As migraine and headache have similar symptoms. However, migraine is a type of headache; it differs on some grounds from a usual headache. Headache is a pain, which takes place in your head and the upper neck portion. People can have mild to severe sensations of aches. On the other hand, migraine causes beating pain in your head. It can appear mild and becomes severe with every passing minute. Once your doctor identifies the type of headache you have, he or she may prescribe suitable migraine headache treatment to treat your condition.
Identifying your condition is significant to look for suitable medications. Moreover, it may also help you prevent future attacks and complications.
Let’s learn the differences between headache and migraine-
Description
Headache is a common condition. It causes tenderness in your head. Sometimes it appears with a feeling of lightheadedness. However, sometimes you may feel like having a ton-load over your head. Headache is not a permanent illness. It can take place occasionally. The possible causes can be sudden and hurting events, stress, or muscle pain.
Migraine is a type of headache. It generally occurs with unbearable pain. The condition may need lifelong treatment. However, suitable medications and preventive steps can help avoid migraine attacks.
Frequency
There is no fixed frequency of having a usual headache or a migraine. People can have headaches occasionally because of the pre-discussed causes. However, the frequency of migraine attacks can vary from person to person. Some people can have the pain every week, some in a month, and some once a year.
Symptoms
The symptoms of both conditions are almost similar. Headaches accompany symptoms like dizziness, nausea, eye pain, and lightheadedness.
However, the symptoms of migraine are divided into categories. They are named prodromes, aura, attack, and postdrome. The common symptoms among them are as follows-
- Sensitiveness to smell, sound, or light
- Deadness in one side of the body
- Feeling of unhappiness
- Tiredness
- Weakness or pain in muscles
- Decreased appetite
- Sudden changes in mood
If you experience these signs and symptoms, consult with your doctor. He or she may diagnose your condition and prescribe well-working migraine headache treatment.
Causes
Headache can be caused by the following reasons-
- Stress
- Sleeplessness
- Skipped meal
- Sudden or painful events
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
Migraines can be a result of various things. Some of them may include the following-
- Late-night work
- Eating spicy, high-fat, or processed foods
- Restlessness
- Inadequate sleep
- Anxiety
In addition, some identified causes of migraine are-
- Irregular blood flow in the brain
- Abnormal secretion of brain’s chemicals
- A pre-existing central nervous disorder
- Genetic inclination
Diagnosis
A physical exam is enough to diagnose headaches. Your doctor may ask you about the symptoms and characteristics of your headache in this test. However, if needed, he or she may also suggesta CT scan or MRI for further diagnosis.
Migraine may need various tests to be diagnosed. Some of the common diagnostic tests are as follows-
- Neurological and physical test
- Spinal tap
- CT scan
- MRI
- Psychological evaluation
- EEG
- Urinalysis and blood chemistry
- Sinus X-Ray
- Eye Exam
After a proper diagnosis, your doctor may propose a suitable migraine headache treatment to address your condition.
Treatment
Your treatment may depend on the symptoms and causes of the type of headache you have. A diagnosis is significant to look for effective medications. Both headaches and migraines take place occasionally. However, the duration of their treatments may vary. Headache may be treated at the same time. On the other hand, migraines may need lifelong treatment. Consult with your doctor on how you can manage your symptoms and avoid painful attacks.
For more information, consult with your doctor.
An online doctor’s evaluation for headaches and migraines can be required. For any questions, please check the Daily Chemist website. You can also contact doctors for medical advice.
