Cluster Headaches

Nearly a million Americans have cluster headaches, which are known for their extreme pain and their pattern of occurring in "clusters," usually at the same time(s) of the day for several weeks. A cluster headache is often described as constant, deep, excruciating pain, and the pain is always located on one side of the head. Cluster headaches do not appear to be linked to hormones or foods, as migraines have. There are many different treatment options for tension headaches, including lifestyle changes and medications.

 

What Is a Cluster Headache?

Cluster headaches, a type of vascular headache, are known for their extreme pain and their pattern of occurring in "clusters," usually at the same time(s) of the day for several weeks. Cluster headaches have been called the "suicide headache," "demon of headaches," and, because it often wakens the person, "alarm clock headache."
  

Who Gets Cluster Headaches?

Nearly a million Americans have cluster headaches. Most cluster patients are men, usually smokers. Cluster headaches usually start between the ages of 20 and 40, although the syndrome can also start in childhood or late in life.
 

Types of Cluster Headaches

There are two type of cluster headache -- episodic cluster headaches and chronic cluster headaches.
 
Episodic cluster headaches are the most common type, occurring in up to 90 percent of people who have this condition. Episodic cluster headaches occur up to eight times per day for four to eight weeks, on average. This is followed by a six-month to one-year pain-free period, although this pain-free period can last for years.
 
Chronic cluster headaches, on the other hand, can go on for years with only brief periods (two weeks or less) of remission.
 
Either type of cluster headache can turn into the other for unknown reasons.
 
(Cluster Headaches Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD