Health Library

A cluster headache is a type of headache that causes deep, intense head pain. Cluster headaches can last from 15 minutes to 3 hours.

Cluster headaches usually start on one side of the head or face. They may happen on the other side of the head when a new cluster of headaches starts.

Cluster headaches often happen:

1.  Multiple times for a period of months.
2. Many times a day.
3. At the same time of day, often at night.
4. In the fall and springtime.

What are the causes?

The cause of cluster headaches is not known. Unlike migraine and tension headaches, a cluster headache is not usually caused by triggers, such as foods, hormone problems, or stress.

What increases the risk?

You're more likely to get cluster headaches if:

1.  You're a male between the ages of 20–50 years old.
2.  You smoke or use products that contain nicotine or tobacco.
3.  You have high histamine levels. This can happen if you have allergies.

You're taking medicines that:

1. Make your blood pressure go down.
2. Make your heart rate go down.
3. Help with chest pain, like nitroglycerin.
4. You have a parent or sibling who has cluster
5. headaches.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms include:

1. Pain on one side of the head that begins behind or around your eye or temple. The pain may move to other areas of the face, head, and neck.
2. Feeling like throwing up.
3. Sensitivity to light.
4. Runny nose and stuffy nose.
5. Symptoms on the side of the face or head with the cluster headache.

These include:

1. Sweating on that side.
2. Droopy or a swollen eyelid.
3. Eye redness.
4. Watery eye on that side only.
5. Feeling restless or upset.
6. Pale skin or reddened face.

How is this diagnosed?

Cluster headaches may be diagnosed based on:

1. Your symptoms, including:
2. Pain level.
3. Area of the headaches.
4.  When they start.
5. How long they last.
6. How often they happen.
7. A neurological exam, including tests on the senses, nerves, and reflexes.
8.  Blood tests and imaging tests, like CT scan or MRI, to rule out other medical problems.

How is this treated?

Cluster headaches may be treated with:

1.  Medicines to relieve pain and to prevent repeated attacks.
2. Oxygen to help to relieve pain of an attack in 15–20 minutes.
3. A shot of a steroid or numbing medicine near the back bottom of the skull.
4. Surgery in very bad cases.

Follow these instructions at home:

Headache diary

Keep a headache diary. This can help you and your health care provider find out what triggers your headaches. Include:

1. What time your headache started and what you were doing.
2. How long your headache lasted.
3. Where your pain started and if it moved to other areas.
4. The type of pain, such as burning, stabbing, throbbing, or cramping.
5. Your pain level. Use a pain scale and rate the pain with a number from 1 (mild) up to 10 (severe).
6. The treatment that you used, and any change in symptoms after treatment.

Medicines

1. Take your medicines only as told.
2. You may need to take steps to help treat or prevent trouble pooping (constipation), such as:
3. Taking medicines to help you poop.
4. Eating foods high in fiber, like beans, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
5. Drinking more fluids as told.
6. Ask your provider if it's safe to drive or use machines while taking your medicine.

Lifestyle

Get 7–9 hours of sleep each night, or the amount recommended by your provider.Talk to your provider about ways to relief stress.

They include:

1. Acupuncture.
2. Counseling.
3. Biofeedback.
4. Massage.
5. Exercise regularly. Exercise for at least 30 minutes, 5 times each week. Moderate exercise may be best.
6. Eat a healthy diet. Avoid any foods that may trigger your headaches.
7. Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol may quickly trigger a very bad headache.
8. Do not smoke, vape, or use nicotine or tobacco.

General instructions

1. Use oxygen as told by your provider.
2. Contact a health care provider if:
3. Your headaches change, get worse, or happen more often.
4. The medicine or oxygen that your provider recommends doesn't help.

Get help right away if:

1. You faint.
2. You have weakness or numbness, especially on one side of your body or face.
3. You have double vision.
4. You throw up or feel like throwing up, and this doesn't go away after many hours.
5. You have trouble talking, walking, or keeping your balance.
6. You have pain or stiffness in your neck and you have a fever.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.