Cluster Headaches vs. Migraine Headache
Cluster headaches vs. Migraine headaches
Stephanie Owens
Com/155
February 7, 2013
Beth Wolpman, Ed.D.
Cluster headaches vs. Migraine headaches
Two of the most painful headaches a person can suffer with are cluster and migraine headaches. Cluster headaches are the most painful headaches someone can have, the pain is worse than a women giving birth to a child or broken bones. As with a migraine headache, the pain is like your head has been squeezed in a vise. There are treatment and preventive options available to anyone who has cluster headaches as well as migraine headaches, and they will vary. Even though these two types of headaches have some similarities, they also are different.
Cluster headaches are the most uncommon headaches. Only 0.1% of the population is affected by clusters (O.U.C.H, 2012) whereas; about 29.5 million people suffer from migraines (National Headache Foundation, 2013). Cluster headaches are sometimes referred to as “suicide headaches” because some people have taken their lives either during an attack or in anticipation of an attack (Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 2011). Migraines have been referred to as “the sick headache” because they are usually accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Doctor’s do not know the exact cause of cluster headaches, but according to Cleveland Foundation (2011),” the headaches occur when a trigeminal-autonomic reflex pathway in the brainstem is activated”. Although much about the cause of migraines isn’t understood, genetics and environmental factors seem to play a role (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Interactions with the Trigeminal nerve and changes in the brainstem may be involved as well as imbalances in the brain chemicals, including Serotonin. Serotonin levels seem to drop during a migraine, and this could trigger the trigeminal system to release substances called Neuropeptides. Cluster headache attacks, also known as cluster periods or cluster cycles, will usually last anywhere from weeks to
Stephanie Owens
Com/155
February 7, 2013
Beth Wolpman, Ed.D.
Cluster headaches vs. Migraine headaches
Two of the most painful headaches a person can suffer with are cluster and migraine headaches. Cluster headaches are the most painful headaches someone can have, the pain is worse than a women giving birth to a child or broken bones. As with a migraine headache, the pain is like your head has been squeezed in a vise. There are treatment and preventive options available to anyone who has cluster headaches as well as migraine headaches, and they will vary. Even though these two types of headaches have some similarities, they also are different.
Cluster headaches are the most uncommon headaches. Only 0.1% of the population is affected by clusters (O.U.C.H, 2012) whereas; about 29.5 million people suffer from migraines (National Headache Foundation, 2013). Cluster headaches are sometimes referred to as “suicide headaches” because some people have taken their lives either during an attack or in anticipation of an attack (Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 2011). Migraines have been referred to as “the sick headache” because they are usually accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Doctor’s do not know the exact cause of cluster headaches, but according to Cleveland Foundation (2011),” the headaches occur when a trigeminal-autonomic reflex pathway in the brainstem is activated”. Although much about the cause of migraines isn’t understood, genetics and environmental factors seem to play a role (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Interactions with the Trigeminal nerve and changes in the brainstem may be involved as well as imbalances in the brain chemicals, including Serotonin. Serotonin levels seem to drop during a migraine, and this could trigger the trigeminal system to release substances called Neuropeptides. Cluster headache attacks, also known as cluster periods or cluster cycles, will usually last anywhere from weeks to
References: Migraine. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/migraine-headache/DS00120 Cluster Headache. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487 Cluster Headaches.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.clusterheadaches.com/ Cluster Headaches. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/cluster_headaches/hic_cluster_headaches.aspx Wood. S. (2011). Primary headache disorders. Practice Nurse, 41(5), 12-17. Migraine. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Migraine Cluster Headaches. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Cluster_Headaches O.U.C.H. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ouch-us.org Headache and Migraine. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pdrhealth.com/diseases/headache-and-migraine/treatment