Understand Cluster Headache: The Silent Storm In Your Head!

• Written by Sejal Singhania

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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Have you ever felt a sharp stabbing pain around one of your eyes at the same time each day?

This could be a sign of cluster headaches.

Often described as one of the most intense types of headaches, cluster headache can significantly disrupt routine life. They typically occur at the same time, within regular intervals, and hit a specific area around/behind the eyes with extreme aches. While less common than tension-led headaches, they are quite disruptive. Let’s discuss this in detail.

What Is a Cluster Headache?

Cluster headaches are a type of headache disorder characterised by recurring, severe, and unilateral pain. They cause severe pain around or behind one eye on one side of the head. These attacks can occur daily for weeks to months, usually at the same time each day, and up to eight times per day. 

Cluster headaches may be mistaken for migraines, sinus headaches, or tension headaches. However, they have a significant impact on life, and are treatable.

Important note: Cluster headaches are not to be confused with migraine headaches. The former are shorter in duration, but quite intensely painful.

How Painful are Cluster Headaches?

Cluster headaches are commonly referred to as "suicide headaches" due to their severe, painful nature. The intensity of the pain has been compared to giving birth or even passing a kidney stone. These attacks can be intolerable, often preventing individuals from attending work, school, or engaging in usual activities.

Do Cluster Headaches Differ From Other Types of Headaches?

Throughout life, most individuals have experienced various types of headaches, however, it's helpful to be aware of a distinct type known as cluster headaches. There are two main types of cluster headache:

• Episodic Cluster Headache (ECH) - Clusters of headaches that last anywhere from seven days to a year are the hallmark of this type of headache, featuring cyclical attack patterns. Autonomic signs, such as weeping, a runny nose, or a drooping eyelid on the same side as the pain, are often present during these headaches, which usually last 15 minutes to three hours. 
• Chronic Cluster Headache (CCH) - In this type, headaches occur continuously without significant breaks. Chronic cluster headaches can start unremittingly or develop from episodic ones. These attacks lasting from 15 minutes to 3 hours, may occur several times a day during a cluster period. Patients with CCH experience ongoing attacks for over a year, or with remissions lasting less than three months.

Other Types of Headache

Given below are some of the other types of headaches: 

• Migraines: A migraine causes a throbbing headache, typically on one side that worsens with physical activity, lights, sounds, or smells.
• Sinus headaches: A sinus headache causes dull pain behind the eyes, cheekbones, forehead, or nose, often due to sinus infections (sinusitis).
• Tension headaches: The most common type of primary headache. It causes mild-to-moderate pain, which feels like a tight band around your head.

More than JUST Pain: Cluster Headache Symptoms

Cluster headache symptoms are easily recognisable due to their distinctive nature. Firstly, cluster headaches are far more intense than any other headache that an individual might experience. While pain is the most agonising of all cluster migraine symptoms, let’s discuss some othersigns below.

• A sharp, burning, or piercing pain around the eye, usually on one side of the head.
• Headaches that occur during specific times of the day or at the same time of year.
• Headaches that come and go suddenly and without warning.
• Restlessness due to a headache.
• Headaches that last between 15 minutes and 3 hours.

Autonomic Cluster Headache Symptoms

As the name suggests, cluster headaches are often accompanied by a group of autonomic nervous system symptoms that make the experience even more challenging. These include:

• Nasal congestion: Nasal symptoms, similar to a cold but localised, affecting the side of the face where the headache is occurring.
• Watery eyes (usually one side): The eye impacted by the pain may turn red, with irritation,and become teary.
• Swelling: The affected eye may become puffy or bloodshot, adding to the discomfort.
• Facial sweating: This often manifests as noticeable sweating on the affected side of the face.
• Drooping eyelid: This symptom creates a lopsided appearance, contributing to the feeling of disorientation and discomfort.

What Causes Cluster Headache? The Real Culprits!

The causes of cluster headache are untraceable; however researchers have highlighted the involvement of the hypothalamus in this condition. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain responsible for the body clock and sleep cycles. Understanding the potential cluster headache reasons can contribute well to managing the condition and reducing the frequency of attacks. Here are certain triggers that can cause cluster headaches: 

• Cigarette smoke
• Alcohol
• Strong smells
• Change to a high altitude. 
• Bright light
• Exercise or other vigorous activity.
• Being hot
• Foods with nitrates, such as bacon or lunch meat.
• Cocaine

How to Treat Cluster Headaches?

While there is no ‘surefire’ way to negate the impact of cluster headaches, there are still several cluster headache treatments that can help minimise the severity of this condition.

• Oxygen therapy: Oxygen therapy is one of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of cluster headache causes. Inhaling 100% pure oxygen through a mask can abort an attack in about 15 minutes.
• Sumatriptan injections: These injections are one of the effective ways to cure cluster headache symptoms, providing relief within 10-15 minutes.
• Nasal sprays: Sumatriptan and zolmitriptan nasal sprays make a good alternative for individuals who can’t tolerate injections.
• Neuromodulation therapies: Neuromodulation devices are effective in reducing the effects of cluster headaches.
• Lifestyle adjustments: Stress management practices such as yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises are recommended to deal with cluster headache symptoms. Maintaining sleep patterns and avoiding alcohol and other such triggers count a lot in the long run.

>>Read More: Having a Headache? 7 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Final Note

Cluster headaches can seem daunting from time to time, considering their consistency. However, the right approach (read timely treatment and healthy lifestyle) can help you fight back the cluster headaches with ease. While early diagnosis, medication, and therapies are there to treat the condition, should it grow more intense, it may also be financially concerning.

That’s where a comprehensive health insurance plan enters the scene. You can count on well-curated health coverage from Care Health Insurance to ease the financial burden of long-term treatments off your shoulders. Investing in the right health coverage will make sure you’re prepared for any medical emergency that comes your way, and treat it without worrying about money matters.

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential when purchasing health insurance. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to confirm the details of your health concerns.