Can you remember how painful childbirth looked when you saw it on TV as a child? Or, perhaps you wondered how painful it really was when you saw someone getting shot in an action movie. In an American study, a pain rating scale was devised to determine what is regarded as the worst pain a human can feel. They did so by asking people who have lived through these conditions to rate the pain they experienced. The results may surprise you.
The American Study on the Worst Pain
In an American study published in 2020, the researchers asked 1600 cluster headache patients to rate the pain of their headaches to several other painful conditions and injuries they had experienced. The list of painful experiences included pancreatitis, gallstones, childbirth, kidney stones, gunshot wounds, heart attacks, bone fractures, and many more. Surprisingly, childbirth only came in at number two on the list, with a pain rating of 7.2 out of 10. Kidney stones were fourth on the list, with a pain rating of 6.9 out of 10. Quite surprisingly, gunshot wounds were number six on the list, with only 6.0 out of 10. So, what was number one on the list then?
The Worst Pain You Can Experience Is A Cluster Headache
Number one on the list was cluster headache attacks, rated 9.7 out of 10 on the pain scale. Other conditions on the list other than those mentioned earlier included a slipped disc, fibromyalgia, sciatica, stab wounds, shingles, and lumbar punctures. However, cluster attacks are relatively rare, affecting around 0.1% of the global population. In the United Kingdom, it affects around 65,000 individuals. While many people may have never even heard of this condition, those who suffer from it wish they had the same luxury. But, what exactly are cluster headaches?
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What Are Cluster Headaches?
We have all experienced headaches before, ranging from mild to migraine levels of pain. However, according to people who have suffered from both, migraines only received a 5.4 out of 10 on the pain rating scale, compared to the 9.7 of a cluster headache. What is more astounding is the massive gap between number two (childbirth at 7.2), and number one. It is very apparent that cluster attacks are indeed on a level of their own. Yet, healthcare providers still don’t know what causes these intense attacks. They believe that it has something to do with the part of your brain called the hypothalamus and the trigeminal nerve.
What Triggers Cluster Headaches?
Triggers vary from one individual to another but include alcohol, tobacco, hot temperatures, strong smells, bright lights, and substance use. Many individuals who have this condition also report the onset of a new cluster cycle as the seasons change. It is theorized that this has something to do with the changing amount of sunlight during seasonal crossovers. There is a connection between cluster attacks and the hypothalamus, also known as the body’s circadian clock. This clock responds to changes in sunlight and thus any issues with the clock affect the rest of the system too.
What Do Cluster Headaches Feel Like?
Considering that it is the worst pain you can experience, it is impossible for those who haven’t experienced it to comprehend how painful it really is. It often starts with a burning sensation on the side or back of the head. It then migrates very quickly to one side of the face, causing extreme pain around the eye. This is often followed by a drooping eyelid, stuffy nose, and red teary eyes. They come on very suddenly and can last from around 15 minutes to several hours and can occur several times per day at the height of a cycle. The pain has been likened to having your eye poked with a searing hot knife for hours on end. Unfortunately, this leads many people to become antisocial, as you never know when and where you could have an attack. It is not only a very painful thing to experience, but very distressing for loved ones to witness. It is impossible to lie down or sit still and sufferers end up pacing around in agony.
What Can Be Done About Cluster Headaches
These headaches will often subside for several months before resurfacing for a period of time in clusters, hence the name. These cluster attacks can last from a few weeks to several months at a time. Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol have absolutely no effect on cluster headaches. Once diagnosed by a doctor, they can prescribe several medications that can assist in preventing or managing cluster cycles. Many people have found relief in oxygen therapy, and oxygen tanks for home use can be organized through your doctor. Some people have found relief in medications such as Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, and triptan medications such as sumatriptan.
The Bottom Line on the Worst Pain
Cluster headaches cannot entirely be prevented as yet. However, there are certain medications that have proven to help some individuals. If you do suffer from cluster headaches, it’s important to try to avoid triggers such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use as much as possible. You should also be properly diagnosed by a doctor so that any other potential causes of the pain can be ruled out. Your doctor may then start prescribing medications that can help manage the pain and reduce the duration of the cycles.