What are the typical characteristics of a cluster headache?

The defining characteristic of a cluster headache is the presence of excruciating pain typically centered around one eye. This type of headache is often described as very intense, with a burning or piercing quality that can be debilitating. In addition to the severe pain, cluster headaches frequently occur in cyclical patterns or "clusters," which may last for weeks or months followed by periods of remission. The pain typically manifests on one side of the head and is accompanied by autonomic symptoms on the same side, such as tearing, nasal congestion, or redness of the eye. This combination of severe unilateral pain and additional physical symptoms is what distinguishes cluster headaches from other headache types.