Migraines And Headaches, How To Tell The Difference
You're bending down to pick a biro and there's a sharp throbbing pain in your head. You've probably felt it there before, what could it be? A headache or a migraine?
A headache is a general phrase used to represent a wide range of varied pain symptoms that can occur anywhere on the head.
It can be challenging to determine whether you're having a migraine attack or a usual headache.
Why do I need to know the differences between a headache and a migraine?
It's crucial to distinguish between headache diseases such as migraine and other headaches.
One very important reason here is that more specialized therapies based on the type of headache, may result in quicker alleviation. Furthermore, it can assist in avoiding the onset of new headaches.
What exactly is a headache?
Headaches are uncomfortable pains in the head that can throb and ache. The pain ranges from minor to severe a pains and usually affects both sides of your head. Headaches can occur in a variety of places, including the forehead, temples and the back of the neck.
An average headache typically lasts 5 minutes to 4 hours. There are migraine attacks that might linger for days or even longer.
Experts have divided the numerous distinct types of headaches into two basic categories:
- primary
- secondary.
Primary headaches refer to independent conditions that cause pain in the head, face, or neck. Examples of primary headaches include migraines and tension headaches.
Secondary headaches occur as the result of other medical effects, such as an infection, stress, or overuse of drugs
Types of primary headaches
Tension headaches ;
Primary headache includes tension headaches. This type of headaches happen more frequently among adults and could make your scalp hurt.
Tension headaches can be brought on by a number of things. These may include; jaw clenching from hunger, despair or anxiety, sleep apnea or insufficient sleep, poor posture, neck pain from bending or straining, and tension
Cluster headaches;
Cluster headaches frequently cause intense discomfort behind the eye on one side of the head. These headaches arise in clusters, which means several headaches happen each day at the same time for a few weeks. Cluster headaches often last 6 to 12 weeks.
Symptoms of cluster headaches include:
severe pain on one side of the head, pain behind the eye, red, watery eyes, sweating, congestion, restlessness or agitation.
Secondary headaches;
secondary headaches can be brought on by illnesses and longterm medical disorders that impact the neurological system. Secondary headaches can be brought on by:
sleep problems, brain cancer, stroke,d or medication withdrawal brain injury, inflammation, and seizurs spinal fluid leaks,physical changes to the spine, neck, or head etc.
What is migraine?
A migraine is a neurological condition that frequently lasts a lifetime and is characterized by recurrent, moderate to severe headaches, usually on one side of the head.
Migraine attacks are intense or severe and often have other symptoms in addition to head pain. Symptoms associated with migraine without aura includes;
- back, shoulder, and neck pain,
- muscle aches
- sensitivity to light and/or sound
- headache in the templesp
- Pain behind the eye or earn
- nausea
Migraine attacks will typically affect only one side of the head. However, it’s possible to have a migraine episode that affects both sides of the head. Other differences includes pain’s quality. A migraine attack will cause intense pain that may be throbbing and will make performing daily tasks very difficult.
How do you tell if it's a migraine?
- intense throbbing and pulsing sensation
- Concentrated pain on one side of the head
Treating migraines
prevention;
The best way to treat migraine attacks is frequent prevention. Examples of preventive measures a doctor might recommend are:
- making dietary adjustments, such as avoiding foods and drugs like alcohol and caffeine that are known to induce headaches
- taking prescription medicines on a regular basis, such as blood pressure lowering drugs, antiepileptic drugs, or CGRP receptor antagonists.
- reducing one's stress levels by practicing relaxation techniques.
Medications for migraines
- Those who suffer from migraines less regularly might find it helpful to use drugs that are effective in reducing them immediately. These medicines include the following examples:
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine),
- promethazine (Phenergan),
- chlorpromazine (Thorazine) are
- anti-nausea medications.
- Acetaminophen and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen sodium, and ibuprofen are mild to moderate pain relievers.
How do I tell if it's a headache?
Mild pressure on the head
Sensation will be felt throughout the forehead or scalp
Treating Headaches
Nonprescription (OTC) medications; The majority of tension headaches can be treated over-the-counter. These consist of
- acetaminophen,
- aspirin
- ibuprofen
- Other pain reliefs
Relaxation techniques;
Since some headaches are stress-induced, adopting actions to lessen stress can aid with headache, pain relief and lower the likelihood of future headaches occuring.
Now that you've learnt about headaches, when next you feel any pain in your head, be sure to know if it's a headache or migraine, it might help you treat it better.
