Cluster HeadachesCluster headaches are typically described as severe headaches with pain occurring in or behind one eye, although it may also be felt at the temple, or even in other portions of the head or face. The experience is often one of a severe stabbing, boring, or lancinating pain which comes on very rapidly (over a few minutes) and lasts usually from 30 minutes to 2 hours. It is generally regarding as one of the most painful conditions a person can experience. Associated features may include tearing of the painful eye (lacrimation), eye redness (conjunctival injection), nasal congestion, or nasal drainage (rhinorrhea) on the same side as the pain. Often between attacks, patients will note a dull pain around the temple or eye. Men are much more likely than women to experience these headaches. Symptoms tend to start at a young age, in between 20 and 40 years of age. Frequency of HeadachesHeadaches tend to occur once of twice per day and may even occur at the same time of day or night (awakening a person from sleep, at times). The headache is named for its tendency to occur in clusters. So, for example, a patient may have headaches every day for a month - then not have headaches for the rest of the year - only to have them return again the following year. Some patients tend to experience headache clusters in the spring or fall. 10-20% of patients don't experience a long reprieve from headaches - meaning they never get an extended break of being headache-free - these patients are suffering from chronic cluster headaches.For information on treatment, choose from the following options:Cluster headache treatments (How to treat them when they occur)Cluster headache prevention (How to prevent them from occurring) Return from CLUSTER HEADACHES to HOME
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