Vascular headaches include migraine (with or without aura) and cluster-headaches.
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Migraine is a term used to define a group of severe usually unilateral repetitive headaches, accompanied by nausea, photofobia, sonophobia and vomiting. Some 30%-40% of all migraine attacks start with an aura, with transient neurological defects, that appear some 20 minutes before the actual headache attack. It is considered that aura is connected with focal reduction of circulation in the brain that is probably caused by arterial vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation and pain. Aura could be manifested as flashing or zigzag lights, lines and dots, blurred vision, facial or arm twitches, weakness in arms and/or legs, speaking disturbances and confusion.
- Cluster-headaches mainly occur in men. Clinical picture includes strong, unilateral, retro-orbital pain accompanied by tearing in one eye, lowered eyelid, changes of pupil and stuffy nose. The patients suffer attacks of severe headache on one side of the head lasting for about one hour, one to three times a day. The headaches often occur at the same time of the day, what gives the name cluster. The headaches occur during several weeks or months, but could vanish for several months or years, only to reappear.
HBOT causes an increase of oxygen in blood to the levels much higher than under normal pressure. The ability of vasoconstriction of painfully dilated blood vessels is much higher, representing protective reaction of blood vessel walls against increased blood oxygen. Cerebral edema and pain are ameliorated due to lower blood flow and better oxygenation.