Two main characteristics spell the difference between headaches and migraines. They are locality and intensity.
Headache intensity is typical of dull and mild pressure only. On the other hand, migraine intensity is much more intense, with a throbbing and pulsing sensation on the head.
Headaches are typically felt over the entire head. Migraines are typically localized only on either side of your head.
Now, some other symptoms are felt mainly by migraine sufferers more than headache patients. These symptoms are:
Dizziness accompanied by seeing halos
Nausea and vomiting
Visual blind spots or flashing lights
These symptoms are usually exacerbated by exposure to bright lights and loud sounds. And these are also not present in a simple, mild headache.
You can reduce the risks of getting a headache or migraine by following preventative measures.
Avoid getting too stressed out as much as you possibly can
Keep yourself hydrated with water
Get lots of rest, especially if you’re feeling under the weather due to cold or flu
Moderate your caffeine intake
Incorporate exercises or additional physical activity into your daily routines
Have your eyes checked regularly
Avoid foods that can trigger your headaches, such as chocolate, wine, cheeses, or onions
Use mind-body techniques and manual therapies to relax
Identify your migraine-triggering factors and avoid them as much as possible
Purchase riboflavin supplements over the counter and take them regularly
Follow a prescribed migraine prevention course given by your physician
Try a course of acupuncture. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends 10 sessions covering 5-8 weeks of therapy.
Suffering from a cold or flu
Eye problems
Irregular eating periods or eating too little amounts food
Having your period
Experiencing a hungover
Taking too many pills for pain relief
Meanwhile, here are the possible causes of migraines. They are grouped into five aspects:
Hormonal
Influenced by the times before, during, and after a woman’s period
Emotional
Stress
Shock
Tension
Excitement
Physical
Fatigue/Tiredness
Low blood glucose levels
Poor sleep quality
Irregular sleeping patterns
Initial parts of a strenuous exercise routine
Jet lag
Shoulder and neck tension
Dietary
Delayed, missed, or irregular meal times
Alcohol
Caffeine
Dehydration
Specific trigger foods include:
Chocolate
Smoked fishes
Cured meats
Pickled herring
Cheeses such as stilton, cheddar, and camembert
Citrus fruits
Medicinal
Hormone replacement therapy
Combined type of contraceptive pill
Some variations of sleeping pills
The most prevalent headache and migraine types are as follows:
Headaches
Migraines
Fever-induced headaches
Cluster headaches
Hormone headaches
You should immediately see a doctor if you experience the following:
Recurrent headaches despite treatment
A headache with sudden worsened symptoms
You want to vomit, you feel excessively sick, or you feel additional pain when seeing excessive light or hearing loud noises
You get added symptoms like arm and leg numbness alongside your typical headache symptoms
You’re feeling the headache becoming increasingly concentrated on either the front or sides of your head. This could indicate that a migraine or a cluster headache is developing.
You experience regular or frequent bouts of migraines
You get severe symptoms each time you get a migraine
Sore scalp
Jaw feels hurt while eating
Double or blurred vision
Garbled or slurred speech
Intense, severe pain
Weakness or sudden paralysis on one side of the face or arms
Stiff neck, high-grade fever, seizures, mental confusion, rash, and double vision
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