Skip to main content

Table 3 Clinical similarities and differences amongst cluster headache, migraine without aura and migraine with aura

From: Migraine and cluster headache – the common link

Headache phenotype

Cluster Headache

Migraine without aura

Migraine with aura

 

Location

Strictly unilateral

Usually unilateral

Similarities

Intensity

Severe/very severe

Moderate/severe

Associated symptoms

Nausea, photophobia and phonophobia

Aura (≈20%) [103]

-

Aura

Quality

Excruciating, stabbing

Deep, pulsating

Differences

Duration

15-180 minutes

4-72 hours

Radiation

Orbital, supraorbital and/or temporal

Frontotemporal

Circadian/circannual rhythms

Nocturnal [22]

Spring/autumn

Early morning [108]-

Frequency

Once every other day to eight times a day

Once every other day

Most common triggers

Alcohol [5]

Stress, cycling female hormones [239], [113] (but also alcohol)

Aggravators

-

Routine physical activity

Cranial autonomic symptoms

Ipsilateral, prominent

Bilateral, mild [66]

Disability during headache

Restlessness or agitation

Severe impairment or require bed rest