June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM). This month focuses on disease awareness related to migraines, cluster headaches, and full headaches by raising public knowledge and addressing stigma surrounding migraines and headaches.
Every June is dedicated to spreading awareness about migraines and headaches through various campaigns and initiatives. The theme for Migraine and Headache Awareness Month 2023 is "Educate Yourself, Educate Others." This theme is based on raising awareness, addressing stigma, increasing education, and continuing to advocate.
Not all headaches are the same. Read on to learn the differences between migraines and non migraine headaches, including differences in symptoms and treatment.
Migraines vs Headaches
Primary headaches include several types of headaches. There are many types of headaches, including migraines, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, hormone headaches, caffeine headaches, and tension headaches.
Typically, migraines are the most severe form of headaches since they cause more physical symptoms. Headaches may be mild to moderate pain, while migraines are moderate to severe pain in addition to other unpleasant bodily symptoms.
Migraine headaches are common and can be extremely disabling. There are episodic (occasional) and chronic (15 or more days per month) migraines. Migraines may be accompanied by an aura (such as seeing flashing lights, tingling sensations, or seeing geometric shapes). These symptoms are often referred to as prodrome, which is a period in which symptoms warn of impending arrival of the migraine.
Some prodrome symptoms include:
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Hyperactivity
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Hypoactivity
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Depression
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Cravings for particular foods
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Repetitive yawning
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Fatigue
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Neck stiffness or pain
Auras and prodrome symptoms are specific to migraines only and they are your body’s way of notifying you that a migraine is near and to prepare yourself.
Types of Headaches
Chronic daily headaches can be a nuisance and affect about 4% of adults. Chronic daily headaches are more common with those who snore and use caffeine. Chronic headaches may feel like a dull ache in the head.
Cluster headaches are recurrent, extreme, one-sided headaches. Cluster headaches often center on one eye or temple and last 30-60 minutes. Cluster headaches usually stop abruptly but can then appear again, and then repeat up to 8 times a day.
Tension headaches are common headaches with a lifetime prevalence in the general population ranging up to 78%. Tension headaches are often described as a tight band around the head (pericranial) or a weight on top of it. Movement does not make tension headaches worse, unlike migraines. Neck and shoulder muscles may be tense with tension headaches as well. Tension headaches can be triggered by stress and are sometimes referred to as stress headaches.
Migraine headaches are the most disabling primary headache disorder. Symptoms of migraine headaches include:
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Moderate to severe pain
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Pain made worse with movement such as physical activity
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Sensitivity to light and sound (photophobia and phonophobia)
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Aura present
While migraine headaches and non-migraine headaches are often described as the same, they possess different symptoms. Here is a chart to distinguish between migraines and non-migraine headaches:
|
Symptoms |
Migraine |
Non-migraine Headaches |
|---|---|---|
|
Moderate/severe pain |
Yes |
No |
|
Mild/moderate pain |
No |
Yes |
|
Nausea |
Yes |
No |
|
Vomiting |
Yes |
No |
|
Aura present |
Yes |
No |
|
Photophobia |
Yes |
No |
|
Phonophobia |
Yes |
No |
|
Pain on both sides of head |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Pain on forehead or scalp |
Yes |
Yes |
Migraines can be caused by emotional anxiety, contraceptives, hormones, and alcohol, while headaches can be caused by emotional stress, caffeine intake, or lack of sleep. People who suffer from migraines often have a combination of other headache symptoms and causes.
Read: Get Migraine Treatment Online
How to Treat a Migraine
Migraine relief can be achieved by avoiding triggers and by treatment at home. Relaxation exercises, meditation, and coping with stress in healthy ways help reduce migraine and headache triggers. If you get a migraine, you can try the following home remedies to ease the pain.
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Heat therapy, such as applying warm compresses or taking a warm shower may help ease migraine symptoms.
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Migraine head wraps are also available and can be used for hot or cold therapy, whichever is more beneficial for you.
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Wearing noise canceling headphones and UV protectant sunglasses may also help light and sound sensitivity that often occurs with migraines.
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Essential oil rollers that contain peppermint rolled across your forehead may alleviate some symptoms.
Migraine treatment involves medication and non-pharmaceutical therapies. Medications, both prescription and nonprescription, are available to treat migraine headaches.
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Over the counter medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, naproxen sodium or ibuprofen may help relieve mild to moderate pain.
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Prescription drugs such as almotriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, promethazine, or compazine are used to treat and manage migraine headaches.
How to Treat a Headache
Treatment of a headache typically includes medications, relaxation techniques, and trigger reduction. Trigger reduction mostly focuses on stress reduction, avoidance of certain known trigger-foods, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
Headache treatment online focuses on medical treatment options such as prescription medications. Headaches can be mild to severe and debilitating. It is better to have a treatment plan before a migraine hits. Medications are available online to treat headaches.
Getting online headache treatment can focus on medication management by completing a consultation with an online doctor. If you suffer from headaches or have already been diagnosed with migraines, speak with one of our doctors today to see what treatment options are available. After you book an appointment, your doctor will determine a personalized headache treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and treatment goals.
Read More About Migraine vs Headache
Sources
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Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients. About. Accessed on June 10, 2021 from https://headachemigraine.org/about/
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International Classification of Headache Disorders. The primary headaches. Accessed on June 10, 2021 from https://ichd-3.org/
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Mayo Clinic. Migraine - Symptoms & causes. Accessed on June 11, 2021 at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201
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Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. About MHAM. Accessed on June 10, 2021 from https://www.migraineheadacheawarenessmonth.org/about-mham/
