Is This The Start?

Most migraines sufferers experience migraines on a recurring basis, thus making it important that they are made aware of what preemptive warning signs are and how they can lessen their chances of suffering from an intense migraine that renders them immobile. The warning sides that tell if a migraine is on the verge of breaking through may be overlooked or explained away, however if these warning signs are noted and charted migraines can be stopped before they get started.

• Sleepiness is often explained away by an overactive brain, bed discomfort and a million other reasons but drowsiness is a sign that a migraine might be in the near future.
• Sudden irritability or changes in mood. Irritability can often be chalked away as not having had a good night’s rest, be cautious of overlooking unexplained irritability.
• Fatigue
• Bouts of depression
• Obsessive yawning
• Cravings for foods high in sugar of lathered in salt

Symptoms such as the ones mentioned might go unnoticed by most, but those that suffer with frequent migraine headaches should take note of the warnings signs, chart them and prepare for the onset of a migraine headache.

Still Unsure?
Those who are new to migraine attacks may find his or herself questioning if the pain ebing felt is truly the result of a migraine attack or just the result of stress, sinus complications or some other form of headache. To remove or eliminate the confusion migraine sufferers must quickly learn how he or she can tell the difference between typical headaches and migraine headaches.

The onset of a headache is nuisance and can cause productivity to temporarily stop until it subsides but how do you differentiate between a headache and a migraine? Though both a headache and a migraine have some similarities, there are a few distinct characteristics of a headache that sets it apart from a migraine. Pay close attention to the next few bullet points they should explain in more detail what a headache vs. a migraine looks like.

• A headache attacks quickly and with no warning where as a migraine we learned has preemptive warning signs.
• Migraines can last up to three days headaches a few hours.
• A headache though bothersome does not typically result in a loss of productivity and the inability to function.
• Headaches feel more like a pulsing feeling inside your head; migraines on the other hand tend to be felt only on one side of the head.
• A bout of irritability might occur with a headache but typically resides after some over the counter medicine has been taken, sadly those suffering with a migraine do not bounce back as quickly.
• Feelings of nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound are all characters of a migraine and will not be present with a headache.

Most headaches are often short lived with no cause for concern there are times when a headache causes severe tension in the facial muscles putting a strain on the neck, shoulders eyes these headaches are called tension headaches and can be treated with over the counter medication. Some forty million people suffer with headaches throughout a given year making headaches a very common complaint, the concern is not that a headache has occurred but the frequency of the headache as well as the length in which the headache last. If frequent headaches (not migraines) occur and last longer than a few hours, medical attention might be needed in order to insure that the pain being felt is truly a headache and not something more.

Now That You Are Sure
After reading the various differences between headaches and migraines one can start the process of making simple life changes that could lessen the migraine duration. By simply making a few changes to their normal routine, men and women will notice fewer migraine attacks during a single month. Some simple steps to reducing migraine headaches are:

• A set scheduled time for going to bed and waking each morning.
• Having a daily exercise regime – exercise has proven to help improve quality of life for individuals suffering from various conditions from diabetes to migraine headaches. Individuals who are not physically fit are more prone to migraine attacks.
• Avoid skipping meals and long bouts of fasting.
• Avoid stress (if possible) – exercise can help release negative endorphins and research has proven that daily exercise can help improve mood and improve clarity of thought.
• Refrain from overuse of caffeine do not consume more than two caffeinated beverages in a given day.
• Bright and flashing lights are often associated with migraines therefore keep protective eyewear on hand and avoid places with flashing lights.

Tags: migraine headaches, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, Migraines, natural treatment, symptoms of migraines