I started looking at this today. I think it's pretty interesting.

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"Int J Angiol. 1998 Aug;7(4):310-2.
Primary Headache and Helicobacter Pylori.

Gasbarrini A, De Luca A, Fiore G, Franceschi F, Ojetti V V, Torre ES, Di Campli C, Candelli M, Pola R, Serricchio M, Tondi P, Gasbarrini G, Pola P, Giacovazzo M.

Internal Medicine and Angiology Departments, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

H. pylori infection has recently been associated with various vascular disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate its role in primary headache, a pathology strictly associated with vascular alterations. A total of 200 subjects affected by primary headache were evaluated. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by the 13C urea breath test. Headache was classified in tension-type headache, cluster headache, and migraine with or without aura. Prevalence of H. pylori infection and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were evaluated. H. pylori infection was found in 40% of the patients; prevalence of migraine without aura was found to be significantly greater in infected patients. The positive group showed no significant differences in the prevalence of the GI symptoms evaluated. In 30 infected patients, it was assessed whether the eradication of the bacterium was able to reduce frequency, intensity, and duration of clinical attacks of headache. After eradication, clinical attacks of headache completely disappeared in 17% of patients. Moreover, intensity, duration, and frequency of headache attacks were reduced in 69% of the remaining subjects. In conclusion, H. pylori infection is common in primary headache; bacterium eradication appears to be related to a significant reduction in clinical attacks of the disease."

Also of interest:

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An excerpt:

"During the infection, the bacterium releases in the infected tissue toxins and hydrolytic enzymes promoting the peculiar cascade of events associated to the host immune response alterations of vascular permeability,as a result of released vasoactive substances (4,5,11). Superoxide radicals and nitric oxide are also produced (14,17). As a consequence, lipids, proteins and other cellular components undergo oxidative modifications. The resulting oxidative damage may be assessed as an accumulation of lipid peroxidation by products in the blood. Therefore, the prolonged oxidative injury caused by the persistent infection and the release of vasoactive substances might be involved in regional cerebral blood flow changes during migraine (2)."

Now, I know the study is mostly about migraine, but I think it's something worth looking into. The fact that many drugs with vascular effects (like Verapamil) affect cluster headache for a variety of patients, in my opinion, makes it a good idea to investigate the connection further. Personally, I plan on getting tested for a H. Pylori infection.

- PFDAN for everyone,
Rosa

As will I.....