What is a distinguishing feature of cluster headaches compared to other types?

A distinguishing feature of cluster headaches is that symptoms occur in clusters or bouts. This characteristic is integral to the definition of cluster headaches, as they typically manifest in cyclical patterns, with intense headache attacks occurring regularly over a period of weeks to months, followed by remission periods when the headaches are absent.

Patients often experience several attacks in a single day during a "cluster period," and these episodes can be extremely painful, lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours. This episodic nature sets cluster headaches apart from other headache types, such as migraines, which may occur more sporadically, and tension-type headaches, which do not follow the same cluster pattern.

Other options are distinguished by different characteristics: nausea and vomiting can be common in migraines but are not typical for cluster headaches. The duration of cluster headaches is generally much shorter than 72 hours, and while cluster headaches are more prevalent in men, this does not define the unique pattern or nature of the attacks themselves.