Michael's Hands

Cluster Headache

The manifestation of this headache is severe throbbing pain on one side of the head, flushing of the face, tearing of the eyes, nasal congestion. Cluster headaches occur one to three times a day, over a period of weeks or months. Each can last from a few minutes to several hours.

The most frequent causes of this headache are stress- related. Other things that can trigger a cluster headache are alcohol and smoking. Tobacco has a unique effect upon the nervous system and the blood vessels of the head. Nicotine acts as a stimulant on the central nervous system. It also affects the overall metabolic rate, the regulation of body temperature, the degree of tension in the muscles and the level of certain hormones.

Supplements that assist in treating cluster headaches include

• L-tyrosine, taken as directed on the label
• DLPA, 750 mg of DLPH daily to relieve pain
• Ginkgo biloba extract, to improve circulation to the brain
• L-glutamine and quercetin, 500 mg each daily to help to relieve the pressure of this kind of headache

Do not take L-tyrosine if you are taking an monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drug, which is commonly prescribed for depression. Also, note the caution that was stated earlier regarding PKU.