Cluster Headaches

Definition

A cluster headache is one-sided head pain that may involve tearing of the eyes and a stuffy nose. The headaches occur repeatedly every day at the same time for several weeks and then go away.

See also:

• Headache
• Migraine headache
• Tension headache

Symptoms

A cluster headache begins as a severe, sudden headache. The headache most commonly strikes 2 to 3 hours after falling asleep, usually during the dreaming (rapid eye movement, or REM) phase.

The pain occurs on one side of the head. It may be described as:

• Burning
• Sharp
• Steady

The pain may occur in and around one eye. It may:

• Involve one side of the face from neck to temples
• Quickly gets worse, peaking within 5 to 10 minutes

The strongest pain may last 30 minutes to 2 hours.

The eye and nose on the same side of the head pain may also be affected. Symptoms can include:

• Swelling under or around the eye (may affect both eyes)
• Excessive tearing
• Red eye
• Rhinorrhea (runny nose) or one-sided stuffy nose (same side as the head pain)
• Red, flushed face

Cluster headaches may occur daily for months, alternating with periods without headaches (episodic), or they can recur for a year or more without stopping (chronic).

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