What is the Difference Between Migraines and Cluster Headaches?
WRITTEN BY ZOE SMITH, PHARMACIST AND PROFESSIONAL HEALTH WRITER
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THIS ARTICLE IS COPYWRITTEN FOR YOURNATURALHEALINGCOACH ALONE AND ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
YOU WILL SEE AFFILIATE LINKS IN THIS ARTICLE THAT I HAVE SPECIFICALLY CHOSEN FOR YOU. PLEASE READ MY PRIVACY POLICY
What is a cluster headache or a migraine?
Headaches are conditions that cause pain in the head, face, and upper face, and they vary in frequency and intensity. Different types of headaches exist and are classified into two broad groups- primary and secondary.
Primary headaches are headaches of independent causes affecting the head, face, and neck. On the other hand, secondary headaches are a result of a pre-existing medical condition such as an infection, stress, or medical overuse.
Examples of primary headaches include cluster headaches and migraines.
Cluster headaches (CH) are a primary headache disorder, and the most common of the group of headache disorders is called trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). The reason behind such headaches being called cluster lies in the fact that these attacks occur in groups (clusters). They come in cycles of brief,
extremely painful and severe headache attacks which recur typically daily or a few times in a day for weeks or months at a time, and then disappear.
Migraine is a primary headache disorder. It is as a result of specific physiological changes that occur within the brain and lead to the characteristic severe, throbbing, or pounding pain. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, smells, or sounds and could last hours or days. Migraines usually are restricted to one side of the head but could be on both sides in some patients.
Migraines can be with aura (classic migraine) or without aura (common migraine).
Headaches are conditions that cause pain in the head, face, and upper face, and they vary in frequency and intensity. Different types of headaches exist and are classified into two broad groups- primary and secondary.
Primary headaches are headaches of independent causes affecting the head, face, and neck. On the other hand, secondary headaches are a result of a pre-existing medical condition such as an infection, stress, or medical overuse.
Examples of primary headaches include cluster headaches and migraines.
Cluster headaches (CH) are a primary headache disorder, and the most common of the group of headache disorders is called trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). The reason behind such headaches being called cluster lies in the fact that these attacks occur in groups (clusters). They come in cycles of brief,
extremely painful and severe headache attacks which recur typically daily or a few times in a day for weeks or months at a time, and then disappear.
Migraine is a primary headache disorder. It is as a result of specific physiological changes that occur within the brain and lead to the characteristic severe, throbbing, or pounding pain. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, smells, or sounds and could last hours or days. Migraines usually are restricted to one side of the head but could be on both sides in some patients.
Migraines can be with aura (classic migraine) or without aura (common migraine).
What are the Difference in Migraines and Cluster Headaches
Migraines are more prevalent than cluster headaches in the global adult population, affecting approximately 10% as opposed to the 0.1% of cluster headaches. Also, migraines are frequently seen in females, while CH occurs more in males.
The age of onset of CH is most often between 20 and 40, while migraines usually begin in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood.
In terms of attack duration when untreated, CH lasts between 15-180 minutes while migraines go for more extended periods of 4 to 72 hours. Cluster headaches could occur for as much as 1 to 8 times daily for weeks. Migraines, however, happen 1 to 7 times per month.
Signs and Symptoms
Cluster headaches
They are usually restricted to the affected side of the head and include the following:
Migraines
Different people experience migraines differently. Some may have a warning symptom referred to as an aura, while some may not. In most people, the symptoms of migraines occur in stages. These stages are:
Migraines are more prevalent than cluster headaches in the global adult population, affecting approximately 10% as opposed to the 0.1% of cluster headaches. Also, migraines are frequently seen in females, while CH occurs more in males.
The age of onset of CH is most often between 20 and 40, while migraines usually begin in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood.
In terms of attack duration when untreated, CH lasts between 15-180 minutes while migraines go for more extended periods of 4 to 72 hours. Cluster headaches could occur for as much as 1 to 8 times daily for weeks. Migraines, however, happen 1 to 7 times per month.
Signs and Symptoms
Cluster headaches
They are usually restricted to the affected side of the head and include the following:
- Severe pain on one side of the head
- Sudden onset of pain
- Red or teary eye
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Flushing of the face
- Sweating
- Occurs often in the night
- Symptoms are shorter in duration but more frequent
- Smaller pupil or drooping of the eyelids on the affected side
- Restlessness
Migraines
Different people experience migraines differently. Some may have a warning symptom referred to as an aura, while some may not. In most people, the symptoms of migraines occur in stages. These stages are:
- Prodrome
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Mood changes
- Food cravings or lack of appetite
- Neck stiffness
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Frequent yawning
- Aura
Examples include:
- Visual phenomena like seeing black dots, various shapes or flashes of light
- Loss of vision
- Difficulty speaking
- Hearing loud noises or ringing in the ears
- Numbness in the face or one side of the body
- Involuntary muscle movements
- Attack
- Pain on one side of the head, or both sides.
