Cluster headaches occur when arteries in the head overdilate in response to a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. When pure oxygen is inhaled, the arteries return to normal size in just a few minutes and the headache is aborted.
Since vigorous exercise dramatically boosts oxygen up-take, it follows that any type of active, rhythmic exercise should stop a cluster as effectively as oxygen. And, indeed, this is perfectly correct. Any fairly vigorous exercise, such as jogging, usually stops a cluster headache within a few minutes.
The snag is that many cluster victims tend to be sedentary males who are often heavy smokers and whose breathing ability is already impaired. Instead of exercising, these cluster victims are advised to sit down and do a deep-breathing technique.
Only if you are physically fit and accustomed to vigorous exercise should you attempt to abort a cluster by active exercise. In any event, you should have your doctor’s permission before attempting either form of behavioral therapy described below.
* Deep Breathing Technique. At the first hint of an impending cluster headache, sit in a chair with your spine straight, and begin a series of long, deep breaths. Breathe steadily and do not hold the breath at any point. Fill the bottom of the lungs first and then fill the top of the lungs by expanding the chest. When you exhale, squeeze the abdominal muscle to expel more air from the bottom of the lungs.
If you begin to feel dizzy, slow the rate of breathing slightly. If dizziness persists, or if you have any other adverse effects, discontinue the technique.
As the long, deep breaths bring a sufficiency of oxygen to the arteries in your head, the blood vessels will return to normal size and the headache will generally disappear. This usually takes only a few minutes.
Although this technique is primarily for those unable to exercise, H can also be used by all cluster victims. However, if the headache intensifies, those able to exercise should begin to do so.
Exercise can consist of running or jogging, running in place, riding a stationary bicycle, or running up and down stairs. Ordinary walking, which seldom raises the pulse rate above 100 beats per minute, is not usually vigorous enough. However, race walking (heel-and-toe walking) works well.
Since you won’t want to stop exercising to take your pulse during a cluster attack, you should undertake a few trial sessions beforehand to determine how vigorously you need to exercise to raise your pulse rate to 120 beats per minute for 5-10 minutes.
Incidentally, no one over 60 should attempt this technique since a heartbeat of 120 may exceed the upper limit considered safe in aerobic training.
For either the breathing or exercise techniques to work, they must be commenced immediately a cluster strikes, preferably within a few seconds. When exercising, it’s best to stay close to home or the workplace in case the headache intensifies. Naturally, you would stop exercising at once if any adverse effects are perceived.
Cluster victims should also note that a brisk daily walking program, when maintained as a long-term prophylactic measure, can improve oxygen uptake to the point where cluster headaches are very unlikely ever to occur again.
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