Cluster headaches

Definition

Cluster headaches affect one side of the head (unilateral) and 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.

Alternative Names

Causes

Cluster headaches are a fairly common form of chronic, recurrent headache. Unlike migraines, they affect men more often than women. They can affect people of any age but are most common between adolescence and middle age. There does not seem to be a pattern among families in the development of cluster headaches.

A cluster headache begins as a severe, sudden headache. No specific cause has been found for the disorder, but it appears to be related to a sudden release of histamine or serotonin by body tissues.

The onset is sudden, and it happens most commonly during the dreaming (REM) phase of sleep. 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). A person may experience alternating chronic and episodic phases.

Some people who experience cluster headaches are heavy smokers. Alcohol use may trigger attacks. Glare, stress, or certain foods may trigger an attack.