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Have a headache
Headache on the side of my head
Pulsating headache
My eye hurts
Fatigued
Feeling stressed
Headache on one side
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
This condition involves repetitive brief headaches that occur as episodes of severe pain (typically on one side of the head) associated with possible eye redness/tearing or runny nose. These episodes happen in bouts or "clusters" of several per day, potentially lasting for weeks or even months in a row. The pain can be disabling and greatly interfere with daily life.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
There is currently no cure for this condition, but treatment can help reduce and prevent attacks. During an attack, the doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy and medications to ease the pain. After the attack, you may be given regular medications to prevent future attacks.
Reviewed By:
Caroline M. Doan, DO (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Doan received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from UCLA. Prior to obtaining her medical degree, she was involved in oncology clinical research at City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in southern California. She attended medical school at Touro University California, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds an active medical license in several states. She currently works as a physician for Signify Health providing home-based health care.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Q.
How many excedrin migraine can you take?
A.
Max dose is 2 Excedrin Migraine caplets in 24 hours, taken together at the first sign of migraine; do not take more unless your doctor tells you to. There are important caveats—liver disease, blood thinners or ulcers, other acetaminophen/caffeine sources, and rebound headaches can change what’s safe—so see the complete guidance below for interactions, who should avoid it, and when to seek care.
References:
Rumack BH, & Matthews JR. (2002). Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity: diagnosis and treatment. Semin Liver Dis, 11981736.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11981736/
de Franchis R, & Dell’Era A. (2007). Non-invasive diagnosis of cirrhosis and the natural history… Best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology, 17223493.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17223493/
D’Amico G, Garcia-Tsao G, & Pagliaro L. (2006). Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in cirrhosis… Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 16397019.
Q.
What causes a migraine?
A.
There are several factors to consider: migraines stem from a brain-based cascade—cortical spreading depression, trigeminal nerve activation, and CGRP-driven inflammation—plus central sensitization that lowers your trigger threshold. They’re influenced by genetics, fluctuating estrogen and sleep/circadian changes, and are often set off by foods/alcohol, stress, sensory stimuli, weather shifts, dehydration, or intense exertion. For specifics that could guide your next steps—including personalized triggers, effective acute and preventive treatments, and red-flag symptoms—see the complete details below.
References:
Burstein R, Noseda R, & Borsook D. (2015). Migraine: Multiple processes, complex pathophysiology… J Neurosci, 25926493.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25926493/
Goadsby PJ, Holland PR, Martins-Oliveira M, Hoffmann J, Schankin C, & Akerman S. (2017). Pathophysiology of migraine: A disorder of sensory proces… Physiol Rev, 28715025.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28715025/
Garcia-Tsao G, Friedman S, Iredale J, & Pinzani M. (2020). Mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of cirrhosis… Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, 32066903.
Q.
what is a migraine
A.
A migraine is a common neurological disorder that affects about 12% of people—especially women—and causes recurrent, often one-sided, throbbing headaches lasting 4–72 hours, typically with light and sound sensitivity, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes a brief visual or sensory aura. There are several factors to consider—types (with or without aura, chronic), personal triggers, red-flag symptoms, and proven acute and preventive treatments—that can guide your next steps; see the complete details below.
References:
Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. (2013). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd… Cephalalgia, 23771276.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23771276/
Burstein R, Noseda R, & Borsook D. (2015). Migraine: multiple processes, complex pathophysiology. J Neurosci, 25904898.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25904898/
D'Amico G, Garcia-Tsao G, & Pagliaro L. (2006). Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in cirrhosis: a systematic… J Hepatol, 16793545.
Q.
What are the causes of continuous headaches for days?
A.
Continuous headaches lasting for several days can be caused by a variety of factors, including tension-type headaches, migraines, medication overuse, and more serious underlying conditions. Understanding these potential causes is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
References:
McNeil M. Headaches in Adults in Primary Care: Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Med Clin North Am. 2021 Jan;105(1):39-53. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.09.005. PMID: 33246522.
Becker WJ, Findlay T, Moga C, Scott NA, Harstall C, Taenzer P. Guideline for primary care management of headache in adults. Can Fam Physician. 2015 Aug;61(8):670-9. PMID: 26273080; PMCID: PMC4541429.
Robbins MS. Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review. JAMA. 2021 May 11;325(18):1874-1885. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.1640. PMID: 33974014.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Hoffmann J, May A. Diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of cluster headache. Lancet Neurol. 2018 Jan;17(1):75-83. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30405-2. Epub 2017 Nov 23. PMID: 29174963.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(17)30405-2/fulltextMay A, Schwedt TJ, Magis D, Pozo-Rosich P, Evers S, Wang SJ. Cluster headache. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018 Mar 1;4:18006. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2018.6. PMID: 29493566.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrdp20186Weaver-Agostoni J. Cluster headache. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Jul 15;88(2):122-8. PMID: 23939643.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2013/0715/p122.htmlWei DY, Khalil M, Goadsby PJ. Managing cluster headache. Pract Neurol. 2019 Dec;19(6):521-528. doi: 10.1136/practneurol-2018-002124. Epub 2019 Jul 5. PMID: 31278205; PMCID: PMC6902063.
https://pn.bmj.com/content/19/6/521Cheema S, Matharu M. Cluster Headache: What's New? Neurol India. 2021 Mar-Apr;69(Supplement):S124-S134. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.315983. PMID: 34003158.
https://www.neurologyindia.com/article.asp?issn=0028-3886;year=2021;volume=69;issue=7;spage=124;epage=134;aulast=Cheema