Cluster Headaches
Just as migraines are far more common in women, cluster headaches are 16 times more common in males than females. The term "cluster headache" was originally used to describe the clustering of painful attacks that occur many times throughout the day from weeks to months at a time and then subside for a few weeks or months. This "quiet period" is called the interim. (In the chronic form of cluster headaches recurring attacks can occur for years at a time without an interim phase.)
Cluster headaches can resemble migraine headaches and be unbearably painful — so much so that cluster headache sufferers report frequently feeling suicidal due to the intense pain. Without proper diagnosis and treatment options, cluster headaches can last for years. Potent blood vessel dilators, such as alcohol, nitroglycerin and histamines can trigger an attack. You may have cluster headaches if you have the following symptoms. (Chances are you will not experience all, or even most, cluster headache characteristics.)
Key Cluster Headache Characteristics:
- Can resemble a migraine headache.
- While the attacks can begin at any age, they typically begin between ages 20 and 40.
- Extremely painful headaches that last from 30 to 90 minutes and commonly occur up to six times a day during the cluster headache "active" phase.
- Frequently occur at night, and often at the same time each day.
- Can be associated with panic or fear.
- Generally localized (or restricted) to one side of the head, affecting the eye, forehead, cheek, or temple.
- Associated with nasal congestion, eye drooping, contracting of eye pupils, excessive tearing, and other facial changes.
- Accompanied by tenderness in the neck.