The family
Cluster headache brings short, extremely severe attacks with motor restlessness. Paroxysmal hemicrania is shorter, more often seen in women, and has an absolute indomethacin response. SUNCT and SUNA are ultrashort and numerous. Hemicrania continua is a continuous one-sided background pain with exacerbations and autonomic signs, and it also responds to indomethacin.
Why not to delay
Severity and the resemblance to sinus disease lead to ineffective nasal treatments and sometimes unnecessary surgery. Acute and preventive care for this group is specific, and some drugs need cardiac monitoring. Setting that treatment is not the job of this page. It belongs with a clinician who sees these disorders.
These pages are written for health professionals. They do not replace a history, examination, or clinical judgment. Treatment is decided for each patient individually.