Cluster Headaches and Seasonal Change: What's the Connection?

Not even migraines can beat the pain of cluster headaches. While less common than other types, cluster headaches can occur up to several times per day, with each headache lasting 15 minutes to three hours.

Neurologist Dr. Wade Steeves at Valley Neurology in Spokane Valley, Washington, is known as the Headache Guy throughout Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. He’s focused on headaches full-time since 2019 and remains current on the latest research and treatments.

Dr. Steeves specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of headaches, including cluster headaches. Read what he and his team say about this painful headache disorder and its seasonal connection.

Basics of cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are distinct from other types of headaches, such as migraines, in intensity and duration.

They often manifest with symptoms like:

• Severe, piercing, or stabbing pain around or behind one eye
• Redness or tearing in the affected eye
• Facial sweating
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Restlessness or agitation

These headaches usually develop suddenly but may occur at about the same time of day, often 1-2 hours after bedtime. Many individuals also expect them to return during certain seasons.

Clusters can occur one to several times a day for weeks to months, followed by a pain-free remission lasting for days, months, or years. However, some individuals experience yearlong cluster periods of several headaches daily.

Cluster headache causes and their seasonal connection

The exact cause of cluster headaches remains unclear, but they’re believed to involve a complex interplay of the trigeminal nerve, hypothalamus, and other brain regions.

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms, leading researchers to investigate the potential link between cluster headaches and seasonal changes.

Circadian rhythms are the body's internal clock, governing sleep-wake cycles and other physiological processes. The hypothalamus, a small but vital part of the brain, helps regulate these rhythms. 

Cluster headaches often follow a circadian pattern, with attacks occurring at the same time each day or night. Seasonal changes, such as variations in daylight hours, can disrupt circadian rhythms. 

During the autumn and spring equinoxes, for instance, shifts in daylight can affect melatonin production and other hormonal balances, potentially triggering cluster headache cycles in susceptible individuals.

Changes in weather, temperature, and atmospheric pressure, which often accompany seasonal transitions, can also influence cluster headaches.

Some people may be more sensitive to these environmental factors, experiencing more frequent or severe headaches during certain seasons. For example, cold, dry air in winter or sudden temperature fluctuations in spring and fall might exacerbate symptoms.

Additionally, seasonal changes often bring shifts in lifestyle and behavior. For instance, people might exercise less during colder months or experience increased stress during holidays. These factors may contribute to the onset of cluster headaches.

Changes in sleep patterns, diet, and alcohol consumption, common during different seasons, can also play a role.

Managing cluster headaches

Dr. Steeves starts with a physical exam and evaluation of your medical history, headache symptoms, and patterns you may have noticed.

He then develops a personalized treatment strategy that may include:

• A regular sleep schedule and routine to help stabilize circadian rhythms
• Medication to help prevent headaches
• Identifying and avoiding potential headache triggers, such as specific foods or stressors
• Medication for acute cluster headache attacks
• Nerve block to disrupt pain signals involved in cluster headaches

You may also benefit from behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to help manage stress and develop coping strategies.

Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Steeves at Valley Neurology today for specialty care focused on taming headaches, even the worst of the worst. Call the office or book your visit online.