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 (literal translation, lit. ''triplet'' nerve), also known as the fifth cranial nerve, cranial nerve V, or simply CN V, is a cranial nerve responsible for Sense, sensation in the face and motor functions ...

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 (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 medication to reduce fever, pain, stiffness, and swelling from inflammation. It works by inhibiting the production of pros ...

(in the case of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania) or acute and prophylactic therapy (in the case of cluster headache).

References

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