Having a headache is one thing. Having the same intense pain return around one eye, sometimes several times a day, is another. That pattern is common with cluster headaches. Along with the intense pain, there can be other signs too. Your eye may water or turn red, your nose may feel blocked, or your eyelid may swell. Feeling restless is common during an attack as well.
If you are looking up cluster headaches in the UK, these are some of the symptoms you may come across. Getting to know the usual pattern can be useful, but proper medical advice is important too. Below, we look at the symptoms, triggers, diagnosis and ways cluster headaches can be managed.
Cluster Headaches Explained
Cluster headaches have a very particular pattern. Most cluster headaches cause severe pain on one side of the head. It is often centred around or behind one eye, and the pain can come on fast with a sharp, burning, or piercing sensation.
What gives these headaches their name is the way the attacks come together. During an active period, a person may have several attacks a day for weeks or months. The headaches may then stop for a much longer period before starting again.
There is some overlap between cluster headaches and migraines, which can make them hard to tell apart on your own. Cluster headaches are less common, however, and have a different pattern. A medical assessment can help confirm what is causing the headaches.
Common Symptoms Linked to Cluster Headaches
Severe pain is the main symptom of a cluster headache, but there are other signs to look out for as well.
Severe pain on one side
The pain normally affects one side of the head. It is often felt around or behind one eye and can be very severe. People may describe it as sharp, burning, or piercing.
An attack can start without much warning. The pain may also make it difficult to sit quietly, so some people walk around or move about during an attack.
Eye and nose symptoms
The eye and nose on the painful side can also be affected during a cluster headache.
You may notice:
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A red or watery eye.
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A swollen or drooping eyelid.
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A blocked or runny nostril.
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Sweating on one side of the face.
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A smaller pupil in the affected eye.
These symptoms can happen during the attack along with the head pain.
Attacks that follow a pattern
Cluster headaches often happen in a repeated pattern. Some people have attacks at about the same time each day. Others may find that their headaches return during a certain season.
A headache diary can help you keep track of this. Note down when the headache starts, how long it lasts, what symptoms you have and anything that may have happened before the attack.
What Can Trigger Cluster Headaches?
There is still no clear answer as to why cluster headaches happen. But some people notice that certain things seem to set off an attack, particularly during an active period.
Possible triggers include:
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Alcohol
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Cigarette smoking
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Strong smells such as perfume
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Paint or petrol fumes
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Nail varnish or similar strong smells
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Exercise
Not everyone has the same triggers. You might find that one thing affects your headaches while someone else can do the same thing without any problem.
You could also keep a small diary of your headaches. It does not have to be detailed. Just make a note of when the attack began, how long it lasted, what you were doing before it started and what you had eaten or drunk. Anything unusual is worth adding too. A few entries may help you work out if there is a pattern.
Ways to Manage Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches need a different approach from many everyday headaches. Ordinary painkillers are not considered effective for treating an acute cluster headache because they can take too long to work.
Treatment during an attack
NICE recommends oxygen and/or a fast-acting triptan, such as a nasal or injected triptan, for the acute treatment of cluster headaches. These treatments should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
For people managing migraine, migraine relief tablets in the UK can be part of a wider approach to supporting their needs. Cluster headaches, however, are a different condition and may require a different type of medical treatment. NHS guidance gives sumatriptan as one example, with tablets used for migraine, while the nasal spray or injection can be used for cluster headaches.
For anyone who thinks they may have cluster headaches, getting the condition properly diagnosed is more useful than relying on different over-the-counter painkillers.
Preventing further attacks
Treatment is not only about dealing with the pain after it starts. A doctor may also recommend treatment to help prevent attacks during an active cluster period.
Verapamil is one medicine that NICE says may be considered for prevention during a cluster bout. It needs medical supervision, and ECG monitoring may be needed.
Simple things that may help
There are also some practical steps and cluster headache remedies worth keeping in mind:
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Keep a regular sleep routine.
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Track your headaches and possible triggers.
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Avoid known personal triggers during an active cluster period.
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Keep any prescribed treatment available as advised.
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Tell your doctor if your usual headache pattern changes.
None of these steps replaces medical treatment. They can still help you keep track of your own pattern and give you more to discuss with your healthcare team.
Magnesium and Other Supplements
Magnesium is often discussed in conversations about migraine, and magnesium tablets for migraine are available as part of some people's migraine routines. MigraSoothe also offers magnesium as part of its nutritional migraine support range.
However, it is important not to mix up migraine support with cluster headache treatment.
Cluster headaches have their own recognised treatment approach, and supplements should not be used as a replacement for proper medical assessment or prescribed treatment. If you are already taking medication or have another health condition, speak with a GP or pharmacist before adding a supplement to your routine.
The same applies to searching online for cluster headache remedies. You may find many home remedies and supplements suggested online, but not everything you read has strong evidence behind it. With such severe headaches, it is better to check the cause first and then choose a suitable management plan with a healthcare professional.
Keeping Things Together
Getting through a cluster headache is tough enough without having to guess what is going on each time. A few simple notes can help you keep track. You could record when an attack began, how long it went on and anything you remember doing or noticing beforehand. It is also something you can take along if you need to speak to your doctor or another healthcare professional.
At MigraSoothe, we take a nutritional approach to migraine management, using ingredients such as riboflavin, magnesium, CoQ10, feverfew and ginger. Cluster headaches are different, though. They are not the same as migraines, so they need to be understood and managed in their own way.
FAQs
1. What does a cluster headache feel like?
The pain is often severe and affects one side of the head. It commonly sits around or behind one eye. A watery eye, red eye or blocked nose can come with it.
2. How long does a cluster headache attack last?
A single attack may last between 15 minutes and three hours. During a cluster period, attacks can happen more than once a day.
3. What are common cluster headache triggers?
Some people notice that alcohol, smoking, strong smells or exercise are followed by an attack. Keeping a simple record of your headaches can help you see if you have any triggers of your own.
4. Can cluster headaches be prevented?
Doctors have treatments that can help prevent attacks during a cluster period. Verapamil is one option that may be considered.
5. Are cluster headaches the same as migraines?
They are not. Cluster headaches are different from migraines. The symptoms can differ too, and so can the way they are treated.
6. How many cluster headaches can you have in a day?
During an active cluster period, attacks can occur several times a day, often at similar times.
7. Do ordinary painkillers help cluster headaches?
Usually not. Cluster headache attacks develop quickly, so treatments such as oxygen or fast-acting triptans are generally used instead.
8. What is the best treatment for cluster headaches?
Acute cluster headache treatment usually involves oxygen and/or a fast-acting triptan. Preventive treatment, such as verapamil, may also be considered during a cluster period.
Important: This article is for general information only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Cluster headaches can cause extremely severe pain and require appropriate diagnosis and treatment. If you experience new, severe or unusual headaches, seek medical advice. Always discuss changes to prescribed treatment with a healthcare professional.