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Cluster headache causes severe unilateral pain with autonomic features, occurring in clusters of attacks.
Quick Answer
Cluster headache causes severe unilateral pain with autonomic features, occurring in clusters of attacks. Dr. Jitendra Prasad Yadav (NMC 8029, 15+ years of clinical experience) evaluates cluster headache at Kathmandu Neurology Clinic & Cognitive Center, Durbar Marg, Opposite of Yak & Yeti Hotel, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal — evidence-based, medically reviewed.
Attacks are brief (15–180 minutes) but severe, often around the eye or temple, with restlessness and ipsilateral tearing, nasal congestion, or eyelid droop. Periods of remission may separate clusters.
Clinical diagnosis based on attack characteristics; need to exclude mimics. Prompt evaluation is advised due to severity.
Needs individualized specialist assessment; management differs substantially from migraine and tension-type headache and requires medical supervision.
Management is individualized and discussed with benefits, limitations, and follow-up.
Avoid identified triggers during cluster period and maintain regular follow-up when under specialist care.
No; they are distinct disorders with different attack duration, features, and management.
Attacks occur in clusters — multiple attacks within a short time span, separated by pain-free periods lasting weeks to months.
Triggers during a cluster period may include alcohol, nitrates, and certain foods. Outside the cluster period, these same triggers do not usually provoke attacks.
In some patients, oxygen may provide relief; however, treatment needs to be individualized by a specialist.
Cluster headache is severe, unilateral, brief (15–180 min), occurs multiple times daily in clusters, and has distinctive autonomic features (tearing, nasal congestion, eyelid droop) on the pain side.
Migraine is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent headache episodes, often with nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and sometimes aura.
Trigeminal neuralgia causes brief, severe facial pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, often triggered by light touch.
Headache
When to See a Neurologist for Headaches in Kathmandu
Headache is common, but some patterns deserve neurologist input —— frequency, disability, red flags, and what Kathmandu patients should watch.
Migraine
Migraine vs Ordinary Headache: How to Tell the Difference
Migraine is more than a strong headache —— timing, associated symptoms, and disability distinguish it from tension-type and cluster headache.
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Reviewed by Dr. Jitendra Prasad Yadav • Last reviewed: 2026-09-04
Authoritative external references:
Content is educational and aligns with standard medical references; individual evaluation may vary. External links provide context and do not imply endorsement.
Doctor — medically reviewed
Dr. Jitendra Prasad Yadav
Consultant Neurologist & Headache Specialist • MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine), FICN (Neurology), FCNV, FIHM • NMC 8029
This condition guide was medically reviewed by Dr. Jitendra Prasad Yadav.
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For sudden neurologic change, thunderclap headache, or seizure >5 min, seek emergency services now.