Headache vs. Migraine

Q:  What’s the difference between an ordinary headache and a migraine?

A:  A migraine headache is a neurological condition (i.e., it’s a disease of the nervous system) and unlike other kinds of headaches, a migraine has other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. The pain is intense and can last four to 72 hours, it can affect one or both sides of your head, and the pain usually gets worse with activity. Other symptoms include being sensitive to light, sounds, and smells, and feeling weak. Some people with migraines have different triggers, such as stress and anxiety, certain foods/beverages, changes in hormone levels, inadequate sleep, sudden weather changes, and medication overuse, which can happen from long-term use of some prescription and over-the-counter medications. To help your physician diagnose yoru headache, keep track of what might be triggering your symptoms, when they started, what the pain feels like, how long it lasted and anything that might have helped relieve it. Try to recall any subtle changes prior to the commencement of the pain (e.g., mood changes, food cravings, frequent yawning, increased urination, or fluid retention). After the pain passes, some people feel drained, while others might feel elated. There are some prescription medications that can help prevent migraine symptoms as well as nonpharmaceutical remedies that may be helpful. Digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease might be linked to migraines. Treating these conditions may help reduce or eliminate migraine occurrence.

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