Do I Have a Headache or a Migraine? How to Tell
It can be stressful to experience headaches when you don’t know the reason or cause behind them.
Some people think of the worst-case scenario of what might be happening. There are many types of headaches, and contrary to what most people believe, not every headache they experience is actually a migraine.
It’s important to understand how to tell the differences between the two so that you can find the right treatment if you need it.
If you’re unsure how to tell the difference between a headache vs migraine, read on and we’ll tell you how to know which one is which.
Characteristics of a Headache
Headaches are one of the most common types of pain that people have. Even though there are hundreds of kinds of headaches, they all fall into two different categories: primary headache disorders and secondary headache disorders.
You know you have a primary headache disorderif it happens without a relationship to any other illness, such as migraines and cluster headaches. You know you have a secondary headache disorder if the pain in your head is related to an underlying disease or illness.
Characteristics of a Migraine
Migraines create a wider range of symptoms than headaches and can last anywhere from several hours to several days.
Migraine symptoms progress in stages. At the peak of their onset, people usually experience vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, disorientation, and weakness.
How to Tell if You Have a Headache vs Migraine
Since there are many types of headaches, it is important to know that their symptoms can vary.
Tension headaches, for example, occur in the forehead or back of the head and get worse when you’re in movement. But cluster headaches are more intense and severe. They happen in groups of attacks, usually daily or many times per day.
The difference between a cluster headache vs migraine is subtle, but it’s not that difficult to tell them apart. Migraines occur in phases. During onset, before the headache actually starts, it’s common to experience confusion, difficulty speaking, and sensitivity to light.
In the next phase, known as the aura phase, people experience dizziness and have visual disturbances.
During the actual headache phase, it’s common to experience a throbbing headache that lasts anywhere from hours to days.
After the headache phase passes, you’ll probably feel depressed and confused for a day or two. You can play ps4 games to relieve from headache
Seek Migraine and Headache Treatments That Work
Now that you know how to tell between a headache vs migraine, try to stop worrying about what to do. With recent advances in science and research, you have options for treating your condition.
If you know that you have a migraine, then find out your treatment options by visiting nationalheadacheinstitute.com.
If you know that you have a headache, don’t worry. There are many treatment options available and they usually go away with time. If your headache doesn’t go away after a few days, then consider making an appointment with your doctor to find out more.