After decades of study, headache physicians have found the causes of headache conditions are just as varied as the treatments. They recognize a list of factors involving environment, behavior, biochemical conditions and lifestyle issues, contribute to the severity, frequency and duration of headache conditions. Ignoring any of these factors can keep a sufferer from experiencing a true opportunity to control their headache condition. The key to managing this multitude of causes and effects comes down to correct diagnosis as a first step.

In the case of migraine, many physicians can identify the immediate symptoms, but may eventually miss the real diagnosis because they have not sufficiently considered a patient's history or personal lifestyle.

For cluster headache, the least-common type of primary headache conditions, the causes remain unclear, but the effects are absolutely distinct. Patients experience symptoms beyond a migraine, including an intense, stabbing pain around the eye or temple, lasting up to three hours. They occur in periods or episodes, sometimes as often as several times a day during a cluster cycle which can last weeks or months. Because each episode is severe and incapacitating, early and precise intervention is critical.

Headache sufferers should keep consistent, detailed journals, noting the frequency, severity and duration of each headache as an important guide for physicians diagnosing and treating the condition. If significant relief is not experienced within a reasonable time, it may be necessary to seek specialized help from a headache specialist.