Cluster headaches are less common and less severe than migraines, but they have some similar symptoms. Headache pain can last from 15 minutes to 72 hours and is often one-sided. Unlike migraines, which are throbbing headaches, cluster headaches are sharp or piercing pain. The pain can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Stress, illness, weather changes, and fatigue can trigger cluster headaches.
Migraine is temporary, lasting less than 3 days. Cluster Headaches last 3 months to 1 year. Migraine Headaches can be triggered by lack of sleep, overexertion, or drinking too much alcohol. Clicking and stabbing pain, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound are common symptoms. Cluster Headaches are characterized by intense pain, often only on one side of the head.
A Cluster headache causes headache attacks that occur frequently and intensely over weeks or months. Migraines are episodic headaches and non-cluster headaches that last for less than an hour. Some types of headaches may involve pain on one side only. Migraines and cluster headaches may be differentiated by the pain intensity and frequency.
Both Migraine and Cluster Headache cause severe pain and throbbing or pulsating headaches, usually on one side of the head. But Migraines are severe and may lead to nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. On the other hand, Cluster Headaches usually occur at frequent intervals and last from seconds to hours.
What hurts more, Migraine or Cluster Headaches?
Migraine and Cluster Headaches are similar in that they both involve strong throbbing pain in the head. However, Migraine sufferers experience pain on one side of the head, whereas Cluster Headaches affect both sides of the head.
Cluster headaches are likely to occur sporadically during the day. They are 10 times more likely than migraines to cause loss of consciousness. Migraines may also cause loss of consciousness, but that’s much less likely; as the Mayo Clinic says, “Loss of consciousness and unconsciousness during a migraine attack is extremely rare.”
Migraines are a type of headache that is the result of abnormal brain activity. Migraines can cause intense throbbing or pulsing pain in front of the eyes, behind the eyes, or on both sides of the head. Cluster headaches are severe, short, intense headaches that occur in cycles and can last from several minutes to several days. Cluster headaches have many triggers, including weather, exercise, alcohol, and fever.
Migraines are bad, but Cluster Headaches are even worse. When migraines occur, the sufferer’s brain sends signals to the trigeminal nerve, which releases substances called neurotransmitters that trigger the headache. Cluster headaches, on the other hand, are caused by a spasm of the trigeminal nerve, which affects all the structures of the face. The pain is so severe that patients often describe their sensations as “like being stabbed in the eye.”
Migraine hurts more than Cluster Headaches, with 8/10 patients attributing the pain to Migraine. Cluster Headaches, on the other hand, tend to fall under the ‘uncertain’ category, with 7/10 of patients attributing the pain to Cluster Headaches.
What is the difference between Migraine and Cluster Headaches?
There is a difference between migraines and cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are the most severe and are more common in people aged 40-64 years. Migraines can occur at any age but are most likely to affect women.
Migraine differs from Cluster Headaches by the frequency, duration, and location of the pain. Migraine usually lasts less than 72 hours but may be accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, vomiting, and blurred vision. Cluster Headaches usually last less than 6 months and are characterized by constant, severe headaches. Both Migraine and Cluster Headaches present with headaches on both sides of the head.
Cluster headaches often begin during puberty, while migraines usually start during adulthood. Cluster headaches typically occur in one region of the head but are not accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Cluster headaches can be so severe that victims need emergency medical help. Unlike migraines, cluster headaches do not regularly cause excruciating pain.
How to treat Migraine and Cluster Headaches?
Migraine is a devastating neurological disorder. Migraine affects 16% of adults, and 30% of women experience migraines. Migraine sufferers have a 5-10 times higher chance of stroke, and 30% of stroke victims have a migraine prior to their stroke. Migraines can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Treatment options include medications, lifestyle modifications, and Botox injections.
Migraine headaches are excruciatingly painful, and cluster headaches are totally debilitating. Migraine affects roughly 18% of Americans, and 2% of the world suffers from it. According to neurologists, the disorder has different causes. While genetics plays a major role, some migraine symptoms are triggered by environmental factors.
Migraine prevention is technically sound. Each person has to find his or her own way of preventing migraines, but here are a few examples: avoid skipping meals, Keep regular office hours, avoid staying up late, avoid drinking alcohol, avoid traveling, avoid stressful situations, avoid caffeine, and avoid smoke.
Treatment of migraines and cluster headaches includes lifestyle changes, medication (which may be combined with surgery), and surgery. Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, avoiding foods and beverages that can trigger an episode, and getting regular exercise, may help some migraines and may help prevent cluster headaches. If you’re looking for additional treatment options for Migraine and Cluster Headaches, you can check out clinical trials at Power.