Cluster Migraine Treatment

What is Cluster Migraine?

Cluster headaches are vascular headaches. Male to female ratio is 5:1. Cluster Migraine can occur at any age including childhood and adolescence. It occur almost daily, clusters are over weeks to months. The pain is severe and comes on suddenly. Pain affects one side of the face. Cluster Migraine is accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, and watery eyes. Cluster Migraine causes in the nerve that carries sensation from the head to the brain. It affects on quality of life, cause depression and worsen job.

Causes of Cluster Migraine

Blood vessels on the brain’s surface expand
Pressure on nerve endings.
Nitroglycerin
Odour
Stress
Heat and cold exposure
Harmonal changes

Symptoms of Cluster Migraine

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stuffy nose and watery eyes
Visual disturbance.
Sweating on the affected side of the face.
High blood pressure
Patients prefer to walk, sit, kneel, stand, or jogging in place
Increased forehead sweating may occur

Treatment for Cluster Migraine

Antinausea medications such as prochlorperazine is used to treated the cluster migraine.
Verapamil is the drug of choice for episodic and chronic types.
Surgical treatment - Percutaneous radio frequency retrogasserian rhizotomy is good results in 70%
The extreme pain can be markedly diminished within 15 minutes by an under-the-skin injection of sumatriptan (Imitrex®).
Treatment for cluster headache is to breathe 100% oxygen for 10-15 minutes.
Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure.
Antiseizure medications such as gabapentin, valproic acid, and carbamazepine.
Intravenous dihydroergotamine 1 mg may provide relief in less than 10 minutes. Intramuscular and intranasal administration take longer to work.
Butorphanol nasal spray may be used to treated this disease.

Herb for Cluster Migraine

Latin name Vitex Agnus castus
Origin Europe, Asia
Part used Seed
Dose 1/2teaspoon per cup
Tincture 2ml, 1-2 times daily
Constituents Volatile oil, alkaloids, bitters
Primary action Hormonal balancer
Secondary actions Anti-spasmodic, Diuretic
How it works - The 'chaste' aspects of the herb refer to its effects on men, where it has a noted sexual sedative quality. Its other name was monk's pepper! Its volatile oil acts on the pituitary gland and its connections with the hypothalamus, increasing dopamine effects in that area. It also increases the activity of luteinising hormone, so increases both progesterone and oestrogen production in the ovary, and it is noted for reducing excessive prolactin. This is what accounts for the hormone balancing effect, and its traditiol,)al use for PMT symptoms, such as breast tenderness and bloating. The diuretic
effect is probably also due to the volatile oil, and contributes to the relief of water retention and bloating. The bitters stimulate digestion, improving fat metabolism and nutrient absorption.