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Introduction to Cluster Headache and Cluster Headache Abortive Medication

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Abstract

Cluster headache is among the most severe pains known to mankind. It is characterized by excruciating, debilitating pain lasting from 15 to 180 minutes, and occasionally longer. The pain is usually located around or through one eye, or on the temple. The series of cluster headaches usually lasts several weeks to several months, once or twice per year. Clusters may occur every other year, or even less frequently. Several of the following are usually present: lacrimation, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, conjunctival injection, ptosis, miosis of the pupil, or forehead and facial sweating. Nausea, bradycardia, and general perspiration also occur in many patients. Attacks usually recur on the same side of the head. Cluster headaches tend to occur more in spring and fall. There is usually no family history of cluster headache, but occasionally there is such a family history.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL, USA

    Lawrence D. Robbins M.D. (Assistant Professor of Neurology, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology, Director)

  2. University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA

    Lawrence D. Robbins M.D. (Assistant Professor of Neurology, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology, Director)

  3. Robbins Headache Clinic, Northbrook, IL, USA

    Lawrence D. Robbins M.D. (Assistant Professor of Neurology, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology, Director)

Authors
  1. Lawrence D. Robbins M.D.
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© 1994 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Robbins, L.D. (1994). Introduction to Cluster Headache and Cluster Headache Abortive Medication. In: Management of Headache and Headache Medications. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0195-0_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0195-0_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-0197-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-0195-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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