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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffBecause the cause of cluster headache is unknown, you can't prevent a first occurrence. However, a preventive strategy is crucial for managing cluster headache because trying to treat it with only acute drugs can seem hopeless. Prevention can help reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks and the risk of rebound headaches. Preventive medications can also increase the effectiveness of acute medications.
In addition, you may help reduce your risk of future attacks by avoiding alcohol and nicotine, which often precipitate cluster headaches.
References
- Simon RP, et al. Headache and facial pain. In: Simon RP, et al. Clinical Neurology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies: 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5146135&searchStr=cluster+headache. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Ropper AH, et al. Headache and other craniofacial pains. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adam's and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3631051&searchStr=cluster+headache. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Goadsby PJ, et al. Headache. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2890458&searchStr=cluster+headache#2890458. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- May A. Cluster headache: Epidemiology, clinical features and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Cluster headaches. National Headache Foundation. http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Cluster_Headaches. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/detail_headache.htm. Accessed Nov. 29, 2010.
- Evers S. Pharmacotherapy of cluster headache. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2010;11:2121.
- May A. Cluster headache: Acute and preventive treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Cohen AS, et al. High-flow oxygen for treatment of cluster headache: A randomized trial. 2009;302:2451.
- Francis GJ, et al. Acute and preventive treatment of cluster headache. Neurology. 2010;75:463.
- Melatonin. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=ND&pt=100&id=940&ds=&name=MELATONIN&searchid=23998947. Accessed Nov. 23, 2010.
- Paemeleire K, et al. Occipital nerve stimulation for headache disorders. Neurotherapeutics: The Journal of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics. 2010;7:213.
- Sewell RA. Response of cluster headache to kudzu. Headache. 2009;49:98.
- Rossi P, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cluster headache: Results of a multi-centre headache clinic survey. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2008;16:220.
- Capsicum. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=ND&pt=100&id=945&ds=&name=CAPSICUM&searchid=23998947. Accessed Nov. 29, 2010.
- Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 1, 2010.
- Headache diary. National Headache Foundation. http://www.headaches.org/pdf/Headache_Diary.pdf. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
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