Migraine are recurring, long-lasting headaches that feel like a vise around your skull. Some report throbbing, pulsing sensations, usually on one side of the head. Lasting between four hours and three days, the pain is severe enough to interfere with daily activities. Roughly 1 in 7 people worldwide have experienced migraines.
One-third of sufferers notice an aura before the onset of a migraine. From 5 to 60 minutes in length, these visual and sensory disturbances include partial vision loss or seeing zigzagging lines and flickering lights or spots.
Left untreated, a migraine episode may continue for up to 72 hours. Frequency depends on the individual and can crop up sporadically or a few times a month. The primary causes have yet to be fully understood; however, environmental factors and genetics both play a role
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Symptoms of migraine headache
When it comes to migraines vs. headaches, symptoms of the former are generally more intense and could include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Extreme sensitivity to light and sound
- Visual disturbances
- Tingling on one side of the face
- Tingling in one arm or leg
- Difficulty speaking
How to tell the difference between a headache and a migraine
Headaches and migraines differ in length, intensity, region, and symptoms. Here are a few ways to distinguish tension headache vs. migraine pain.
With regards to intensity, migraines are generally worse. Regular headaches tend to be mild or moderate, while migraine pain is moderate to severe. Sufferers have trouble performing daily tasks and might even require an ER visit.
Furthermore, while headaches are typically felt on both sides of your head, migraines will be confined to one side or the other.
Migraine treatment
Though more stubborn than headaches, migraines sometimes respond to certain medications when combined with lifestyle changes.
Doctors recommend keeping a diary to track meals, sleep habits, weather conditions, and other daily activities to pinpoint the problem’s source. Dietary changes, in the way of eliminating caffeine and alcohol, are similarly encouraged.
