Is it a headache or a migraine?

Is it a Headache or a Migraine?

Is it a Headache or a Migraine? You will hear many people say "I have a terrible migraine" when in fact they actually have a headache, not a migraine. Only a true migraine sufferer can know the difference between a headache and a migraine, and that difference is huge. As a migraine sufferer I can but smile when I hear a friend or colleague say they have a migraine, because if that was the case they would be unable to continue with their work; usually, with a migraine, a person is unable to continue with their daily activities. Such a state normally requires the sufferer to lie down in a quiet place with little or no light as both sound and light are two things that affect a migraine sufferer when they have a migraine.

If you believe you suffer migraines (as opposed to headaches) ask yourself these questions:

- can I continue with my work / life despite it?

If your answer is yes, you have a headache, not a migraine.

- does it get so bad that I vomit?

If you answer yes, you have a migraine.

- does it last 6 hours or less?

If your answer is yes, you have a headache, not a migraine.

So once you establish which condition you suffer from, the next step is to take action to identify the cause of the headache or migraine.

Headaches can be brought on my any number of causes, ranging from foods you eat, allergies to plants or flowers, stress, tension, anxiety, pressure from those around you, feelings of worry about such things as finances and personal family concerns.

The first and foremost treatment should be an intense desire to remove from your life the things causing the headaches / migraines. Sometimes this is, of course, not possible, so you need to address natural solutions to the headaches and this can take many forms. There are organized relaxtion techniques you can practise, there are self hypnosis lessons that will be of immense help (see below). Lavender oil rubbed into the area above the eyebrows and temples and the back of the neck reportedly brings quick relief from headaches. Often fresh air is all that is needed - leave the airconditioned room and go outside and breathe deeply to replenish the oxygen supplies in your blood; this is particularly valuable during winter when the house is closed up and heated, and the air becomes stale. Simply go for a walk. 

The final resort to dealing with the headache is the use of a proprietary product, many of which are available in the supermarket. But before taking such products always spend some time reading the leaflet that is enclosed in the package which will not just explain the dosage requirement but also the known side effects of the product. No such product should be taken over an extended period.

As always, before taking any medicines of any kind, we recommend you consult your physician.

Home : Migraine Triggers

Is it a Headache or a Migraine?

Migraine Headache Symptoms

Migraine Pain Remedies

Chronic Daily Migraine

Site Map

Google Site Map

Yahoo Site Map

More Headache or Migraine and Tips

Relief From Headaches
When you have a pounding headache, and you do not know what to do, you will reach for an over-the-counter medicine that your doctor may or may not have prescribed for you. It is a fact that most doctors do tend to prescribe pain relief .... Click here to read more ....

Remedies for Migraine Pain
Tension and stress are the main causes of migraine headaches, reports the National Library of Medicine; about 79% of the population will suffer a headache every day of the week and 21% will have a migraine headache .... Click here to read more ....

Cure For Migraine Headache
As you know, experts have stated time and again that there is no real cure for migraine headache, other than to get plenty of rest, and if possible, to sleep it off. However, other migraine sufferers have insisted that they have been able to obtain .... Click here to read more ....