How To Identify Cluster Headaches Before They Get You

Cluster headaches develop in clusters or patterns that last anywhere from a few weeks to months, followed by periods of remission in which no head pain occurs for weeks, months or even years at a time. Cluster headaches are one of the most painful forms of a headache. Although they are rare and not life-threatening, cluster headaches tend to cause waking in the middle of the night with intense pain on one side of the head. Treatment options are available to reduce the severity and duration of cluster headaches.

Symptoms

Cluster headaches tend to come on quickly without warning. Early symptoms may include aura and migraine-like nausea. Other common symptoms include restlessness, excessive tearing in the eyes, pain on one side of the face, redness or swelling in the eye on the affected side, a drooping eyelid, pale skin, flushing of the face, forehead or facial sweating, and a stuffy or a runny nose. A cluster headache is characterized by excruciating pain around the area of one eye that may radiate to other regions of the face, neck, head and shoulders.