Brain & Nervous System Headaches Causes & Risk Factors What Triggers Cluster Headaches? By Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 04, 2020 Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD LinkedIn Sarah Rahal, MD, is a double board-certified adult and pediatric neurologist and headache medicine specialist. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print It's common to hear and read about all sorts of migraine triggers. Cluster headaches, too, may have triggers or associations—although scientific research is very limited. Similar to migraines, triggers of cluster headaches are individualized and pinpointing your precise ones can be challenging. And sometimes, triggers or associations are simply out of your control—for instance, you cannot change your DNA. Let's review examples of cluster headache triggers and what you can do to avoid them (if possible). Verywell / Colleen Tighe Potential Cluster Headache Triggers Alcohol and cigarette smoking High altitude Bright light (including sunlight) Physical activity Heat (hot weather, hot baths) Foods high in nitrites (such as bacon and preserved meats) Drinking coffee Nitroglycerin (a medication used to alleviate chest pain in those with heart disease) Cocaine History of head trauma Genetics (Autosomal Dominant Gene in some families*) Possibly severe emotional distress (one case study**) Smoking may be the biggest trigger associated with cluster headaches. One study of 374 sufferers of cluster headaches (CH) found that approximately 79 percent of episodic CH patients smoked and approximately 88 percent of chronic CH patients smoked. In this same study, alcohol abuse—more than 10 drinks per day—was reported in 16.2 percent of episodic and 26.8 percent of chronic CH patients. Coffee abuse—more than six cups a day—was reported in 6.9 percent of episodic and in 36.6 percent of chronic CH patients. Dealing With Triggers Remember, associations don't mean that one habit, like smoking or drinking coffee, causes cluster headaches. It's a complicated interaction, and it's more likely that an interplay of multiple triggers, your genes, and your environment makes you prone to cluster attacks. That being said, if you find that a particular trigger is linked to your cluster headaches, discuss it with your healthcare provider. A habit change or lifestyle modification may be paramount in reducing your headaches. Also, consider writing a headache diary recording your daily activities like: mealssleep hoursany medications or supplements you takealcohol consumptionsmoking habitscoffee drinkingexercise regimenany change in your daily routine, like taking a vacation or attending a holiday dinner How Headaches Are Diagnosed A Word From Verywell Like migraines, cluster headaches are treated with an integrated approach, including preventive medications and lifestyle modifications. If you do suffer from cluster headaches, be sure to find a good neurologist or headache specialist to help you cope and manage your attacks. You are not alone. Seek guidance and remain proactive in your headache and overall health. How Your Healthcare Provider Will Diagnose Your Headache 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sandor PS, Irimia P, Jager HR, Goadsby PJ, & Kaube H. Onset of cluster headache triggered by emotional effect: a case report. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Sep; 77(9): 1097–1099. doi:10.1136/jnnp.2005.087247 Leroux E, Ducros A. Cluster headache. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2008;3:20. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-3-20 Manzoni GC. Cluster headache and lifestyle: remarks on a population of 374 male patients. Cephalalgia. 1999 Mar;19(2):88-94. doi:10.1046/j.1468-2982.1999.019002088.x Weaver-Agostoni J. Cluster headache. Am Fam Physician. 2013;88:122-128. Additional Reading Russell MB1, Andersson PG, Thomsen LL & Iselius L. Cluster headache is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder in some families: a complex segregation analysis. J Med Genet. 1995 Dec;32(12):954-6. By Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit