Cluster headache lasting days: what to know

Cluster headache is marked by repeated severe attacks, often around one eye, with tearing, redness, nasal blockage, or restlessness. A person may have several attacks across days while feeling relatively better between them. Pain that never eases, lasts longer than your usual attacks, shifts sides, or develops new symptoms may not follow that pattern. Migraine, medication overuse, infection, an eye problem, or another cause can produce prolonged headache and should be considered by a clinician.

Seek medical advice if headache continues across days, particularly when this is a new pattern or prescribed treatment is not helping. Keep a diary of each attack rather than recording only the overall cluster period: note onset, end, side, severity, eye and nasal symptoms, sleep, possible triggers, and medicines. Drink normally, rest safely, and do not repeatedly take extra doses without advice. A GP consultation can help decide whether examination, referral, acute treatment, or prevention is needed.

Get emergency help for a sudden severe headache, new weakness, numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, speech difficulty, vision loss, fever with a stiff neck, or a painful red eye with vomiting. Seek urgent review if headache follows injury, steadily worsens, causes dehydration from vomiting, or remains severe without breaks. For related information, read [Headache](/symptoms/headache/) and [Facial Pain and Pressure](/symptoms/facial-pain-and-pressure/).

Are these separate attacks or one continuous headache? What other causes should be checked? How should I record attacks? Which treatment is appropriate now? What pattern should prompt emergency care?