Cluster (bundle) headache is a cyclical disorder of the body's biological clock. The exact cause of its occurrence has not been studied. The connection with pathologies of the hypothalamus, the trigeminal nerve or the pterygoid ganglion (special nerve plexus) is supposed, a significant role in its occurrence is attributed to the release of histamine and serotonin, inflammatory mediators.

As a result of pathological effects, a sharp and abnormal vasodilation in the head region occurs. In this case, there are also vegetative manifestations due to excitation of the trigeminal nerve.

Predisposing factors are:.

alcohol intake, smoking;.

reception of nitroglycerin;.

change of work schedule, lack of sleep;.

flights or relocations to another climatic and time zone;.

stress.

Symptoms.

Symptoms occur dramatically, after exposure to provoking factors or even against a background of complete health. Occur:.

strong, burning character, fulminant piercing pain in the head;.

pain that can be localized in the eye or behind it, is given to the temple, forehead, cheek or ear;.

nasal congestion on the side of the pain;.

a rush of blood to the affected side;.

lachrymation of the eye and its redness;.

sweating of the face.

The intensity of pain rapidly increases, the person rushes in excitation, there is a desire to clasp the head with his hands, can sob and even cry. The pain is so strong that it can cause the desire to commit suicide. On the side of the lesion, Horner's pathological symptom can be revealed: the narrowing of the pupil, the ptosis of the eyelid (omission), the occlusion of the eyeball.

A typical symptom of cluster pain is the appearance of series or clusters, bundles of several seizures with periods of relief lasting from a quarter of an hour to several hours. After an attack, temporary remission may occur for several months and even years. There may be chronic forms of pain without remissions, the most severe headaches occur at night, always appearing at the same time.

In this type of pain, unlike migraine, there is no aura, the lesion side does not change during one cluster, but at different times there can be different localizations of the bundles.

The pain increases in intensity and then gradually subsides, with each time attacks are becoming more severe and duration. In the inter-attack period, the person is fully healthy.

Diagnostics.

The diagnosis can be suspected on the basis of complaints, but is complemented by the conduct of:.

- neurological examination and examination;.

- carrying out an MRI to exclude the volumetric process in the head;.

- X-ray of the cervical spine to exclude osteochondrosis and other pathologies.

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