A migraine is usually described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head that can last for hours or even days. The pounding or pulsing pain usually begins in the forehead, the side of the head or around the eyes. (Family Doctor, 2014) The International Headache Society diagnoses a migraine by its pain and number of attacks (at least 5, lasting 4-72 hours if untreated), and additional symptoms including nausea and/or vomiting, or sensitivity to both light and sound. (NINDS, 2015)
The difference between Migraines and Headaches
Headaches and migraines are not the same thing, but what’s the difference? Headaches are unpleasant pains in your head that can cause pressure and aching. They can range from mild to moderate pain and usually occur on both sides of your head unlike migraines that typically occur on only one side. Some specific areas where headaches usually occur include the forehead, temples, and back of the neck. The most common headache type is a tension headache. The most common triggers for tension headaches are stress, muscle strain, or anxiety. However, tension headaches aren’t the only type of headache that occur. Other common headache types are cluster headaches and sinus headaches. Cluster headaches are severely painful headaches that occur in clusters. This means you experience a series of headache attacks, followed by headache-free periods. Sinus headaches,the most often confused with migraines, co-occur with sinus infection symptoms like fever, stuffy nose, cough, congestion, and facial pressure. Some people may experience headaches so severe they seek care at an emergency room believing they are experiencing a migraine. Some tell-tale differences are that migraines will typically affect only one side of the head. However, it is possible to have a migraine headache that affects both sides of the head. Other differences include the pain’s quality, a migraine headache will cause intense pain that may be throbbing or pulsating and will make performing daily tasks very difficult. Symptoms Migraines often begin in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. Migraines may progress through four stages, including prodrome, aura, headache and postdrome, though not all kinds of migraines will have all four stages. (Mayo Clinic, 2013) Different kinds of Migraines have different symptoms, the two most common kinds of migraines are the classic migraine and the common migraine. Classic migraines usually begin with a warning sign, called an aura. The aura often involves changes in the way you see. You may see flashing lights, colors, a pattern of lines, or shadows. You may temporarily lose some of your vision, usually your peripheral vision. Auras last about 15 to 30 minutes and can occur before or after your head pain, and sometimes the pain and aura overlap, or the pain never occurs. The head pain of classic migraines may occur on one side of your head or on both sides. Other symptoms of a classic migraine include a strange prickly feeling or …show more content…
It is now believed that genetics and environmental factors play a role. Changes in the brainstem and how it interacts with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway, may cause migraines. Imbalances in brain chemicals such as serotonin, which helps regulate pain in your nervous system, may also be involved. Studies show serotonin levels drop during migraine attacks. When serotonin levels fall, the blood vessels dilate (swell). The drop in serotonin levels may also cause your trigeminal system to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain 's outer covering (meninges), resulting in headache pain. The drop in serotonin levels is thought to be due to a variety of different triggers such as anxiety, stress, lack of food or sleep, exposure to light, and hormonal changes in women. (Mayo Clinic, 2013) Genetics, gender, and age also have a role in how susceptible a person is to having migraines. Studies show that you are much more likely to have migraines if one or both of your parents had migraines. Women are also more likely than men to have migraines. And most people who suffer from migraines have their first migraine during adolescence. (Family Doctor, 2014) Research is currently being done all around the world to identify what causes migraines, it is however more likely there is no singular cause for migraines and it is a number of different variables playing a