octreotide, O2, Melatonin, Undisturbed sleep, yoga Detailed Answer: Hello, First you have to understand and convince yourself that " There's no cure for cluster headaches". Still the research is going on to find the exact cause of cluster headache. Researches shows that hypothalamus may play a role. Because Cluster attacks usually occur with clock like regularity during a 24-hour day, and the cycle of cluster periods often follows the seasons of the year. These patterns suggest that the body's biological clock is involved. Our goal must be to decrease the severity of pain, shorten the headache period and prevent the attacks. As you said that you have tried all the treatments. You can try the following drugs and methods may be helpful in decreasing the severity of pain, shorten the headache period and prevent the attacks. 1. Octreotide. This is very effective in Cluster headache. 2. Oxygen. Briefly inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask at a minimum rate of at least 12 liters a minute provides dramatic relief 3. Triptans.These are also helpful in cluster headache. 4. Intranasal Local anesthetics We can use Calcium channel blockers, Ergot or Nerve block as preventive for Cluster headache. Recently administration of Melatonin is found to helpful in preventing the episodes of cluster headache. In addition to these, sound undisturbed sleep is essential as it is linked with biological cycle. Avoidance of smoke and alcohol. Relaxing techniques like yoga and meditation are really helpful in reducing the frequency of attacks. Hope this helps. Please reply back for further queries. Wishing you good health.