What are cluster migraines?

Answer 1

"A cluster headache is one of the most painful types of headache. It's also distinctive in ways other than the severity of the pain. A striking feature of cluster headache is that the attacks occur in cyclical patterns, or clusters - which gives the condition its name."

Cluster headaches come on suddenly and escalate quickly, it also ends just as quickly. The pain is one-sided, and involves the eye. They are generally over within 30 minutes, although they can be as short as 15 minutes or stretch to three excruciating hours. They often occur during the same of day, and most attacks happen from 9pm to 9am. There are studies which link cluster headaches to the disruption of circadian rhythms. This is why many cluster sufferers have their attack cycle during the changing of the seasons.

Attack cycles generally last from two to twelve weeks.

Other signs and symptoms that may accompany cluster headache include: * Stuffy or runny nasal passage in the nostril on the affected side of your face * Flushing on the affected side of your face * Sweaty, pale skin (pallor) * Swelling around the eye on the affected side of your face * Reduced pupil size * Drooping eyelid

Only some of the medications that work on migraine assist with cluster headache.

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Answer 2

Cluster and migraine are very different diagnoses: Cluster headache is a primary headache disorder. Cluster headaches are excruciatingly painful and of short duration. Migraine is a primary headache disorder. Migraine may be extremely painful - even excruciating - but attacks can sometimes come without any pain. Attacks last hours to days. Chronic patients may have attacks daily.

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Short answer (from a cluster headache sufferer) - Cluster headaches happen mostly in men, over the age of 30, who are, or have been former smokers. The pain is very intense on one side of the head. "Headache" is a very light word for the type of pain a person experiences. In the small amount of woman who have this condition, they say the pain is worse than childbirth. Nickname of this headache is "suicide headache". Duration is usually around 45 minutes. Common relief is a home oxygen tank set at 10-12 Liters per minute for 10 minutes using a "non-re-breather mask", or Imitrex injection of 4mg. Common prevention is a blood pressure medication, verapamil, taken daily. Common triggers of this headache are beer or wine, or certain smells. Because the pain originates in the nasal area, this type of headache is commonly misdiagnosed as sinus infection and sinus surgery is recommended mistakenly. A good neurologist is needed to diagnose this condition. Not all treatments work for all people. A person suffering from this type of headache may get one or two daily for a period of several weeks or months and then be in remission for several months. Some people who suffer from this condition are chronic, meaning there is no remission.

Answer 3

The International Headache Society does not recognize a diagnosis of cluster Migraine. This is an old term that has been abandoned. For more information check out how headaches are diagnosed in the ICHD-II.

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One-sided headaches that occur in groups. The pain is usually sudden and may happen daily, continuing for weeks or months. After which, you may not have another for months to years.
The ICHD-II does not recognize a diagnosis of cluster Migraine. It is an old term that no longer applies.