What should you know about cluster headaches everyday?

Cluster attacks often affect one side, commonly around the eye or temple, and may bring tearing, a runny or blocked nostril, eyelid swelling, or strong restlessness. They can recur at similar times over a period, followed by symptom-free gaps for some people. Head pain that is present every day without a clear attack pattern may instead reflect migraine, medication-overuse headache, tension-type headache, or another condition. The exact pattern, associated symptoms, and changes over time matter more than the label alone.

Book a GP assessment and bring a diary showing when pain begins, how long each episode lasts, which side is affected, eye or nose changes, sleep, medicines, and possible triggers. Take medicines only as directed, since frequent use of some painkillers can maintain headaches. Read about [Headache](/symptoms/headache/) and [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) before your appointment.

Seek urgent care for a sudden explosive headache, new neurological symptoms, confusion, fainting, seizure, fever with neck stiffness, a new headache after a head injury, or a painful red eye with vision loss. Prompt review is also needed when a familiar pattern changes sharply or the pain is steadily worsening.

Ask whether the daily pattern fits cluster headache or another disorder, whether your medicines could be prolonging symptoms, and whether you need preventive or attack-specific treatment. Ask which diary details will make follow-up more useful.