Episodic cluster headache

Cluster headache is not a migraine subtype

Cluster headache causes extremely severe one-sided orbital, supraorbital or temporal pain lasting about 15–180 minutes, often with same-side tearing, eye redness, nasal symptoms, eyelid change or marked restlessness. Attacks can occur repeatedly during cluster periods and deserve specialist assessment.

Understanding episodic cluster headache

This page explains the recognised pattern associated with episodic cluster headache and where it sits among migraine and headache disorders. Headache conditions can overlap, and the same person can experience more than one headache pattern.

How clinicians separate headache patterns

Diagnosis usually depends on the history: frequency, duration, pain features, associated symptoms, neurological symptoms, autonomic symptoms, medication use and examination. Imaging or other tests may be used when another cause needs to be considered; there is not one scan or blood test that proves migraine.

What can look similar

Migraine, tension-type headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, neuralgias and secondary headaches can share features. New or unusual symptoms should not be forced into a familiar migraine label without appropriate medical assessment.

Treatment conversations

Treatment depends on the actual diagnosis, attack burden, disability, other conditions and previous treatment. Clea can explain the treatment landscape and organise your history, but a clinician determines diagnosis and individual treatment suitability.

What to notice

The useful question is not simply whether episodic cluster headache happened once. Look for a repeatable pattern across attacks: when it appears, how long it lasts, what other symptoms occur with it and how much it changes normal activity.

• Timing and duration
• Frequency
• Symptoms that occur with it
• Impact on work, school or daily life
• What you tried and what happened next

What to track in Clea

Record headache or migraine days, severity, associated symptoms, medicines used and the context around the episode. Several weeks of consistent observations are usually more useful than trying to prove a cause from one attack.

• Headache and migraine-like days
• Severity and function
• Associated symptoms
• Acute medicine days
• Anything that changed around the pattern

How to use this at an appointment

Bring the pattern rather than a conclusion. A clinician can interpret episodic cluster headache alongside your examination, medical history, medicines, other conditions and any warning signs. Clea can help you turn your record into a concise appointment summary.

• When did this begin?
• Has it changed?
• How often does it happen?
• What else occurs at the same time?
• What do you most want help with?

When to get medical advice

Arrange medical review when symptoms are new, changing, frequent, disabling or difficult to manage. A sudden severe headache, major new neurological symptoms, seizure, confusion, fever with neck stiffness, major vision change or significant loss of balance needs urgent assessment.