Migraines are severe forms of headache that can last up to three days if not correctly managed. Failure to recognize that your headache is a migraine can result in seeking the wrong remedies to manage the condition, worsening the symptoms and making the condition last long. However, Adam Camp, an Ionia migraines specialist, can help you differentiate between other headaches and migraines through accurate diagnosis of your symptoms and consequently help you get relief through the most advanced treatments. You can also distinguish a migraine through the following tips.
Locate Your Pain
The pain from a migraine is usually intense and throbbing, often occurring on one side of your head. In some cases, you can experience constant pain in your temples or behind either eye. Generally, migraine pain lasts for about 4-72 hours and occurs gradually, meaning you can notice when your head begins to hurt before you experience the worst of the pain. Therefore, pay close attention when your head starts to hurt to understand if it is a migraine as it progresses.
Look Beyond the Pain
Migraines also cause other symptoms besides the pain, which can differentiate it from other headaches. However, the experience is usually unique in every patient, and you might have to report the exact things you are experiencing to your doctor. Generally, you might experience sensitivity to light, smell, sound, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, and fainting. However, the symptoms may vary from time to time, and as you grow old, new migraines often come with new symptoms.
Evaluate Your Triggers
Sometimes a diagnosis is more straightforward when you can pinpoint the exact cause of your condition. While doctors are not yet entirely sure about the causes of migraines, they consider some outside factors as common triggers of the state. But every person has different triggers depending on the external changes you experience and your environment. But it is good to note any current changes in your life as they can cause your migraines. Some common triggers include:
· Menstruation
· Stress and anxiety
· Extreme sensory overload
· An unusual amount of sleep
· Consumption of certain chemicals in food such as tyramine, MSG, nitrates, and aspartame.
Try a Physical Activity
Migraines are generally incapacitating, making even the most uncomplicated chore difficult, and this can be a great way to tell if your headache is a migraine. Attempt a simple physical activity such as walking upstairs, and if your pain worsens, you are probably suffering from a migraine. But if you can keep on performing basic activities even with the slight discomfort, it might not be a migraine but a common tension headache.
Consider the Medications You are Taking
If your doctor has recommended certain medications to reduce your headache frequency, they should offer some relief over time. However, if you use the medicines for a long time, many anti-headache medications can cause further headaches, not migraines. Also, you can endure a medication-overuse headache if you have been taking the medication frequently. Generally, stop taking the drugs and talk to your doctor for additional help.
Notice the Frequency of Your Headaches
Migraines generally last for several hours and only reappear after several weeks. Therefore, if your headache is regular and brief, it can be a cluster headache rather than a migraine. Additionally, you might experience congestion, runny nose, or facial sweating for cluster headaches.
If your head pains, have your symptoms diagnosed by the medical practitioners at Advanced Pain Solutions. This will help you understand the nature of your condition; whether it is a migraine or other type of headache, and receive suitable treatment.
