What is behind the dreaded Cluster Headache?
Just what causes one person to be a cluster headache sufferer? As with many headache disorders, the cause of cluster headache is not completely understood. But we are getting closer.
So here’s the question – what parts of the body are involved in the cluster attack? And how are they involved?
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1. The hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is now thought to be the launching pad of the cluster attack. It first becomes a suspect because it controls your 24 hour clock. Cluster is a very regular disorder, in that it comes in cycles (hence the name – cluster).
About the size of a almond, the hypothalamus is found right above the brain stem. Thanks to modern imaging techniques, we can see differences in the brain of a cluster headache sufferer.
2. The trigeminal nerve: Parts of the trigeminal nerve are activated during a cluster attack. This is a very important nerve in your face and jaw. It’s involved in the eye pain, tearing and redness of cluster. It can also help bring on the congestion.
3. The sphenopalatine ganglion: A “ganglion” is a group of nerve cells. This particular ganglion is located behind the nose. Some cluster patients have found relief after surgery on the sphenopalatine ganglion.
4. Blood vessels: Changes in blood flow may be involved in cluster, but we know now it’s not as central as we once thought. There can be changes in blood flow, but the question is whether or not this is a result of an attack or a part of the cause.
5. Histamine: Histamine has been a suspect because you can sometimes trigger an attack with histamine. However, so far research has not been convincing.
We’re learning more and more about just how the hypothalamus is activating during a cluster attack. Thanks to modern imaging and analyzing techniques (such as voxel based morphometry), we can see more of what goes on during an attack. This has led to better treatments, but we still have a long way to go.
16 November 2013 @ 1:12 pm
Hey there!
I really like this page of information about cluster headaches and want to add it to my website for cluster headaches. I am a 38 year sufferer of CH and want to help others with my websites I also have another website http://www.clusterheadachefoundation.org to help cluster headache patients and all that are involved with CH.
Please let me know if I can link this page and if this is acceptable.
Thank you…John Fletcher
16 November 2013 @ 2:01 pm
Sure, John, you’re welcome to post a link. 🙂
18 February 2015 @ 7:49 am
Thank you for a good article!
10 February 2016 @ 4:07 am
Hi. This is my third week in my cluster cycle. It’s about three a.m. luckily tonight isn’t nearly as bad as the last few nights. But I’m done with sleep. If I don’t sleep, it seems, the monster can’t sneak up so easily. Thank you for this info. I have been studying the hypothalamus now for quite some time. After 40 years and lots of medications under the cluster bridge, I’m almost ready to visit the Mayo for electronic implants. I am gonna win this fight.
20 May 2016 @ 3:37 pm
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/drugs-inc/videos/magic-mushroom-medicine/
This is what stopped my cluster headaches… pain free!
Helpful Article Links/Videos – Cluster Headache Foundation Inc.
3 April 2016 @ 10:23 am
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Helpful Article Links/Videos – Cluster Headache Foundation Inc.
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