Headache VS Migraine: Difference & Similarities

It’s essential that we understand the difference between the traditional headache and migraine headache.

Bhavishya Bir
migraine headache Main

For most of us, it’s difficult to comprehend whether the pressure or pain in your head is a headache or migraine. Ninny Sunny, Consultant Nutritionist and lifestyle coach, The Lifekart.in says, “it’s essential that we should understand the difference between the traditional headache and migraine headache so that you can get faster relief by adapting to the right treatment.”

What is a headache?

difference migraine headache

Headaches are one of the most common health issues people are facing across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that around 50 percent of adults globally are affected by the headache. They are the unpleasant pain in the head that usually. It can be mild to severe and occurs in both sides of the head. Some of the most common areas of headache are temple, back of the neck and forehead. Usually a headache lasts for half an hour and so. The most common headache type is a tension headache and stress, muscle strain, and anxiety are the triggers for this headache.

Other types of headache include: Cluster Headaches, Sinus Headaches, Chiari Headaches and Thunderclap headache.

What is Migraine?

similarities migraine headache

These headaches are intense and have other symptoms besides head pain. And these symptoms are:

  • Nausea
  • Pain behind one eye or ear
  • Pain in the temples
  • Seeing spots or flashing lights
  • Sensitivity to light and/or sound
  • Temporary vision loss
  • Vomiting

Unlike traditional headaches, migraine headache pain is severe and at times it needs medical attention as well. In this headache, pain is only on the one side of the head. The pain quality of migraine headache is throbbing and can cause trouble in performing day to day activities.

Primarily, migraine headaches are of two kinds -- migraine with aura and migraine without aura. Migraine with aura signifies a sensation before one gets the migraine. The sensations begin anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes before the attack. These sensations come in the form of feeling less mentally alert or having trouble thinking, seeing flashing lights or unusual lines, feeling of numbness in the face or hands and having an unusual sense of smell, taste, or touch.

Some people also get below-mentioned symptoms a day ahead of the attack:

  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Frequent yawning
  • Irritability
  • Neck stiffness
  • Unusual food cravings

Some of the prominent migraine triggers are contraceptives, emotional anxiety, alcohol, hormonal changes and menopause.

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Treatment of headaches

Most headaches can be cured with the intake of over-the-counter medicines including ibuprofen and aspirin. As stress is the dominant reason behind headaches, therefore, reducing the stress level is pivotal to control the headache and its future episodes. Some of the relaxation techniques of stress are applying warm compresses or taking a warm shower, massage, meditation, neck stretching and relaxation exercises.

Treatment of Migraine

healthy migraine headache

Making some modifications in diet and lifestyle is the best way to prevent migraine. One needs to eliminate food-items including coffee and alcohol from the diet. On should also follow the above-mentioned relaxation techniques to avoid stress, which could also lead to migraine in the long-run.

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Ninny Sunny says, “One can also opt for the relief kit from thelifekart.in that provides 100% natural remedy to fight and cure migraines headaches. Made with indigenous herbs including black cumin, cumin, moonleaf, ginger and peppermint, the Migraine Relief Kit is a herbal probiotic aiming to resolve headaches and pain by allowing intestinal flora to flourish in your gut. One should consume the tablets 20 minutes before each meal and mix the probiotic sachet with water when you wake up in the morning.”

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