How do you distinguish a migraine from a headache?
Some days I have a really bad headache/migraine.It's this throbbing pain,like I can feel my pulse.I know it might sound weird.It's quite irritating.I had one pill-Ibuprom,would it help?
My mother thinks it's because I spend too much time on the computer and I admit I do that but usually when I wake up I already have a headache and until I fall asleep it doesn't go away.
Public Comments
1. A migraine typically affects only one side of the head. It can be preceded by an "aura," a kind of visual disturbance, but not every migraine sufferer gets that. The migraine is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to noise and light. I used to get them every month (mine were hormone-related), but they've diminished. Some people get relief from Excedrin; I used a prescription drug that has codeine and acetominophen; other prescription drugs are Imitrex and Sumatriptan. I don't know if Ibuprofen will help, but it won't hurt.2. you are dehydrated. drinking soda instead of water? if you,re not getting 64 oz. of water per day above whatever else you drink; you are dehydrated. happened to me. flu like symptoms, including headaches. when i started using the 64 oz. of water; problem solved.
3. OK It really depends on the type of headache you have. So I will give you the major types of headaches and the symptoms. More than likely it is a cervicogenic headache, but look at the following descriptions and see which one fits best and then follow the advice.
Migraine- One sided, more common in females, Sensitivity to light, pain behind one eye, throbbing, brought on by bright lights, chocolate, cheese, red wine or menstrual cycle.
Can also have an aura and have a funny taste.
Hypertension- At the top and back of your head. Throbbing. You usually wake up with this headache and after about 3 hours it subsides. Usually caused by High Blood pressure. Need medicines to reduce blood pressure.
Cluster Headache, adolescent to adult, more common in males, one sided, usually over temple or eye area, may have a blood shot eye, wakes you up at night, runny nose, sweating, tearing of the eyes, Worse in spring or fall, lasts 15min- 2hrs. relief for a little bit and then comes right back.
Muscular tension- A band-like distribution around head (like wearing a very tight head band). Brought on by stress, tension, fatigue, work.
Temporal Arteritis- Only over age 50. One sided over temple area, pain in jaw, burning, aching throbbing, sensitive scalp, fever. tender arteries. If visual symptoms- go to ER with this one.
Cervicogenic(neck caused)- Pain in upper neck and back of head. Pain when moving the head. daily, reduced movement in neck area. Brought on by stress, head movement and head alignment. Can mimic a migraine including nausea. If it is a head and neck related alignment you can have temporal headaches or headaches that arc from behind the ear forward. Possible sharp pain behind your ear at the base of the skull along with correlated shoulder pain. Can last for days and weeks at a time until misalignment is corrected. Very little or only short term relief when taking headache medications.
Sinus- Localized, certain positions are worse, steady throb, worse in the morning.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage- abrupt onset, constant stiff neck, feels like someone hit you in the head, Caused by high blood pressure, stress or aneurysm. Life threatening.
Brain Tumor- Onset morning and evening, varies from mild to severe, may throb, wakes you up at night, symptoms getting worse, neck stiffness worse than ever.
Subdural Hematoma- caused by trauma. It is a slow bleed in the brain. Natasha Richardson died from something like this.
OK now that I have told you the types of headaches. Here is what you do for them.
Migraines, muscular tension, cervicogenic, and some sinus and cluster headaches can be helped by a chiropractor. If it is sinus, you need to ask the chiropractor if they have a sinus/cranial treatment (not all do).
For Hypertension, cluster, temporal arteritis (unless it has visual component) and brain tumor- go see your doctor
For Temporal arteritis with visual impairment, subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hematoma, go to the Emergency Room right away.
I hope this helps.
I wish you the best.
