Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC) is the name for a type of
primary headache that occurs with pain on one side of the head in the
trigeminal nerve
In neuroanatomy, the trigeminal nerve ( lit. ''triplet'' nerve), also known as the fifth cranial nerve, cranial nerve V, or simply CN V, is a cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewin ...
area and symptoms in
autonomic systems on the same side, such as eye watering and redness or drooping eyelids. TACs include
*
Cluster headache
Cluster headache (CH) is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent severe headaches on one side of the head, typically around the eye(s). There is often accompanying eye watering, nasal congestion, or swelling around the eye on the a ...
*
Paroxysmal hemicrania
Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) is a severe debilitating unilateral headache usually affecting the area around the eye. It normally consists of multiple severe, yet short, headache attacks affecting only one side of the cranium. It is more com ...
(chronic or episodic)
*
Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT)
* Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA)
* Long-lasting autonomic symptoms with
hemicrania
Hemicrania continua (HC) is a persistent unilateral headache that responds to indomethacin. It is usually unremitting, but rare cases of remission have been documented. Hemicrania continua is considered a primary headache disorder, meaning that it ...
(LASH)
TACs can be differentiated by the length and frequency of recurrence of the headaches.
Treatment for TACs varies depending on the exact type, but can include medication such as
Indomethacin
Indometacin, also known as indomethacin, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used as a prescription drug, prescription medication to reduce fever, pain, joint stiffness, stiffness, and swelling (medical), swelling from infl ...
(in the case of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania) or acute and prophylactic therapy (in the case of cluster headache).
References
{{Headache
Headaches