Migraine is an often lifelong neurological disorder characterised by recurrent moderate to severe headaches, usually on one side of the head. Headache is a term used to describe a variety of different pain symptoms that originate from different parts of the head. When there’s pressure or pain in your head, it can be difficult to tell whether you’re experiencing a typical headache or a migraine attack. Differentiating migraine from other headache disorders, and vice versa, is important. It can mean faster relief through more targeted treatments based on the type of headache. It can also help prevent future headaches from occurring in the first place. So how can you tell the difference between a common headache and a migraine attack? What is a headache? Headaches are unpleasant pains in your head that can cause pressure and aching. They usually occur on both sides of your head, and the pain can range from mild to severe. Some specific areas where headaches can occur include the: forehead temples back of the neck A typical headache usually lasts between 5 minutes and 4 hours. Some migraine episodes can last for days or even longer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source, the most common headache type is a tension headache. Triggers for this headache type include: stress anxiety muscle strain eyestrain Tension headaches aren’t the only type of headache What is a migraine? Migraine attacks are intense or severe and often have other symptoms in addition to head pain. Symptoms associated with migraine without aura include: neck and shoulder pain nausea pain behind one eye or ear pain in the temples sensitivity to light and/or sound vomiting muscle aches When compared with tension or other headache types, migraine pain can be moderate to severe. Some people may experience migraine attacks so severe that they seek care at an emergency room. Migraine episodes will typically affect only one side of the head. However, it’s possible to have a migraine episode that affects both sides of the head. Other differences include the pain’s quality. A migraine attack will cause intense pain that may be throbbing and will make performing daily tasks very difficult. A 2018 study found that more than 15% of adults in the United States had experienced a migraine episode or a severe headache within the last 3 months. Where is migraine pain located? Migraine pain is usually, but not always, on one side of the headTrusted Source. Depending on the type of migraine attack, the pain may be felt: in the temples in the forehead behind one or both eyes in the neck Is it good to sleep when you have a migraine attack? In studies, those with sleep disorders were more likely to have a migraine disorderTrusted Source. It’s believed that a lack of sleep can trigger migraine attacks or make them worse. While the research is still ongoing, it appears that sleep may play a role in migraine prevention. A 2018 review of studiesTrusted Source found that people who experience migraine attacks often report sleep as an effective therapy for migraine. One hypothesis is that the glymphatic system, a newly discovered waste clearance system in the brain that’s similar to the lymphatic system in the rest of the body, may be more active during sleep. Treating headaches Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments Most tension headaches will go away with OTC treatments. These include: acetaminophen aspirin ibuprofen Relaxation techniques Because some headaches are stress induced, taking steps to reduce stress can help relieve headache pain and reduce the risk of future headaches. These include: heat therapy, such as applying warm compresses or taking a warm shower massage meditation neck stretching relaxation exercises Treating migraine Prevention tips Prevention is often the best treatment for migraine episodes. Examples of preventive methods a doctor may prescribe include: making changes to your diet, such as eliminating foods and substances known to cause headaches, like alcohol and caffeine taking prescription medications, such as antidepressants, blood pressure-lowering medications, antiepileptic medications, or CGRP receptor antagonists, on a daily schedule taking steps to reduce stress, such as participating in relaxation techniques VISIT TO MORE INFORMATION: https://tinyurl.com/4vujt88h #HeadacheRelief #MigraineRelief #HeadacheFree #MigraineSupport #HeadacheHelp