Pain relief for cluster headaches

Cluster headaches cause severe pain, commonly around one eye or one side of the head. The painful side may have a watery or red eye, blocked or runny nose, eyelid swelling or facial sweating. Attacks can arrive repeatedly during a cluster period and may make you restless. This pattern differs from many other headaches, so a new one-sided severe headache deserves medical assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

Arrange a prompt GP or neurology assessment to confirm the diagnosis and create an attack plan. A clinician may prescribe fast-acting oxygen or a specific headache medicine when appropriate; tablets that take longer to work may not match the speed of an attack. Keep a record of start time, duration, side, eye or nose symptoms, triggers and medicines used. Avoid alcohol during a cluster period if it reliably brings on attacks, and do not repeatedly increase painkiller doses without advice.

Call emergency services for a sudden maximal headache, new weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, stiff neck with fever, or a severe headache after a head injury. Seek same-day care for a first severe one-sided headache, a change from your usual pattern, a painful red eye with vision change, or an attack that does not settle as expected.

Does my symptom pattern fit cluster headache or another cause? What should I use at the first sign of an attack? Do I need preventive treatment, specialist review or an examination of my eyes and nerves?