What’s the Fuss About Cluster Headaches?
Cluster headaches are relatively rare head pain causes, but they are among the most severe. Cluster headaches occur in regular patterns (clusters) that last from weeks to months.
Symptoms of a cluster headache include:
- Sharp pain in the head on one side: Most cluster headaches occur on the same side throughout life.
- Restlessness: The urge to pace or exercise; lying down may make the pain worse.
- Injury: Some people with cluster headaches will bang their heads against walls or other surfaces to try to relieve the pain.
- Watery eyes and stuffy nose: Cluster headaches trigger tears and stuffiness from the autonomic nervous system.
The cause of cluster headaches remains unknown, but it is not usually a sign of an underlying medical problem. A family history of these headaches can increase your risk.
Experts define cluster headaches in two ways:
- Episodic: Headaches that occur regularly each day for a week to as long as a year, followed by at least a month without a headache.
- Chronic: Headaches that occur regularly each day for more than a year with no remission.
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