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Suffering From Migraine, Problems With Sleeping, Problem Is With Left Side Of Head. Treatment?
Hi, My name is Lynn and I have a male friend who is 49 years old and saids he has migraine headaches. The symptons he describes are real strainful and painful headaches, veins look like they are about to burst through his head,makes just one of his eyes pour tears and problem with sleeping at night. All this is on the left side of his head. He has seem a doctor but right now they really not seeing what it is. They are trying him on different medications, but still not working.It mostly hits him at night to lay his head down.Is there any solutions of recommendations or medication that you can recommend? Please help..
posted on
Tue, 18 Jun 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 18 Jun 2013
Answered on
Tue, 18 Jun 2013
Last reviewed on
Hi
I think it is cluster headache. It is producing tearing of eyes, bad unilateral headache, daily happens at night. Another characteristic of cluster headache is that the attacks happen for a few days or weeks and then there are months without any episode. The symptoms may also be noticed like restlessness, facial flushing, fear of going to sleep, photophobia, aura, etc. Many of these headaches last for 15 min to 3 hours.
Oxygen and sumatriptan may be used to abort an acute attack. Dihydroergotamine is also employed to reduce the intensity of attack. Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, or sumatriptan orally are usually prescribed for prophylaxis. It is important that the patient is aware of the triggers and avoids them. The usual triggers like smoking and alcohol should be avoided. He should also keep a headache diary.
Dr Vaishalee
I think it is cluster headache. It is producing tearing of eyes, bad unilateral headache, daily happens at night. Another characteristic of cluster headache is that the attacks happen for a few days or weeks and then there are months without any episode. The symptoms may also be noticed like restlessness, facial flushing, fear of going to sleep, photophobia, aura, etc. Many of these headaches last for 15 min to 3 hours.
Oxygen and sumatriptan may be used to abort an acute attack. Dihydroergotamine is also employed to reduce the intensity of attack. Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, or sumatriptan orally are usually prescribed for prophylaxis. It is important that the patient is aware of the triggers and avoids them. The usual triggers like smoking and alcohol should be avoided. He should also keep a headache diary.
Dr Vaishalee
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