This headache causes article is written by Lavender Stewart.

 

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Having a headache is a situation anybody can identify with since it is something that everyone has experience at one time or another. For some, it is just a mild condition that only requires resting or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. For others, though, the pain is more severe and frequent and may need further medical evaluation.


A headache is one of the most common complaints of patients seeking medical help. Although there are several types, the most common are tension headaches. Although they are generally less severe than migraine headaches, there are times when people mistake them for migraines, especially when other symptoms appear.


The primary area of comparison that the patient must try to distinguish should be the intensity and location of pain. Both exhibit steady pain but the difference is that people who have migraine headaches feel an intense pounding and throbbing ache on one or both sides of the head that is potentially debilitating. The pain worsens when the head is moved so lying down or resting is imperative. With a tension headache, however, the throbbing pain is not present and the sensation of pressure is only mild to moderate. While it can be distracting, being immobile is not necessary.


Symptoms also differ between the two. Migraine headaches are always accompanied by a myriad of other symptoms during an attack, the most common of which are nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, sounds or odors, and visual disturbance. Very rarely does a tension headache have these symptoms. Usually, migraine attacks are initiated by triggers, which are varied and include certain food, weather and environmental conditions or specific events. The source of a tension headache is oftentimes psychological stress, after long working hours, uncomfortable situations or sleep deprivation. It can also result from bad posture, eyestrain or hunger.


A headache, regardless of its type, is not to be taken lightly especially when they occur frequently. It is possible that the person is suffering from migraine headaches but it could also be a warning sign for another underlying illness. It is advisable to seek help from a medical practitioner when the pain occurs several times in a month and disrupts daily activities, when symptoms other than a headache arise, when pain is felt around the eyes or ears, or when there is a change in the level of alertness.


In diagnosing whether or not a person is experiencing migraine headaches, the medical practitioner requires specific types of information in order to do an accurate assessment. These include the frequency, location and duration of the headaches, what times of the day or the month they occur, presence or absence of other symptoms, whether or not there is a family history of migraine, medications taken currently or in the past and history of past illnesses. If this is not sufficient, the doctor may order other tests to be conducted such as blood screening, CT scan or MRI.

Unlike tension headaches, migraine headaches need special treatment. Therefore, an early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective pain management.


Do you experience migraine auras during an attack? More information about migraine symptoms can be found at http://www.fightmigraineheadaches.com