Cluster Headache Triggers – Learn What To Avoid So Your Cluster Headaches Might Stay Away
Published July 7, 2009 | 
Every cluster headache sufferer will tell you that there are things that trigger a cluster headache attack in his or her active period. Those cluster headache triggers aren’t the same for everyone, but we can give you the more common triggers so you could learn to identify the things that start an attack with you.
In some cases medication can prevent a cluster headache from starting, but not always, so if you choose to cut out the things you are sensitive for, you don’t have to rely on medication only. One of the first things you should do if you are prone to cluster headaches, is stop smoking (if you’re a smoker). Also the use of alcohol and any foods that are associated with cluster headaches should be avoided. During a cluster period, the cluster headache sufferer is more sensitive to the action of alcohol and nicotine and minimal amounts of one of them can trigger the headaches. During a headache-free period the patien can consume alcohol without provoking a headache. Smoking can also increase the severity of cluster headaches during a cluster period.
The most common trigger for cluster headaches is the season. A lot of cluster headache sufferers report that they will have more attacks in the spring or autumn. Because they are seasonal in nature, cluster headaches are often associated with allergies or business stress, although this isn’t the case. Most likely is the seasonal nature of cluster headaches the result from stimulation or activation of the hypothalamus.
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Other possible triggers include the use of medications such as nitroglycerin, this is a drug used to treat heart disease.
The beginning of a cluster period often follows occasions when normal sleep patterns are disrupted, such as during a vacation or when starting a new job or work shift. Some people with cluster headache also have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the walls of a person’s throat collapse momentarily, obstructing the sleeper’s breathing repeatedly during the night.
Nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate) can sometimes induce cluster headaches in sufferers in a manner similar to spontaneous attacks. Ingestion of alcohol or chocolate is recognized as a common trigger of cluster headaches when a person is in cycle or susceptible. Exposure to hydrocarbons (petroleum solvents, perfume) is also recognized as a trigger for cluster headaches. Some patients have a decreased tolerance to heat, and becoming overheated may act as a trigger which may explain the occurrence after aerobic exercise. Napping causes a headache for some sufferers, while for others lack of sleep triggers them.
As you can see there are a lot of cluster headache triggers and not all may apply to you. Try to keep a daily journal to see what you did right before your cluster headache attacks and when you figure out what triggers them for you, avoid it as much as you can.
Discover a way to understand your cluster headaches and possible treatment options. After suffering for years with your condition, The Cluster Cure offers you a plan of attack for your clusters so you can lead a relatively pain free life. Get your copy today.
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I was not able to follow the link to “The Cluster Cure” and was hoping you could help with that. I appreciate this website and the information it provides! Thanks!
please send feedback on prevention and cure as i am suffering from cluster from the past four years
Ive had cluster headaches for 14 years and Ive tried many differant doctors and cures, They started out about the same time every year but changed after 4th or 5th year.Topomax made them stay away for about18 months but my wife noticed the side affect of personality change.Verapillile did the same for about 18 months with litle side affects.Now I have them back and I am on an increased doseage.I have not found a trigger yet but I am hopeful. thank you
I have noticed that when I have coffee and a cigarette at the same time it becomes an instant cluster headache trigger. I was only recently diagnosed but I have a history of these cluster headaches for the last 3 years. I have yet to see a specialist (thats how recent I was diagnosed), but Im glad I have found others that have more insight into this condition.
hello,
I have problem of daily headache with following symptoms :
(1) it occurs every year only in summer season,
(2) it lasts 30 minutes to 2 hours
(3) Right side brain headache stats with sniffles (sardi) in rights side nose, which ends with end of headache
(4) when pain is not too much, use of ice near pain area on brain ends the pain at that time cent percent,
(5) Gas problem occurs when headache started
I am facing it from appx 10 – 11 years . I have visited many doctors including neuro specialist, but all said that these are migrane problem and suggested medicines, which not end it cent percent. Next year, again the pain started. I diagnosed with CT scan, MRI. But all reports are normal. After 2008, this headache was not occured, but this year in 2011- one day I worked at office from 0500 hrs to 2400 hrs continually in some recruitment job, from that day this pain started again with all the above symptoms.
This year, when I am taking AMITRIPTYLINE HIDROCHLORIDE 25 mg daily at night, I have some relief- because I felt that when I gave my head relief, this pain lessen. and I am feeling some calm after taking AMITRIPTYLINE HIDROCHLORIDE 25 mg.
