Is it a Headache Or a Migraine Headache?
Most people think that if they ever have a migraine headache, they won’t have any trouble at all distinguishing a migraine from a normal headache. In most cases, this is true, but in some cases, it is actually hard to distinguish a normal headache from a migraine headache.
There is only one real symptom of a normal headache – pain in the head. This pain is usually dull, and while it is irritating and bothersome, it doesn’t prevent you from going about your day or your normal activities in most cases. This is not the case with a migraine. Migraine symptoms usually make it fairly impossible to go about our normal lives.
Furthermore, with a normal headache, an over-the-counter pain reliever is usually sufficient to make the pain go away. This rarely works in the case of a migraine, and often, not even prescription strength pain relievers will help ease the pain of a migraine headache.
The symptoms of a migraine go far beyond head pain. First, the pain is usually very different than that of a normal headache. The pain can be very intense, and it has been described as a literal pounding in the head. While a normal headache may be felt in the front of the head or at the temples, migraines tend to take over the entire head, causing pain everywhere, or causing pain that literally moves from one side or position in the head to another for as long as the headache lasts.
When you have a migraine headache light, noise, and certain smells may make it feel even worse. This is not usual with a normal headache. You may also experience blurry vision, nausea, upset stomach, and vomiting. Some people even report stomach or abdominal pain in association with a migraine headache. Other symptoms include lack of appetite, feeling overly warm or overly cold, becoming dizzy, feeling tired or fatigued, and even seeing flashing lights when you close your eyes. Fever occurs in some cases.
If you find that you are experiencing migraine headaches – even if the headaches are not severe enough to stop you from performing your daily tasks or living your life normally, you need to see your doctor. Migraine headaches can become more severe if they are not treated or prevented altogether.
Your doctor can prescribe medication that helps to lessen the pain of a migraine, but there is no medication that helps to prevent a migraine. Furthermore, the medications prescribed to lessen the pain do not always work. This means that you need to find out what is triggering your migraine headache, and learn to avoid it.