For a small segment of the population, cluster headaches can be a debilitating condition that strikes without warning.  Cluster headaches attack at seemingly random intervals, for which the name “cluster” is given.  Patients are known to live for years without a problem, and suddenly suffer them for a period of weeks on end.  The cause behind cluster headaches remains a mystery, although it is thought that stress, alcohol, and drugs can all play a role in promoting an attack.  Even without these factors, however, a cluster headache can strike a patient at any time.  A cluster headache can be easily identified by the pain level.

A sufferer of a cluster headache will often have a runny nose or eyes.  The pain tends to focus behind one eye, and can be explained as like having an icepick driven into the eye.  This extremely uncomfortable sensation sometimes becomes very painful, often times triggering a pain crisis in the patient.  The pain is often intense enough to cause irrational behavior and extreme reactions.  Immediate treatment is very important.  Sedatives and pain killers can do a great deal to mitigate the devastating pain frequently associated with a cluster headache.

Cluster headache treatment is not an exact science.  Instead of always remaining on medication, cluster headache treatment is typically limited to lifestyle choices.  Avoiding drugs and alcohol is an important first step in avoiding a triggering of cluster headaches.  Although prevention is difficult, cluster headache treatment measures such as powerful pain killers can be necessary to have on hand. 

Frequent cluster headaches should be a signal to see the doctor.  Although cluster headaches can occur without any discernable cause, they may sometimes be a sign of a deeper neurological issue.  If this is the case, patients should see a doctor as soon as possible.  Some forms of stress management may also be considered effective cluster headache treatment.  Although the role of stress in cluster headache treatment is not certain, it is known to play a role in other headaches, and could potentially have an effect on the cluster variety of headaches.  Significant emotional stress is known to cause a variety of physiological symptoms, and could play an important role in cluster headaches as well.