Oxygen therapy can work extremely well for cluster headaches. Many doctors don?t know about the benefits of this form of treatment and neither do insurance companies who are hesitant to pay for it. Sometimes, it can help if your doctor writes a letter to them.
How effective is it?
In cluster headache sufferers, 50% of people are helped by it. Although this is a good result, the other 50% aren?t helped, so if you are thinking of getting a tank in your home, it?s best to give it a trial run first. Your doctor could probably arrange this.
How long has it been used?
The first treatment of headaches with oxygen was studied as far back as 1939. Dr. Alvarez, working at the Mayo Clinic found that 80% of miraine headaches were either helped or stopped. The patients wore a mask to get the 100% oxygen.
It was most effective on cluster headaches but other types found some relief too. The therapy was most effective if it was started at the first sign of a migraine. Unfortunately, this study was not as detailed and thorough as recent works.
You?ve got a friend
The first important study on the effects of oxygen therapy for cluster headaches was carried out by Dr. Kudrow (father of Lisa Kudrow, the actress who played Phoebe in Friends). He is also a migraine sufferer.
His findings were extremely encouraging:
He treated 52 out-patients with 100% oxygen.
- 75% of these people had "complete or almost complete cessation of head pain within 15 minutes: for at least seven of 10 attacks."
- People under 50 seemed to respond better than those over 50
- 62% of those who were helped, felt better in under 7 minutes of beginning the oxygen inhalation
More good news
A study done by a Dr. Fogan showed that there was a definite improvement for people inhaling oxygen rather than air. Using this comparison he was able to show that it was the oxygen that was helping, rather than the mask or the gas tank.
How does it work?
Although it has been shown to work, we don?t really know why it works! Migraines and cluster headaches are both known to involve an increase in the flow of blood to the brain. The relief could come because Oxygen can cause a drop in blood flow that would mean less enlarged blood vessels and less pressure on nerves in the brain.
Does it have any side effects?
People who suffer from cluster headaches are often also smokers. Lighting up next to an open oxygen tank could cause a very big bang! Dr. Kudrow found that 25% of his patients suffered rebound headaches following oxygen therapy. No other side effects have been discovered.
Oxygen not Ergotamine?
Ergotamine (commonly used for headaches) has many drawbacks.
- It has side effects of
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- A feeling of unreality
- Leg cramps
It cannot be used for
- People with high blood pressure
- Those with peripheral vascular disease
- Anyone with an infection
Oxygen doesn?t have these side effects and can be used on everyone. Check with your doctor to see if you can be helped.
