For a small portion of sufferers, cluster headaches can be a debilitating condition that strikes without warning.  Cluster headaches can strike 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 days or weeks at a time.  The exact cause of cluster headaches is not known, 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 sometimes experiences 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 can become very intense, often times resulting in a pain crisis.  The pain is often intense enough to trigger great emotional stress.  Immediate treatment is very important.  Sedatives and pain killers should be the first line of defense against cluster headaches.

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 should be a mandatory first step.  Although prevention is difficult, cluster headache treatment can reduce the pain of the first attack significantly. 

Frequent cluster headaches should be a signal to see the doctor.  Although cluster headaches may happen totally at random, they may sometimes be a sign of a deeper neurological issue.  If this is the case, it is important that treatment be sought 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 cannot be known for certain, it is thought to play a role, and could potentially have an effect on the cluster variety of headaches.  Significant emotional stress should be managed carefully to prevent a possible cluster headache occurence.