Cluster headaches are considered to be the most severe form of headache, and quite possibly the most severe form of neurological pain. Many victims liken cluster headaches to childbirth and amputation. Little is known about what causes or triggers the condition, but many remedies have been formulated by leading physicians to alleviate the illness.

Many patients sent to the emergency room under this condition are dismissed for exhibiting drug-seeking behaviors. People commonly take pain killers like Aspirin, Tylenol and Ibuprofen to remedy headaches, but drugs–such as these–often have no effect on cluster-class headaches.

Cluster headaches must be approached at an entirely different level, because of the fact that the headaches affect a completely different area of the brain.

True remedies for cluster headaches can be put into two separate categories; abortive or prophylactics.

The most common abortive treatment is the exposure or rapid inhalation of the patient to pure oxygen. This method has proven to reduce attack severity, within 5 minutes.

One common problem with rapid pure oxygen inhalation is the excess carbon dioxide re-inhaled from the patient from the re-breather mask. This problem can be solved with the usage of a non-re-breathing type mask. The O2PTIMASK has become increasingly popular among physicians.

A second commonly practiced remedy for cluster headaches, which falls into the prophylactics category, involves the use of steroids. Prednisolone has proven to be effective because of its glucocorticoid activity, which acts as an anti-inflammatory in the brain.

Like many steroids, prednisolone can cause many adverse effects including: acne, mood swings, and severe constipation. The drug is usually administered strongly within the first 5 days of treatment, then tapered down during the remaining treatment period.

Other prophylactic remedy techniques include Magnesium, Lithium and Methysergide supplements (not to be confused with the common street drug ‘Meth.’) Most all remedies for cluster headaches are doctor-prescribed, and you should consult with your physician before taking any medications.