Cluster Headaches
Other Treatment
While medications may effectively control cluster headache pain or reduce the number of headaches in a cycle, another treatment to consider is high-flow oxygen inhalation therapy.
During high-flow oxygen inhalation therapy, you breathe in 100% oxygen through a face mask soon after a headache begins. Usually, the headache pain stops within 10 to 20 minutes. This therapy may prevent additional headaches in the cycle from occurring. However, if another headache does occur, you will need to repeat the procedure as soon as the next headache in the cycle begins. This treatment may be more effective in people under the age of 50 who only occasionally develop cluster headaches.
High-flow oxygen inhalation therapy will not prevent cluster headaches. It provides only temporary relief of headache pain. Also, you'll need an oxygen tank near you at all times for immediate treatment when a cluster headache cycle begins. Some people find this inconvenient or not possible.
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| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: April 21, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology | |
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