What are Cluster Headaches?

Cluster headaches occur in cyclical patterns or clusters and are known to be one of the most painful types of headaches. This headache usually wakes someone up 2 hours into sleep. The pain intensifies after 5 to 10 minutes and lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. This headache can occur multiple times a day (clusters), and last for 4 to 12 weeks every year. Some symptoms include:

• one-sided pain
• blocked or runny nose
• drooping eyelid - on the same side as the pain
• watering and redness of one eye 
• flushed or sweating face

So, why are we discussing cluster headaches?

One way to treat these painful headaches is with oxygen. At Oxygen One, we have patients who suffer from cluster headaches and use oxygen to treat the pain. Oxygen is actually one of the safest ways to treat cluster headaches. Patients will breathe oxygen in at a rate between 7 and 12 liters per minute. The pain can usually subside within 15 minutes. 

A few of our patients have suggested that Oxygen One start a cluster headache support group. We would be more than willing to do this, but we need your feedback. If you are a patient of ours and you suffer from cluster headaches, would you like to join this support group? 

If this interests you, post in the comment section!