How To Differentiate Migrains From Other Headaches 

When you have a headache, it can be tempting to want the pain to stop without worrying about your type of headache. However, modern treatments for headaches are particular, so identifying the specific type of headache you're experiencing is crucial for finding relief.

What Is A Migraine?

Suffering from migraines can be a long-term condition that causes headaches due to various triggers. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of migraines, but specific triggers can set them off. It's important to avoid things like caffeine and stress to prevent migraines from occurring.

If you are experiencing migraines or headaches, keeping track of them by maintaining a headache diary is essential. Record the duration and severity of your headaches and any potential triggers that may have caused them. This information can help your doctor determine the cause of your headaches and develop a plan to reduce their severity or avoid them altogether.

Questions You May Want To Ask

The presence of recurring head pain does not necessarily indicate that you have a migraine. To determine whether or not you have a migraine, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

Is It A Result Of Stress, Anxiety, Or Exhaustion?

Headaches can have different causes, with migraines often triggered by external factors, while tension headaches are more commonly linked to stimulation. Tension headaches can vary in duration and intensity, with some lasting for only half an hour and others persisting for up to a week. These headaches tend to be dull and affect the entire head. If you experience a short-lived headache caused by external stimuli, it is likely a tension headache.

Does It Recur?

Many people suffer from migraines, which can last hours or even days, causing unbearable pain and discomfort. Migraines can occur frequently, with some people experiencing them yearly while others have them multiple times monthly. Regardless of the frequency, migraines are a common and debilitating condition that can significantly impact a person's quality of life.

Experiencing frequent and severe headaches could be a sign of cluster headaches. These headaches are characterized by intense pain in clusters, usually daily for a few days before disappearing completely. They typically affect only one side of the head.

Do They Come With Congestion?

Stuffed sinus passages may result in migraines, but such congestion could signal a different sinus headache. Usually occurring when you are severely congested, sinus headaches stem from swelling inside the head. Although frequently mistaken for migraines, sinus headaches tend to subside once the underlying illness or allergies that triggered them have been addressed.

Is It The Most Painful Headache You’ve Ever Had?

"Thunderclap headaches" are intensely painful headaches that strike suddenly and unexpectedly. Even though migraines can be excruciating, thunderclap headaches typically exist in a league of pain. These headaches are nearly always indicative of a severe medical problem, and anyone who experiences a thunderclap headache should seek immediate medical attention.

Checking For Migraine Symptoms

Although migraines vary from person to person, experiencing one or more of the following symptoms may indicate that your doctor needs to be consulted about a possible diagnosis and treatment:

• Sensitivity to light and loud noises
  
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• A pounding pulsation in the head
  
  
• Vision changes
  
  
• Pain increases with physical activity
  
  
• Dizziness

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms and headaches. Some of these symptoms may indicate more serious medical problems.

Migraine With Aura

Some individuals suffer from migraines and experience symptoms such as visual disturbances, sensitivity to light and sound, and difficulty speaking. These symptoms can include involuntary movements and tingling sensations. Additionally, some may experience difficulty controlling their movements, such as shaking or trembling.

No matter what type of headache you are experiencing, Mobi Doctor is here to help. Schedule an online appointment to discuss your symptoms with an expert, all from the comfort of your home.