Cluster buster Q: Could you please tell me if there is a cure for cluster headaches? Dr. Wright: Cluster headaches are another one of those inexplicable conditions that my patients tell me always seem to come on at exactly the wrong time. Unfortunately, no one knows what causes these types of headaches: They tend to attack relentlessly for weeks to months and then often go into remission for months or even years. While there's no surefire cure, lithium (in relatively high doses) can significantly reduce both the severity and frequency. One study examined lithium's effects on 19 men with cluster headaches. Eight had rapid improvement -- an average 85 percent reduction -- in their "headache index" in just two weeks. Four individuals had both cluster headaches and psychiatric symptoms; these four had almost complete elimination of their headaches. The remaining seven had only a slight benefit. Another research group tried lithium therapy (again, relatively high quantities) for 14 individuals with cluster headaches. Five of the participants had complete disappearance of their headaches, four had significant improvement, and four had no change. There's no guarantee that lithium will cure your cluster headaches, but there is a good chance that it might help. With so few other options available, it's at least worth a try. Since the quantities needed are relatively high, you should work with a physician skilled in natural medicine who can monitor your progress and safety. For a list of such physicians in your area, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine at (800)532-3688 or visit their website, www.acam.org. | 
