Understand Migraines and Cluster Headaches
Migraines and cluster headaches cause intense, throbbing pain on one side of the head. With a migraine, you may have nausea and vomiting and be sensitive to light and sound. You may also have warning signs, such as flashing lights or loss of parts of your vision, before the pain starts. This is called an aura.
Migraines are three times more common in women than men. This may be due to hormonal changes during menstruation. Typical migraines may last four to 72 hours untreated.
Cluster headaches recur in groups for days, weeks, or months. The pain is centered around or behind one eye. The eye may also become red or teary, or the eyelid may droop. Migraines and cluster headaches can have many triggers.
Keep in mind that miscommunication leads to misunderstandings, which in turn can lead to stress, a common trigger for migraines. Be sure to note information like:
- What symptoms signal an impending headache (an aura, for example)
- What happens during your headache (you may be sensitive to light or sounds, or feel nauseated)
- What you need to help you cope while you have a headache (you may need to lie in a dark room, for instance)
- What medicines you take to help prevent headaches
- How long a headache lasts
- How often you have a headache
Treatment options are available. Typically used to treat wrinkles, Botox® has also been shown to work for migraine headaches by blocking chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain. Learn more about migraine treatment.