All about headaches and migraines

By Faith Mutua,

Introduction:

Do you get pain in your head or face or sometimes feel this severe throbbing pain on one side of the head accompanied by nausea? Join me in this journey to learn more about migraines and headaches, and how to manage them and when to seek medical attention 

Difference between a headache and a migraine

A headache is a painful sensation in any part of the head, ranging from sharp to dull, that may occur with other symptoms. While a migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Types and causes of headaches

There are many different types of headaches, so identifying the location and nature of your pain can help determine the cause.

Some of the most common types of headaches include:

• Tension headaches: the pain from tension headaches tends to spread across both sides of the head, often starting at the back and creeping forward. This is the most common form of headache pain. Eyestrain, stress, and hunger are frequent causes of tension headaches, and they can be chronic 

• Sinus headaches: these often strike when you are sick or feeling congested. They’re caused by swelling in the sinus passages, resulting in pain behind the cheeks, nose, and eyes. The pain is often worst when you wake up in the morning and when you bend forward 

• Cluster headaches:  these are usually painful and occur in “clusters” meaning they happen daily (usually at the same time), sometimes up to several times per day for months. They are a result of dilation in the blood vessels of the brain due to a release of serotonin and histamines. They can be caused by physical exertion, bright lights, or even altitude 

• Rebound headaches: this is a type of headache where a person develops a headache after the pain-relieving effect of a medication wears off. Withdrawal from other medicines or substances, such as caffeine, can also cause a rebound headache. According to the International Headache Society (IHS), the diagnostic criteria for rebound headache are people:

  • experiencing a headache on  15 or more days days per month in those with preexisting headaches

  • overusing headache medication for longer than three months

Migraines and their causes

A migraine episode may occur in four different phases, though not everyone experiences every phase. The phases include:

• Prodrome phase: sometimes called the pre-headache phase, this stage features painless symptoms that occur hours or days before a migraine arrives. These include mood swings, food cravings, and stiffness of the neck

• Aura phase: auras refer to sensory disturbances that occur before or during a migraine. Auras can affect a person’s vision, touch, or speech, though not everyone who suffers from migraines experiences auras. Examples can include: blurred vision, blind spots that expand over time, numbness in the arm, and slurred or jumbled speech

• Headache phase: this is when the pain usually hits, it may range from mild to debilitating. Physical activity and exposure to light, sound, and smells may worsen the pain. However, some people  can have a migraine without developing a headache 

• Postdromal phase: the final phase is when the pain has subsided. One may feel exhausted, confused, or generally unwell during this phase 

While headaches usually have easily traceable causes, migraines have common triggers but no one cause. If you suffer from migraines you may find that certain factors trigger their onset. 

Triggers vary from person to person and include:

• Gender and hormonal shifts: women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men. Menstrual cycles and changes in hormones are a factor in migraines in women

• Allergies: they cause irritation and inflammation in the body. Because migraines are associated with inflammation of the blood vessels, allergies are a known trigger for some people 

• Family history and genetics: people with family members suffering from migraines are more likely to develop migraines themselves. 

• Environmental: this category includes a wide range of triggers, like changes in weather, stress, food, smells, and lack of sleep

Remedies for headaches and migraines 

If you get frequent headaches or migraine attacks, you may wonder whether there’s any way to prevent them — or what might help relieve your pain and other symptoms when you get one. Even if your doctor has prescribed medication or other treatments, are there additional measures you could be taking on your own?

The answer is yes. While home remedies and lifestyle changes alone may not prevent or relieve all headaches or migraine attacks, they can have an additive effect when used along with doctor-prescribed therapies.

Understanding what brings on, or triggers, headache and migraine attacks may help you identify what types of self-care might prevent them

Eat Regularly and Avoid Dehydration to Help Prevent Headache and Migraine

Skipped meals or too many hours between them is a common migraine attack trigger. Low blood glucose caused by not eating can also cause a headache that is not part of a migraine attack.

While it’s true that planning healthy meals and snacks takes effort, as does making sure you eat them at regular intervals, the payoff of that effort is more energy and potentially fewer headaches or migraine attacks.

Since even mild to moderate dehydration can be a trigger for a migraine attack or headache, get in the habit of having water available to drink at all times, particularly during exercise.

Scalp massage may help relieve migraine pain

Do-it-yourself saclap massages  may be na effective way to alleviate migraine pain

For some people with migraine, scalp massage will offer relief from pain by helping reduce tension and promoting more robust circulation. 

Scalp massage is unlikely to be comfortable for people with allodynia, a fairly common symptom of migraine in which people are very sensitive to touch and other stimuli that isn’t typically painful. Allodynia can make even normal activities such as brushing hair or resting your head on a pillow very painful.

A Cold Compress or Ice Pack Can Help Lessen Pain

Cold packs can be placed on the forehead and temples or on the back of the neck, if you prefer. It’s best to keep a cloth between your skin and an ice pack; if you use a commercial cold pack, make sure there are no leaks where chemicals could escape and potentially harm your eyes.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Headache Severity

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that your body needs but can’t produce on its own. They must therefore be consumed in the diet.

Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids include wild cold-water fish such as salmon, cod, and tuna; flaxseed, walnuts, and eggs fortified with omega-3s.

Omega-3s are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-blood-clotting effects, which may make them protective against heart disease and stroke.

Consuming more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may also have some benefit for people with migraine.

When it is time to seek medical advice

If you have any type of headaches and migraines consistently, if your headaches are increasing in frequency or severity, or are interfering with your usual activities, see a doctor.  

Seek immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing the worst headache you’ve ever had, lose vision or consciousness, have uncontrollable vomiting, or if your headache lasts more than 72 hours with less than 4 hours pain-free.

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Conclusion

Most people will experience a headache at one point in their lives. Not all headaches are the same, as they range in severity, frequency, and cause. 

Headache disorders can significantly impact a person’s ability to function and reduce their overall quality of life. This is why accurate diagnoses are so important through seeking medical attention. Correctly differentiating between headaches and types of migraine headache can lead to faster, more effective treatment.