What I should do ?
I am very anxious about my family , because I am only earning member of them.
Will it effect my life, which finally resuted to death.
What type of desease is this ? What is it solution ?
please any DOCTOR OR SPECIALIST – HELP ME
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
I am having cluster headache since last 5 to 6 years. I went to many doctors but no medicine cure sudden pain when it starts. please someone guide me to stop sudden attack pain naturally please i am in very much pain …
I have had cluster headaches for over twenty years. The best remedy has been inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask at a minimum rate of 8
liters a minute for about 10 minutes. For years, I did not use this recommended treatment because it sounded odd to me. It really does provide a dramatic relief.
Verapamil has been used as a preventative treatment.
I’ve had clusters for over 40 years; I’m female and I’ve tried a plethora of treatments. What I’ve learned about triggers are the same for most sufferers- no alcohol of course but also, aerobic actiivty needs to be reduced or that will trigger an attack if you’re in a cycle. The heart rate cannot be raised much during a cycle. I use prednisone immediately and daily in high doeses (80mg) if I feel I’m going into a cycle and then I taper quickly off of it. It works very well to ward off any attacks during the cycle and it shortens the cycle in general. If I do get a an attack during the cycle, inhaling high levels of oxygen will relieve it withion 1- to 15 minutes. This condition is terribly painful and can be deblilitating but for many, like myself, it can be managed to some degree. Good luck everyone.
I used to suffer from cluster headaches over a twenty year period they normally started around christmas and could last off and on for months .The trigger for my headaches was alcohol even a shandy could set them off there is no describing the pain nothing I have experienced came near it .Luckily I have’nt had one for years.When they stop it’s like being reborn ,mine were always on the left hand side and it felt like my head would explode with the pain it has even reduced me to tears there is nothing you wouldnt do to stop the pain I would rather have a broken leg.
I suffer from cluster headache and my doctors are not able to assist. When it comes, my belly rumbles and the pain ratchets up into a crescendo, making me restless and agitated.
I feel that oily foods, alcohol, cigarettes and starchy foods are my main triggers. Dust, Air conditioning, and Fans also trigger my headaches.
Surely, there must be a solution in this day and age. This is a condition you would not wish for your worst enemy.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR ‘SUMAVEL’ IS A NEEDLE FREE DELIVERY SYSTEM(INJECTOR) AND ‘ALSUMA’ ALSO A AUTO INJECTOR W/ A VERY SMALL NEEDLE. I WAS INTRODUCED TWO BOTH OF THESE INJECTORS LAST YEAR (42YRS) W/CLUSTERS. THEY BOTH STOP A CLUSTER WITH IN MINUTES AND THATS THE TRUTH. I NEVER GO ANYWHERE W/OUT HAVING ONE WITH ME. I WAITED 42 YEARS FOR SOMETHING THAT WOULD STOP A CLUSTER (NOT A CURE) ON A DIME. BESIDES THE REGULAR MEDS THAT I TAKE DURING MY CYCLES. IF YOU NEED ANYMORE INFO PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO WRITE ME, STEVE
Have had headache for last 14 yrs,recently realised that it cluster headache,have been using ergotamine,but not very effective,please recomend some effective drug for me
hi my boyfriend has just been told he gets cluster headaches.. what is the best way i can help him when he is bad with them?
If you suffer from these, you will know they are pure evil. I get them each year in march / april and they last 6-8 weeks. Every day.
Pack in smoking – this does help. I still have beer and it seems not to trigger my headaches. – Happy days!
I take 60mgs of predisolone when i feel headache season start, i started this last year and it reallly helped, so i am back on them again this year. – They are making me eat lots though, but i love food so i don’t mind!!
Also to abort a headache i have imitex injections which have never failed me. – They are really good. – I also have oxygen at home which i use.
My worry is that i’ll go chronic one day and have no remission periods.
I can deal with the headaches, but my thoughts are for my wife who is helpless to ease my pain, and i just hope beyond hope that my children don’t end up getting them.
I have been a cluster sufferer for 30 years. My headache specialist said most people get them for around 20 years. I have been cluster free for 3 and hope I’m done.
There are many food triggers, at least for me, not mentioned here. Some even can put me into cluster. The worst are red wine and sodium nitrates. You will find sodium nitrates in almost all cured meats ie bacon, peperoni, hot dogs, ham etc, yes, all the good stuff. Of course many more things are only bad during clusters – any alcohol, smoking, peanuts, chocolate, aged cheese, smelly things like gasoline and perfume, and probably some others i’ve forgotten.
