Understanding and Managing Cluster Headaches: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

2023-12-19 22:07:35

Early detection is best… the longer it is delayed, the more depression and anxiety increase.

Entered 2023.12.20 07:05 Views 9 Entered 2023.12.20 07:05 Modified 2023.12.19 17:31 Views 9

‘iShoSpeed’ (Darren Jason Watkins Jr., 19), a large YouTuber with 22 million subscribers, was diagnosed with ‘cluster headaches’ last summer. [사진=유튜브 채널 @IShowSpeed_Korea]Ishospeed (Darren Jason Watkins Jr., 18), a large YouTuber with 22 million subscribers, was taken to the emergency room last summer after suddenly complaining of a severe headache. The diagnosis he received upon arriving at the hospital was ‘cluster headache’, a disease even the name was unfamiliar to him.

Cluster headache is a disease in which ‘extreme headaches’ appear periodically, accompanied by autonomic symptoms such as conjunctival injection and nasal congestion. This disease is accompanied by a brief, intense headache attack lasting about 10 minutes. It has been reported that patients react to this by saying things like ‘experience hell’ and ‘it’s better to die.’

At that time, iShowSpeed ​​also had a headache so severe that he made a statement on social media (SNS) live that was similar to the contents of his suicide note, saying, “Even if I do something wrong, I love all my fans,” raising concerns among fans. After arriving at the hospital, he explained the painful situation at the time, saying, “My eyes were swollen to the point of bursting, and it hurt like someone was stabbing my eyes with a knife.”

Fortunately, Isho Speed ​​was able to recover his health after receiving treatment at the hospital, was discharged, and is now continuing his activities such as YouTube streaming as before.

There are many male patients, and it is characterized by sudden onset… Sometimes mistaken for a cold

The prevalence of cluster headaches is rare, approximately 100 to 400 per 100,000 people. Male patients account for 90% of the total, and headache attacks usually occur in the late 20s and persist until around the 40s.

This disease is characterized by its sudden onset. Symptoms such as stuffy nose and runny nose may appear and may be suspected as an early cold. The biggest difference from other headaches is that the pain comes in waves. The same symptoms may appear every day for several weeks, and then disappear completely for several weeks.

The exact cause of this disease is not yet known, but like migraines, it is known to be related to blood vessel relaxation by the neurotransmitter serotonin, damage to the sympathetic nerves, alcohol and stress.

Cluster headaches are rare in themselves, and doctors often do not know much about this disease, so they often misdiagnose it as a disease such as migraine. In fact, according to the Korean Headache Society, it takes an average of 5.7 years from onset to diagnosis, with some cases taking up to 36 years. At this time, the longer the delay in diagnosis, the more patients’ anxiety and depression and the number of suicidal thoughts increased, so early detection and treatment are most important.

How to treat rare disease ‘cluster headache’… Drug treatment and oxygen treatment

Treatment for cluster headaches is divided into two types: prevention and acute treatment. First, preventive treatment includes oral drug administration. It is a drug containing beta-famil or lithium and has few side effects, but has the disadvantage of requiring a period of dose adjustment and taking several weeks to see effects.

Second, there is steroid treatment. Take oral steroids for 5 days, then reduce the amount every 3 days. It is effective and inexpensive, but has side effects such as acne, weight gain, and insomnia. There is also a method of administering steroids directly by injection. Although the duration of effect is shorter than taking it directly, it is effective quickly and has fewer side effects.

Acute treatment includes oxygen therapy. It is famous for its proven effectiveness by sitting and inhaling 100% oxygen using a medical oxygen cylinder. It has the advantage of having no side effects, but has the disadvantage of being expensive as it is not covered and difficult to carry.

In addition, there are methods such as taking a migraine medication called triptan (Zomic tablet) orally or spraying lidocaine spray (local anesthetic) deep into the nasal cavity.

Reporter Lim Jong-eon

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