Understanding the Difference between Headaches and Migraines



Headaches and migraines are two of the most common types of pain, but they are often confused for one another. Understanding the differences between headaches and migraines can be helpful in determining what type of treatment is needed.

Headaches are generally described as a dull, throbbing pain that can range from mild to severe. They usually affect both sides of the head, but can also be localized to one side or the other. The most common cause of headaches is tension or stress, although they can also be caused by dehydration, lack of sleep, certain medications or foods, or even an underlying medical condition. Treatment for headaches typically involves over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Migraines are more intense than regular headaches and can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. They often start with a warning sign such as a visual aura (seeing spots or flashing lights), followed by an intense throbbing pain on one side of the head that may also include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine triggers vary from person to person but may include certain foods, stress levels, hormones or environmental factors such as bright lights or strong smells. Treatment for migraines usually involves prescription medication designed specifically to prevent them from occurring in addition to over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen when needed for relief during an attack.

It is important to understand the difference between headaches and migraines in order to get the appropriate treatment for each condition. If you experience frequent headaches that do not respond well to over-the-counter medications it may be worth speaking with your doctor about whether you could have chronic migraine instead so that you can receive more targeted treatment options if needed.

Tags:

headaches, migraines, pain, dull, throbbing, both sides of head, tension/stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, medications/foods, underlying medical condition, over-the-counter medications (ibuprofen/acetaminophen), more intense than regular headaches, visual aura (seeing spots/flashing lights), nausea/vomiting/sensitivity to light/sound; migraine triggers (foods/stress levels/hormones); environmental factors (bright lights/strong smells); prescription medication; chronic migraine.,

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