Hemicrania continua are an odd type of chronic headache marked by constant ache on one side of the face that varies in severity. These attacks are constant but fluctuating and occasionally these attacks come with more severe pain. Symptoms fall into two main categories: autonomic, including drooping eyelid, stuffy or runny nose, and red or watering eye, same as the signs of a cluster headache, but much less dramatic; and migraine-like attacks, including vomiting, nausea and sensitivity toward sound and light. The disease has two types: continuous, with regular headaches, and remitting, where headaches may happen for 6 months and are followed by a pain-free stage of weeks to months until the pain come back. Mainly patients experience attacks of severe headache four to five times in a day cycle. Hemicrania is more common in women than in men. Heavy physical work and alcohol drinking may increase the severity of pain. The cause of this disease is still mysterious.
Luckily, these headaches frequently settle completely with the prescription anti-inflammatory medication. For patients who cannot bear anti-inflammatory medication, there is growing proof that melatonin may be useful
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