10 Causes of Cluster Headaches
Article Sources
- 1. 'Cluster Headaches.' Cedars Sinai, Cedars Sinai, www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/cluster-headaches.html.
- 2. 'Cluster Headache. The Migraine Trust, The Migraine Trust, 19 Feb. 2021, www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/types-of-migraine/other-headache-disorders/cluster-headache/.
- 3. Brandon May. 'Tobacco, Alcohol Use May Predict Cluster Headache Severity.' Neurology Advisor, Haymarket Media, Inc., 18 Dec. 2018, www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/migraine-and-headache/tobacco-alcohol-use-may-predict-cluster-headache-severity/.
- 4. Noseda, Rodrigo, et al. 'Migraine Photophobia Originating in Cone-Driven Retinal Pathways.' Brain, vol. 139, no. 7, 2016, pp. 1971–1986., doi:10.1093/brain/aww119.
- 5. Mahoney, Charles, and richardcarr0 5: 'Exercise and Cluster Headache - Stretching.' The Cluster Headache Support Group, 1 June 2019, chsg.org/guide-category/coping/exercise-cluster-headache-stretching/.
- 6. 'Cluster Headaches (CHs)' Ada. Ada, Ada Health GmbH, 20 Dec. 2019, ada.com/conditions/cluster-headaches/.
- 7. Ekbom, K, et al. 'Periods of Cluster Headache Induced by Nitrate Therapy and Spontaneous Remission of Angina Pectoris During Active Clusters.' Cephalalgia, vol. 24, no. 2, 2004, pp. 92–98., doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2004.00634.x.
- 8. Fanciullacci, M. 'When Cluster Headache Was Called Histaminic Cephalalgia (Horton's Headache).' The Journal of Headache and Pain, vol. 7, no. 4, 2006, pp. 231–234., doi:10.1007/s10194-006-0296-0.
- 9. Qiu, Enchao, et al. 'Abnormal Brain Functional Connectivity of the Hypothalamus in Cluster Headaches.' PLoS ONE, vol. 8, no. 2, 2013, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057896.
- 10. 'Cluster Headache.' NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/cluster-headache/.
- 11. Ossipova, W, et al. 'Migraine Associated with Panic Attacks.' Cephalalgia, vol. 19, no. 8, 1999, pp. 728–731., doi:10.1046/j.1468-2982.1999.019008728.x.
Cluster headaches (CH) are extremely painful but not very common and rarely cause serious problems. They occur in multiple stages and usually repeat patterns experienced in earlier attacks. The pain is typically felt on one side of the head and in the neck. Attacks can last for several hours and may occur multiple times a day.
No one knows what causes cluster headaches specifically, but medical professionals have identified factors that can trigger them based on the experiences of individuals who have them. In this piece, we’ll go over potential causes for cluster headaches and possible ways to prevent them.1‘Cluster Headaches.’ Cedars Sinai, Cedars Sinai, www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/cluster-headaches.html.
1. Alcohol Use
Yep, just another medical malady that can be worsened by consuming alcohol. The imbibing of alcohol and other fermented foods and beverages has been linked to the development of cluster headache episodes, with sufferers reporting the set-in of symptoms occurring sometimes only an hour after consuming alcohol.2‘Cluster Headache. The Migraine Trust, The Migraine Trust, 19 Feb. 2021, www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/types-of-migraine/other-headache-disorders/cluster-headache/.
However, there is a silver lining for alcohol users. According to a study published in Cephalalgia that administered questionnaires to Swedish cluster headache sufferers, respondents who consumed less alcohol reported more intense attacks, while the severity of attacks for regular drinkers was lower.3Brandon May. ‘Tobacco, Alcohol Use May Predict Cluster Headache Severity.’ Neurology Advisor, Haymarket Media, Inc., 18 Dec. 2018, www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/migraine-and-headache/tobacco-alcohol-use-may-predict-cluster-headache-severity/.
2. Poor Lighting
The lighting we experience on a daily basis plays a clear role in our health, and bad lighting can trigger cluster headaches. Lights that are too dim can cause eye strain and tension in the head and neck, which can trigger episodes for people who experience cluster headaches.
Bright fluorescent lights and even exposure to excessive sunlight can also trigger an attack.1‘Cluster Headaches.’ Cedars Sinai, Cedars Sinai, www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/cluster-headaches.html. Interestingly, studies have shown that green lighting has a much lower impact on migraine severity and may reduce attacks.4Noseda, Rodrigo, et al. ‘Migraine Photophobia Originating in Cone-Driven Retinal Pathways.’ Brain, vol. 139, no. 7, 2016, pp. 1971–1986., doi:10.1093/brain/aww119.
3. Physical Exertion
Exercise has plenty of positive health impacts on the body for most people, but for individuals with cluster headaches, it can sometimes cause an attack. Those who experience CH may want to keep exercise sessions brief and avoid working too hard, as people with this condition have reported attacks occurring during or after exercising.2‘Cluster Headache. The Migraine Trust, The Migraine Trust, 19 Feb. 2021, www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/types-of-migraine/other-headache-disorders/cluster-headache/.
