The Differences Between Headaches And Migraines

There are headaches, we’ve all experienced them; and then there are migraine headaches. Anybody who has ever been subjected to a real migraine headache will have no problem telling you that there is a huge difference between a headache and a migraine. Migraines are in a completely different league all together. A typical headache takes place when our muscle contractions cause mild to moderate head pain that can come and go over time. While true, although there are many diverse kinds of headaches, they can range from just simply uncomfortable to downright unmistakably wretched. Just about anyone who has ever lived on this earth has at one time or another experienced a headache at some point in their life.

A migraine on the other hand, not everybody experiences these excruciating headaches. A migraine involves blood vessel contractions that can create severe, agonizing, and often incapacitating pain. They are often experienced as a type of almost unbearable throbbing, pounding pain that might be accompanied by sensitivity to light, noise, and smells. The loss of appetite, upset stomach to the point of nausea or even vomiting; as well as dizziness and blurred vision, are among some of the other symptoms that are present within a migraine attack.

Roughly about forty five million Americans suffer from headaches every year and more than twenty eight million of these Americans will suffer from genuine migraine headaches. According to studies, the commonness of migraines has amplified by almost sixty percent in all age categories in most recent years. In addition, three times more females than males are subjected to migraines. An expected 8.7 percent of women to the 2.6 percent of men in the United States alone suffer from migraines. One possibility behind this higher rate of migraines in women may possibly be hormone imbalances, as females characteristically get migraines around the time of menstruation or ovulation when hormones can fluctuate significantly. Genes also have been connected to migraines. Research shows that individuals who are more likely to get migraines may have abnormal genes that control the functions of certain brain cells. Specialists do know that those with migraines do react to a variety of factors and events, referred to as triggers.

Possible Migraine Triggers:
These migraine triggers can vary from person to person and they don’t always lead to migraine. In most cases, a combination of triggers, not simply a single thing or event, is much more likely to set off a migraine attack. An individual’s reaction to triggers can also vary from migraine to migraine and no two migraines are ever exactly the same. Below is a list of some of the most possible migraine triggers:

• Lack of or too much sleep as well as disturbances in sleep patterns such as nightmares or sleep apnea or even frequent waking and falling back to sleep
• Skipped meals as well as irregular eating schedule
• Bright lights or flickering lights, loud noises, or strong odors & perfumes
• Changes in the weather
• Caffeine- too much as well as withdrawal from
• Stress and anxiety is a big one that is very common however not as well-known is that relaxation after stress can also cause a migraine
• Alcohol can also cause a migraine the most often is red wine
• Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle or hormonal changes in general as well
• Foods that contain nitrates, such as hot dogs and lunch meats
• Foods that contain MSG also known as monosodium glutamate, which is a flavor enhancer that is found in most fast foods, broths, seasonings, and spices
• Foods that have tyramine in them, such as aged cheeses, soy products, fava beans, hard sausages, smoked fish, and Chianti wine
• Aspartame is another big one that is what is found in your artificial sweeteners like Equal or Sweet N Low NutraSweet, etc.

Also to better pin down what your individual migraine triggers are, it is very helpful to keep a migraine headache journal. Each and every day you experience a migraine headache, record it in your journal. Talking with your doctor about what causes or activates your particular migraine attacks is always a better way to help to find the right and perfect treatment plan for you.

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