- Pulsing or throbbing pain
- Pain that worsens with physical exertion
- Sensitivity to light, smell, sound, and touch
- Nausea and vomiting
- The headache lasts for about 4 hours upwards, till like 3 days.
- Postdrome
- Feeling tired or drained
- Feeling confused
- Feeling elated
- Muscle weakness
Learn the Causes
Cluster Headaches
The actual cause of cluster headaches is unknown. Reports have stated that when the blood vessels of the brain and the face are dilated or widened, the pressure is applied to the trigeminal nerve, which transmits sensations from the face to the brain, thus causing pain.
A study also linked it to the rise of whole blood histamine, the chemical that fights allergens, and serotonin, the neurotransmitter which regulates mood.
It is also believed that abnormalities in the hypothalamus of the brain may also be responsible.
Migraine
The causes of migraines are not fully understood. However, genetics and environment have been reported to play a role, alongside triggers such as stress, lack of sleep, hunger, caffeine withdrawal, chemical odors, amongst others.
According to studies, migraines occur when certain triggers bring about irritation and inflammation in the brain and result in dilation of the cranial blood vessels. This then interacts with the trigeminal nerve, which causes a response to these pain factors and, eventually, headaches.
Hormonal changes in women have also been implicated; fluctuations in estrogen levels and a decrease in blood serotonin.
Cluster Headaches
The actual cause of cluster headaches is unknown. Reports have stated that when the blood vessels of the brain and the face are dilated or widened, the pressure is applied to the trigeminal nerve, which transmits sensations from the face to the brain, thus causing pain.
A study also linked it to the rise of whole blood histamine, the chemical that fights allergens, and serotonin, the neurotransmitter which regulates mood.
It is also believed that abnormalities in the hypothalamus of the brain may also be responsible.
Migraine
The causes of migraines are not fully understood. However, genetics and environment have been reported to play a role, alongside triggers such as stress, lack of sleep, hunger, caffeine withdrawal, chemical odors, amongst others.
According to studies, migraines occur when certain triggers bring about irritation and inflammation in the brain and result in dilation of the cranial blood vessels. This then interacts with the trigeminal nerve, which causes a response to these pain factors and, eventually, headaches.
Hormonal changes in women have also been implicated; fluctuations in estrogen levels and a decrease in blood serotonin.
What to Do in an Emergency Situation
If you’ve had a diagnosis of cluster headaches, ensure you seek emergency care if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
If you have a diagnosis of migraine, seek emergency medical attention when you experience the following signs:
If you’ve had a diagnosis of cluster headaches, ensure you seek emergency care if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
- An abrupt, severe headache
- A headache after a head injury, particularly if it worsens
- A sudden, severe headache different from previous ones
- A headache that worsens with time and changes in the pattern
- A headache with fever, nausea and vomiting, numbness, speaking difficulty, and mental confusion.
If you have a diagnosis of migraine, seek emergency medical attention when you experience the following signs:
- Sudden onset headache or change in baseline headache
- A high fever
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Neck stiffness
- Visual and speech changes
- Changes in mental alertness
- Confusion
How to Treat Migraines and Cluster Headaches
I and many of my clients have a history of excruciating pain and many have spent thousands of dollars and many horrible nights in pain. I personally suffered for 15 years and just wanted to have a day when I did not suffer any more. It was not until I found Nigella Sativa till I found the real cure. The treatment is quite simple actually.
My migraines would eventually go into cluster headaches and so this remedy works for both and I have never had a headache since. That has been 20 years now.
Directions:
1. Take two teaspoons of black seed oil with one teaspoon of honey 1/2 hour before breakfast.
2. At the first sign of a headache place a drop of black seed oil in each nostril and breathe in the aroma and massage all areas of pain with the oil. It does not take much. (back of neck, top of head, temples, sinus areas, etc)
Most will eliminate their headache problems in 24 hours but you must continue with the use of black seed oil daily for life. Think of black seed oil as a multi-vitamin. It is proven with over 1000 peer reviews to be a cure for all disease but death.
My migraines would eventually go into cluster headaches and so this remedy works for both and I have never had a headache since. That has been 20 years now.
Directions:
1. Take two teaspoons of black seed oil with one teaspoon of honey 1/2 hour before breakfast.
2. At the first sign of a headache place a drop of black seed oil in each nostril and breathe in the aroma and massage all areas of pain with the oil. It does not take much. (back of neck, top of head, temples, sinus areas, etc)
Most will eliminate their headache problems in 24 hours but you must continue with the use of black seed oil daily for life. Think of black seed oil as a multi-vitamin. It is proven with over 1000 peer reviews to be a cure for all disease but death.
Which Black Seed Oil Do I use?
After reviewing many oils and their companies I have found only two oils I can suggest. The first one is Perfect Press Black Seed Oil from Activation. It is the cheapest price and an oil I have recommended for many years with many testimonies. If you buy this oil then use discount coupon LIFE15 and save an additional 15%. The other one is Andreas Seed Oils, a former partner of Ian Clark who owns Activation.
