Cluster Headache

A cluster headache is pain on one side of your head that lasts from 15 minutes up to three hours. The pain occurs daily for weeks to months, often happening at the same time each day and up to eight times per day. When you feel recurring cluster headache pain, it’s called an attack. After an attack, you may go months or even years before you experience another cluster headache.

Why are they called cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches get their name from how they affect you. They come on in clusters, or groups, before temporarily going away for most people.

How do cluster headaches differ from other types of headaches?

Within your life, you’ve probably experienced a headache before. There are two main types of headaches:

• Primary headaches: These start because of a response from the part of your brain that communicates pain. A primary headache is its own health challenge, not part of a larger issue.
• Secondary headaches: These start because of another health condition. Several things can cause these headaches, including ear infections, nasal congestion and dehydration.

A cluster headache is a type of primary headache. But not every headache is a cluster headache. It’s easy to mistake a cluster headache for the following types of headaches:

• Migraines: A migraine causes a throbbing, pulsing headache on one side of your head that gets worse with physical activity, lights, sounds or smells.
• Sinus headaches: A sinus headache feels like a dull pain behind your eyes, in your cheekbones, forehead or nose. It’s a symptom of sinus infections (sinusitis).
• Tension headaches: Tension headaches cause mild-to-moderate pain, which feels like a tight band around your head.

How common are cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches aren’t common. They affect an estimated 0.1% of people around the world. This equals about 1 out of every 100,000 people.