What is the hallmark of cluster headaches?

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Multiple Choice

What is the hallmark of cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches are defined by attacks that occur in a regular, time-linked pattern. The hallmark is a circadian rhythm: attacks tend to happen at about the same time each day, often waking patients at night, and they occur in clusters over weeks to months with periods of remission in between. This daily clock-driven pattern helps distinguish them from other headaches. Each attack is typically one-sided, around the orbit or temple, and is accompanied on the same side by autonomic symptoms such as tearing, nasal congestion, and eyelid droop. The pain is severe, sharp or stabbing, and lasts relatively briefly—about 15 to 180 minutes if untreated. This makes other statements inaccurate: attacks lasting longer than 24 hours aren’t characteristic of cluster headaches; pain is usually unilateral rather than bilateral; and NSAIDs do not reliably relieve all attacks, with acute management instead focusing on high-flow oxygen or specific acute medications like triptans.

Cluster headaches are defined by attacks that occur in a regular, time-linked pattern. The hallmark is a circadian rhythm: attacks tend to happen at about the same time each day, often waking patients at night, and they occur in clusters over weeks to months with periods of remission in between. This daily clock-driven pattern helps distinguish them from other headaches.

Each attack is typically one-sided, around the orbit or temple, and is accompanied on the same side by autonomic symptoms such as tearing, nasal congestion, and eyelid droop. The pain is severe, sharp or stabbing, and lasts relatively briefly—about 15 to 180 minutes if untreated.

This makes other statements inaccurate: attacks lasting longer than 24 hours aren’t characteristic of cluster headaches; pain is usually unilateral rather than bilateral; and NSAIDs do not reliably relieve all attacks, with acute management instead focusing on high-flow oxygen or specific acute medications like triptans.

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