What should you know about horton headache?

An attack commonly causes intense pain on one side of the head, often around or behind one eye. The eye on that side may water or look red, the nose may run or feel blocked, and the eyelid can droop or swell. Restlessness during an attack is common. Attacks may recur in a pattern over days or weeks, with symptom-free periods for some people. A severe headache is not automatically a cluster headache: dehydration, heat exhaustion, sinus problems, viral illness and other conditions can also cause head pain.

Arrange a medical appointment if attacks are new, repeated or severe. Record the start time, duration, side, eye and nose symptoms, possible triggers, sleep pattern and any medicines taken. During an attack, sit somewhere safe and avoid driving. Do not repeatedly take pain medicines without advice, because frequent use can create additional headache problems. A clinician may need to distinguish this pattern from migraine, infection or another cause and discuss treatments suited to the attack and prevention.

Seek emergency help for a sudden severe headache, a new headache after a head injury, weakness, confusion, fainting, seizure, trouble speaking, vision loss, fever with a stiff neck, or persistent vomiting. Urgent assessment is also needed when a new severe headache occurs during pregnancy or with a painful red eye. These features can signal a problem that needs rapid treatment rather than a primary headache disorder.

Ask whether the attack pattern fits cluster headache, whether you need an examination or imaging, which treatment should be used at the first sign of an attack, and how to reduce recurrence. Share your headache diary and a complete list of medicines and supplements.