However, the jury is still out, as some medical professionals actually recommend exercising to help reduce the severity or onslaught of cluster headaches.5Mahoney, Charles, and richardcarr0 5: ‘Exercise and Cluster Headache - Stretching.’ The Cluster Headache Support Group, 1 June 2019, chsg.org/guide-category/coping/exercise-cluster-headache-stretching/.
4. Heat
Many people with cluster headaches report high heat and humidity can trigger attacks. To avoid dealing with an attack brought on by high heat, a cool bath combined with lying down in a shaded spot with low light can help to stave off the pain.
Ideally, high-temperature situations can be prevented by cooling down working environments and staying out of the sun for extended periods of time.2‘Cluster Headache. The Migraine Trust, The Migraine Trust, 19 Feb. 2021, www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/types-of-migraine/other-headache-disorders/cluster-headache/. Dressing in layers can help in adjusting body temperatures quickly.
5. Nitrates
Nitrates have been found to be a common trigger for all types of headaches, including migraines and cluster headaches. Nitrates can be found in foods, such as bacon, hot dogs and other forms of processed meat.
Since the dangers of processed meat are well-known, it might be best for all aspects of a healthy body to avoid consuming them, especially for someone with CH.6‘Cluster Headaches (CHs)’ Ada. Ada, Ada Health GmbH, 20 Dec. 2019, ada.com/conditions/cluster-headaches/. Nitrate therapy, which is often used to treat angina and chest pain, can also lead to cluster headaches.7Ekbom, K, et al. ‘Periods of Cluster Headache Induced by Nitrate Therapy and Spontaneous Remission of Angina Pectoris During Active Clusters.’ Cephalalgia, vol. 24, no. 2, 2004, pp. 92–98., doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2004.00634.x.
6. High Histamine Levels
Histamine is found in some foods, and elevated levels of histamines have been found in CH sufferers. In fact, cluster headaches used to be known as histaminic cephalalgia, as histamine was suspected to be the main culprit in those who experience cluster headaches.8Fanciullacci, M. ‘When Cluster Headache Was Called Histaminic Cephalalgia (Horton’s Headache).’ The Journal of Headache and Pain, vol. 7, no. 4, 2006, pp. 231–234., doi:10.1007/s10194-006-0296-0.
Some histamine-rich foods that might be best for people with this condition to steer clear of include fermented foods and beverages, spinach, eggplant and processed meats. Some drugs also increase histamine levels and therefore trigger headaches.
7. Abnormalities in the Biological Clock
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that governs how the body deals with sleep, hunger, thirst and other important biological functions. According to a study published in 2013, irregularities in the hypothalamus function are present during the throes of a cluster headache attack.9Qiu, Enchao, et al. ‘Abnormal Brain Functional Connectivity of the Hypothalamus in Cluster Headaches.’ PLoS ONE, vol. 8, no. 2, 2013, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057896.
This could mean that maintaining a regular sleep schedule and diet could help in reducing the frequency of attacks. Keep the body clock in sync by going to bed and arising at the same time each day.
8. Genetic Factors
While only present in about 10% of cluster headache cases, there have been some genetic factors noted that could potentially contribute to CH. This disorder can be inherited as an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive trait.
The good news for people with CH who have their genetics to blame is that the recessive trait only has a 25 percent chance of being passed on, while the dominant trait seems to skip generations.10‘Cluster Headache.’ NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/cluster-headache/.
9. Tobacco Use
At this point, almost everyone is well aware that smoking isn’t good for a healthy lifestyle. However, we need to mention that smoking can lead to cluster headaches. Heavy smokers are more likely to experience chronic cluster headaches at some point in their lives.2‘Cluster Headache. The Migraine Trust, The Migraine Trust, 19 Feb. 2021, www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/types-of-migraine/other-headache-disorders/cluster-headache/.
However, one boon for smokers is that tobacco users typically don’t develop cluster headaches until a few years after the normal age when people usually start developing CH, according to some studies.3Brandon May. ‘Tobacco, Alcohol Use May Predict Cluster Headache Severity.’ Neurology Advisor, Haymarket Media, Inc., 18 Dec. 2018, www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/migraine-and-headache/tobacco-alcohol-use-may-predict-cluster-headache-severity/.
10. Panic Attacks
Panic attacks put the body into a heightened state of intense awareness that can lead to a number of physical symptoms, including migraines and cluster headaches. People with both CH and anxiety disorders may well have experienced panic attacks that lead to a bout of headaches.
Should a panic attack ensue, a quick resolution is the best option. Episodes of deep breathing can help encourage relaxation and may help keep a cluster headache attack from starting.11Ossipova, W, et al. ‘Migraine Associated with Panic Attacks.’ Cephalalgia, vol. 19, no. 8, 1999, pp. 728–731., doi:10.1046/j.1468-2982.1999.019008728.x.