As for meds I used to love the RX wygraine until they stopped making it. I then went to Cafergot which was almost as good, but I think I heard they don’t make that anymore either. The oxygen never helped me. Prednisone was very effective in lessening the severety and duration of the clusters and verapimil was somewhat effective as well.
When stuck somewhere with no meds drinking a caffinated soda quickly at the very onset of the headache was sometimes effective.
Hope some of this helps, but for best help see a specialist. No one should suffer with these if they don’t have to.
…forgot one of the worst food triggers…MSG!
I have suffered from cluster headaches for 41 yrs – I am 59 now. Searching for some info about magnesium and clusters. I have seen many doctors and tried all the above mentioned drugs. I finally found a doctor at UCSF who prescribed many of the drugs other people say work. They are very lucky if those drugs have helped them. We went thru about fifty different drugs until we hit upon a regimen that let me survive. My headaches have occured every year, no triggers neccessary, no certain time of the year. Other then these headaches I am extremely healthy – skiing about 40 days per year, bike ride as much as possible – live in beautiful Lake Tahoe for 34yrs. (plus I work full time unless down to a cluster) Here’s what works for me – please remember there is no cure, no prevention only a way to survive four to five weeks of the worst pain known to man. When the headache hits I immediately take a 100mg meperidine suppository and make two ice packs to massage my head (always on the same side and back of my neck) and then rock and cry etc. until the medicine kicks in. Sometimes up to 3 times in six to eight hours then I just wing it if I get another headache and scream alot cuz I know how much of this drug your body can take. During the day I usually have what I call a headache residue and take hydrocodone 325mg so I can work. Sometimes I can’t make it to work because it so exhausting but I always try. I love life and this is a challenge I really wish would go away. Good luck everyone – its tough but the reward of life is worth the fight! PS – I have fractured my back, broken three ribs, torn most of my ligaments and muscles (skiing), been torn up by a dog resulting in three surgeries and given birth without drugs. Piece of cake compared to cluster headaches!!!!
I have cluster headache 10 years ago.i have visited many doctors.best treatment is dexatresortil and solpadeine.iF u can put oxygen it will be great.try to take medicine when u feel it.don’t wait till it becomes severe.
I’ve had cluster headaches since I was 21 i’m now 65. for many years I had no diagnosis and a plethora of treatments from doctors who could see my pain but who offered no real assistance. what does’nt work are: Caffergot suppositories, Valium and like meds, other tranquilizers, anti anxiety meds, pot, coke etc
any narcotics ( they work for that particular headache but it bounces back again, worse) Inderol and other beta blockers don’t really work and the side effects are hard on your spouse. Steroids (prednisone etc.) don’t do it and have weird side effects. Injectable Imitrex gives almost instananeous relief but, you can’t use it more than once or twice a day, and your insurance will balk at the cost. Reducing your diet to nothing that tastes good helps but doesn’t ward them off. The theory that they will abate in your 50s is an empty hope. Oxygen works but you have to carry a big tank, a small one won’t last a day, it’s good for nighttimes though, and that’s important these things are worst in reducing your sleep which makes them even more debilitating during the day. Trouble is Cluster headaches effect primarily men and a very small percentage of them so they haven’t drawn a lot of research dollars compared to “normal” migraines which afflict mostly women and a much larger percentage of them
For me, they’ve been in remission for a couple of years and have just started again, and I’m not sure I can go through them even once more and the alternative is looking better and better……………….
To Patty P.: Thanks for your posting re: cluster headaches. I am a long term chronic cluster sufferer for over fifteen years. I have tried all of the various treatments, taken all of the drugs that are ttauted as “cures,” and have found no relief. I had a physician that treated me with morphine, long acting at night and hydrocodone for headaches that occurred in between my morphine doses. I did not experience any cessation of the headaches, however, the analgesics did offer me some measure of relief in terms of the intensity of pain. I have moved to another state in which prescriptions for analgesics are written very conservatively (for fear of investigation by DEA). So, I have had no relief from the daily (5-8) headaches. I need some relief from the intense pain, and the anxiety associated with one headache ending and the anticipation of the next one. Thanks for your observations. I hope that your pain is less and that one day there will be a cure.