Cluster headaches are attacks of severe pain lasting 15-180 minutes and occurring from once every other day up to eight times in one day.

Cluster headaches are characterized by a sharp, penetrating, or burning pain affecting one side of the head. The pain often appears suddenly with little warning and often occurs in and around one eye or in the temple. The excruciating pain related to a cluster headache is often compared to the sensation of a hot poker being stuck in the eye. Others compare it to the feeling of the eye being pushed out of its socket. The condition may also produce a number of other symptoms including tearing of the eyes and nasal congestion.

Migraine headaches usually have other signs and symptoms, like nausea, light sensitivity, maybe seeing colors before it hits, sensitivity to noise. The pain of a cluster headache commences quickly, without warning, and reaches a crescendo within 2 to 15 minutes. It is often excruciating in intensity, and is deep, nonfluctuating, and explosive in quality; only occasionally is it pulsatile. In addition, 10 to 20 percent of patients report superimposed paroxysms of stabbing, icepick-like pains in the periorbital region that last for a few seconds and may occur once or several times in rapid succession.

• Moderate to severe pain (often described as pounding, throbbing pain) that can affect whole head, or can shift from one side of the head to the other
• Sensitivity to light, noise or odors
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Fever (sometimes)
• Bright flashing dots or lights
• Blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting, stomach upset, abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Sensations of being very warm or cold
• Paleness

The main symptom of a migraine is a throbbing headache on one side of your head. You may also feel sick to your stomach and vomit. Activity, light, noise, or odors may make the migraine worse. The pain may move from one side of your head to the other, or you may feel it on both sides at the same time. Different people have different symptoms.

Migraine Headache Symptoms

Everyone can experience different and unique symptoms with a migraine headache. The typical symptoms are sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound, nausea and an absolutely throbbing headache that feels like someone has a vice on your forehead. After a really bad migraine, you can feel like you’re walking around with a hangover for up to three days.

What all the treatments for migraine headaches have in common is that they all change the chemistry of the brain, whether that treatment is a medication, or a daily exercise program, or avoiding certain foods. The medications fall generally into two categories: episodic medications, taken only at the time of the headache, and preventative medications that are taken daily. The type of treatment you should use depends on the severity and the frequency of your migraines.