Cluster Headaches - Cause

Cause

The cause of cluster headaches is not clear. They may be genetic, since you are more likely to develop cluster headaches if a parent or sibling has them.¹

Cluster headaches may be caused by a problem in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus, although the specific problem or abnormality that triggers cluster headaches is unclear.²

Alcohol, sleep apnea (regularly stopping breathing during sleep), stress, fatigue, or certain medications that widen blood vessels (vasodilators) such as nitroglycerin or histamine may trigger cluster headaches or make them worse once a cycle of headaches begins.