Living with SUNCT syndrome
A rare headache disorder with short, sharp pain on one side of the face along with a red, tearing eye.
Understanding SUNCT syndrome
The pain follows the trigeminal nerve, a facial nerve, and happens on one side. It occurs together with signs such as a red eye and tearing on the same side. It most often starts in adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Pain on one side of the face (trigeminal pain)
- Red eye
- Excess tears
- Drooping upper eyelid
- Runny nose
- Restlessness or agitation
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
National Headache Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: National Headache Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with National Headache Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.
Also known as: short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing; short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing syndrome; short-lasting, unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing; sunct (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing) syndrome; sunct headache
Patient organizations
- National Headache FoundationSUNCT syndrome · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with SUNCT syndrome.
Explore research for SUNCT syndrome
Explore actively recruiting SUNCT syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for SUNCT syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting SUNCT syndrome studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for SUNCT syndrome
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your SUNCT syndrome experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.