How To Identify Cluster Headaches Before They Get You

Acute Treatment

Although there is no cure for cluster headaches, acute treatment options are designed to reduce the length and severity of the attack. Inhaling one hundred percent oxygen through a mask is an inexpensive and effective treatment that provides significant relief for most who try it. The medication sumatriptan is commonly used to treat cluster headaches. It is available in the form of an injection or nasal spray. Other fast acting treatment methods include the injectable forms of octreotide and dihydroergotamine, as well as local anesthetics such as lidocaine.

Preventative Treatment

There are several preventative treatments available to suppress cluster headache attacks. Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil are usually the first choice. Corticosteroids are used to suppress inflammation, which can be useful for people who suffer from chronic bouts of cluster headaches. However, corticosteroids should not be taken long term. Lithium carbonate is often used to treat bipolar disorder, but it may also be useful in treating cluster headaches. An occipital nerve block may be necessary to provide temporary relief by injecting a numbing agent into the area.