Cluster Headache Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Are Cluster Headaches?

Cluster headache (CH) is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, severe headaches on one side of the head, typically around the eye.

Cluster headache belongs to a group of primary headache disorders, classified as the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias or (TACs)

Bouts of frequent attacks, known as cluster periods, may last from weeks to months, usually followed by remission periods when the headache attacks stop completely.

They usually start at the age of 30 and are more common in men than women.

Causes Of Cluster Headache:

The exact cause of cluster headaches are yet unknown.

However, the following factors may play a role:

Genetics
Cluster headache may, but rarely, run in some families in anautosomal dominant inheritance pattern.
People with afirst degree relative with the condition are more likely to develop it themselves,
Tobacco smoking
Dysfunction of the hypothalamus
Alcohol use

Symptoms Of Cluster Headache:

Common signs and symptoms may include the following:

Excruciating pain, generally located in or around one eye, but may radiate to other areas of the face, head, neck and shoulders
One-sided pain
Restlessness
Excessive tearing
Redness in the eye on the affected side
Stuffy or runny nasal passage in the nostril on the affected side of the face
Sweaty, pale skin (pallor) on the face
Swelling around the eye on the affected side of the face
Drooping eyelid