Cluster headache and migraine are different headache disorders, although both can cause severe one-sided head pain. Cluster headache usually causes sudden, very intense pain around or behind one eye, while migraine often causes throbbing or pulsing pain that can affect one side or several areas of the head.
Cluster headache attacks are usually shorter, often lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours, but they can happen many times in one day. Migraine attacks usually last longer, often 4 hours to 3 days. Migraine is also more often linked with nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and sometimes aura.
Cluster headache is more often linked with eye and nose symptoms on the same side as the pain, such as tearing, red eye, nasal congestion, runny nose, eyelid swelling, or facial sweating. People with cluster headache may feel restless or agitated during attacks, while people with migraine often prefer to rest quietly.
A medical evaluation is important because treatment and prevention are different for each condition. See a neurologist or headache specialist for repeated, severe, or changing headaches, and avoid self-medicating, especially if headaches are frequent or worsening.