About Migraine and Cluster Headache

Migraine is a chronic and common neurovascular disorder characterized by episodic attacks. According to a 2004 report from the National Headache Foundation, approximately 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from migraines. Both men and women experience migraine, although women are three times more likely to suffer from it.

Migraine attacks typically manifest themselves as moderate to severe headache pain, with symptoms that often include nausea and vomiting, abnormal sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances or aura. Migraines limit the normal daily functioning of patients, who often seek dark, quiet surroundings until the episode has passed.

Cluster headaches are characterized by groups or clusters of debilitating headaches lasting weeks or months, then disappearing for months or years. This type of headache affects an estimated one million sufferers in the U.S., and approximately 90 percent of these sufferers are male. Due to the severe nature of cluster headache, patients are commonly treated with prescription medication.