What Is A Migraine?

It’s a common misconception that any bad or prolonged headache must be a migraine. The truth is that the level of pain is not the best indicator of whether you’re having a migraine attack. Indeed, some migraines are moderate in intensity. Some are no doubt excruciatingly painful, but so are some tension headaches or headaches caused by serious medical conditions like aneurysms.

So how do you know if you’re experiencing a migraine headache? Although symptoms vary, there are 3 key indicators that increase the possibility that the head pain you’re experiencing is a migraine:

  • Your headaches last from several hours or up to 3 days.
  • Sleep helps relieve the symptoms of the headache.

A migraine is essentially a headache accompanied by other biological changes. During a migraine attack your central nervous system is impacted. A neurochemical change occurs that affects your blood vessels which in turn affects blood flow to your brain which causes your head to ache. It’s not uncommon for sufferers to be more affected by smell, sight and sound during an attack or experience temperature changes in the hands and feet.

Migraines can occur several times a week, once monthly, or every few months. Also, with migraines the symptoms can start 1-2 days before the actual migraine occurs. Symptoms like frequent urination, drowsiness, irritability, or yawning are indicators (for some people) that a migraine is imminent. After a migraine is over some people experience what’s termed as a “pain hangover” which is characterized by tiredness or the inability to focus or concentrate.

What A Migraine IS NOT

Sometimes migraine symptoms overlap with those of other headache types. This affects the diagnosis process. In general, the symptoms below do not accompany a migraine headache:

  • Pain or tightness in your neck and shoulders;
  • A dull ache in your head area;
  • Headaches whose pain increases in intensity over time;
  • Head pain that only occurs after vigorous exercise.

For a list of the most common migraine headache symptoms see: Common Migraine Symptoms

Filed Under General Migraine Information |

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One Response to “What Is A Migraine?”

  1. Migraines vs. Other Types of Headaches | Migraine Symptoms Guide on July 7th, 2008 10:16 am

    [...] These can sometimes be accompanied by an aura, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. For more information about migraines see the article “What Is a Migraine?” [...]

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