Migraine Vs. Headache Differences: Stages, Causes, and Treatment

Every one of us get confused with migraine and headache, since both symptoms goes almost similar. But it is necessary to understand the exact symptoms and causes of both disorders, to get the right and effective treatment. Migraine is a neurological condition that causes repeated moderate to severe headaches, usually on one side of the head. Whereas "headache" refers to a wide range of discomfort sensations felt throughout the head.

What is Migraine?

Migraines are a type of severe headache that most people associate with. Migraine headaches, however, are just one symptom and can differ in severity and duration. "Migraines are a neurological disease that involve nerve pathways and chemicals," explains Brockman.

Migraines are a type of neurological disorder characterized by a range of symptoms, including a severe headache that typically affects just one side of the head. Your migraine will worsen when exposed to bright light, noise, or unpleasant odors. It could go on for at least four hours, even days. 

Migraine Symptoms

Headache is indeed a major symptom of migraine. It begins as a dull aching and progresses to pulsing mild, moderate, or severe pain. If left untreated, your headache will develop from moderate to severe. Pain can shift from one side of the head to the other, the front, the back, or the whole head. People sometimes feel pain in their eye, temple, face, sinuses, jaw, or neck.

The symptoms may vary with each stage of migraine.

Stages of Migraine

    1. Prodrome Phase

Prodrome phase usually begins from 1 or 2 days before the migraine arrives. The symptoms at this stage might include,

• Fatigue
• Frequent yawning
• Food cravings
• Increased urination
• Stiffness of the neck
• Mood changes

    2. Aura Phase

This phase occurs before or during the migraine. The common symptoms include,

• Blurred vision
• Numbness
• Difficulty in speaking
• Weakness
• Seeing flashes of light or bright spots

    3. Attack Phase

This phase is the most severe of all phases, which takes place during the migraine. The symptoms that occur during this phase are,

• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and smell
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Pain around the head and temples

    4. Postdrome Phase

Postdrome phase occurs a day afterward the migraine attack. The common symptoms in this phase are,

• Confusion
• Depressed mood
• Inability to concentrate

Migraine Causes

The exact cause of migraine is still unknown, but studies suggests that genetics play a major part.

The migraine attack can be caused by factors like,

• Foods
• Alcohol
• Emotional stress
• Hormonal imbalance
• Lack of sleep
• Caffeine
• Bright lights
  

Treatment

Although there is no cure for migraine, it can be managed and treated by medications, and some home remedies and lifestyle changes.

Medication, such as pain relievers, are usually helpful. If medication is taken as soon as symptoms appear, the severity of the condition may be reduced. Migraine sufferers may get relief from the following over-the-counter pain relievers such as

• naproxen (Aleve)
• ibuprofen (Advil)
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)

What is Headache?

A headache is any kind of pain or discomfort that occurs in the head or face. There is a wide range of headache types, each with its own symptoms, triggers, and treatment options.

Headache types

    1. Tension type headache

Tension headache pain typically radiates from the back of the head to the front and can affect both sides of the head simultaneously. Tension headaches can be caused by a variety of factors, including fatigue, anxiety, and even hunger.

    2. Sinus headache

Sickness and congestion are common triggers for these headaches. Sinus infections produce pressure and discomfort in the areas behind the eyes, nose, and cheeks due to swelling in the sinus cavities.   

    3. Cluster headache

These headaches can be extremely intense and tend to strike in "clusters," meaning they occur daily (often at the same time) and occasionally multiple times each day for months. They occur when serotonin and histamine are released, leading to vasodilation in the brain.

Headache Symptoms

The common symptoms of headache include,

• Numbness
• Vision changes
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Weakness

Causes of Headache

Primary headaches are caused by several diverse ways of lifestyle changes, some of which are:

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially red wine
• Consuming nitrate-containing processed meats 
• Insomnia or a lack of sleep
• Having poor posture
• Skipped meals
• Stress

Treatment

It has been suggested that certain forms of headaches and migraines can be treated with some lifestyle changes like,

• Keeping a regular exercise schedule
• Adopting a new diet that eliminates your body's allergens
• Developing better sleep routines
• Engaging in stress-reduction activities like yoga and meditation

Though lifestyle changes are the best way to overcome headaches and migraines, you can have some pain relievers to get instant relief from it. You may order some pain reliever medications and always have medicines at stock.