The pain of a migraine headache is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head. However, it is much more; the International Headache Society diagnoses a migraine by its pain and number of attacks (at least 5, lasting 4-72 hours if untreated), and additional symptoms including nausea and/or vomiting, or sensitivity to both light and sound.
Do you or someone you know suffer from migraine pain?
It’s estimated that more than 8% of Canadians have been diagnosed with migraines. This leaves an indeterminate number of people with undiagnosed migraines since not everyone with migraines seeks medical attention.
Staying informed can help patients manage their migraine symptoms and live better. Finding effective relief can be challenging, but understanding the treatments available can help you to manage your symptoms.
Through this comprehensive guide, you can learn the difference between migraines and headaches, and when to see a doctor. You can also learn tips to help prevent migraines with specific lifestyle changes and by identifying and avoiding your migraine triggers.
Our information on migraines is constantly growing. Bookmark this page to keep up to date with the latest resources and to find relief from migraine pain.
Migraines Vs Headaches: What’s The Difference?
Do you think you suffer from migraines?
Both headaches and migraines can cause intense pain, making it difficult to know which one you’re experiencing. A severe headache can feel like a migraine. Determining which one you have will help you to find treatments offering faster and more effective relief.
Continue reading to find out which one you’re experiencing…
Migraine Aura, Other Migraine Symptoms and Stages (Plus When to See a Doctor)
There are two main classifications of migraines, migraine with aura and migraine without.
There are 4 stages in a migraine: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. But not everyone experiences all of these stages, or not all the time. Keeping a diary of your symptoms will help you better determine when to see a doctor, and be better prepared for the types of questions your doctor may ask.
Read on to find out more about migraine symptoms and stages.
Ocular Migraines, Common Types of Migraines, and How They’re Diagnosed
There are different types of migraines, such as ocular, basilar, vestibular, chronic, and menstrual.
There are also various methods that are used to diagnosed migraines.
Migraine Triggers and Important Lifestyle Changes
There isn’t a lot known as to what causes migraines. So understanding your own triggers, like caffeine or stress, can be a great asset to managing your migraines.
Keeping a migraine journal may help you identify your triggers.
Read on to learn about some common triggers, and how to manage your migraines…
Migraine Relief: Prevention and Treatment
Those who suffer from migraine pain and other migraine symptoms know it can be debilitating and can lead to sick days or lost productivity at work or school.
Finding relief can help you to get on with your everyday activities and improve your overall quality of life.
Read on to learn tips for migraine prevention, and about treatments available to you…
Trusted Resources
- 6 Tips For Handling Migraines at Work (Health Central)
- Diagnosing Migraines and Headaches (WebMD)
- Headache and Migraine: What’s the Difference? (News Medical Life Sciences)
- How to Avoid A Migraine Before It Happens (Health Line)
- Managing migraines at home (Medline Plus)
- Migraines 5 Tips to Take Control (WebMD)
- Migraine Diet: Eating Right (Health Line)
- Migraine Headache (E Medicine Help)
- Mirgaine Self-management (Mayo Clinic)
- Migraines: Simple steps to head off the pain (Mayo Clinic)
- Migraine Symptoms (Migraine.com)
- Migraine Symptoms and Causes (Mayo Clinic)
- Migraine Treatment (Mayo Clinic)
- Migraine vs. Headache: How to Tell Them Apart (Heath Line)
- Simple Lifestyle Changes May Ease Chronic Headache (WebMD)
- The diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine (NCIB)
- Prevalence of migraine in the Canadian household population (Stats Canada)
- What Type of Migraine to I Have? (WebMD)
- When to See a Doctor for Your Migraine? Or the ER? (Migraine.com)
The information in this article should not be taken as professional medical advice. If you are having issues or have health-related concerns, you should see your personal physician.