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Cluster headaches are a type of primary headache disorder, distinct from migraines. Here are key details about cluster headaches:

Characteristics
- Pain: Exceedingly painful, short-term attacks affecting one side of the body.
- Duration: Episodes last from 15 minutes to three hours, occurring up to eight times per day.
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Cluster headaches are a type of primary headache disorder, distinct from migraines. Here are key details about cluster headaches:

Characteristics:
- Pain: Exceedingly painful, short-term attacks affecting one side of the body.
- Duration: Episodes last from 15 minutes to three hours, occurring up to eight times per day.
- Symptoms:
- Swelling or redness of the eyes
- Teary eyes
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Forehead or facial sweating
- Drooping eyelids
- Restlessness and agitation

Causes:
- Environmental Factors: Smoking, obesity, and use of recreational drugs.
- Biological Factors: Abnormal activity in the hypothalamus, trigeminovascular system, and parts of the autonomic nervous system.
- Genetics: Possible genetic component, with some types common within families.
- Circadian Rhythms: Related to sleep patterns and melatonin levels.

Diagnosis:
- Criteria: Based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders.
- Process: Involves ruling out physical or functional causes and gathering detailed history of attacks and symptoms.

Treatment:
- Acute Treatments: Aim to alleviate symptoms during an attack.
- Preventive Treatments: Aim to avoid attacks during active periods.
- Chronic Cases: May require long-term prescription medications.

Impact:
- Quality of Life: Major effects due to frequency and severity of pain.
- Daily Activities: Negative impact reported by most sufferers.
- Sleep: Poor quality of sleep, especially in regions with long daylight periods.

Prevalence:
- Demographics: More prevalent in men, typically developing between ages 20 and 40.
- Statistics: About 1 in 1,000 adults in the U.S. have experienced a cluster headache attack.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the source: [What To Know About Cluster Headaches | MyMigraineTeam](https://www.MyMigraineTeam.com/resources/what-t...).

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What To Know About Cluster Headaches | MyMigraineTeam

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