Dr. Hanumanth Rao Ch

Migraine vs. Headache: know the difference

How to differentiate between a migraine and headache?

When you feel pain or pressure in your head, it may become difficult for you to assess whether you are experiencing a common headache or a migraine. Let's understand how different they are from each other.

A typical headache usually affects both sides of your head and varies from a mild to moderate pain. It can last from 30 minutes to up to a period of one week.

Some specific areas which get affected by a headache are:

•   Temples
•   Forehead
•   Back of your neck

Factors that trigger this headache type are a muscle strain, stress or anxiety.

A migraine, on the other hand, is also a type of a headache which results in an acute throbbing sensation in one part of your head. Usually, migraine headaches are highly painful. Migraine pain makes it difficult for a person to carry out his/her daily tasks. Symptoms or signs associated with migraine attacks are:

•   Vomiting
•   Nausea
•   Sensitivity to sound or light
•   Pain in the temples
•   Temporary loss of vision
•   Pain behind your ear or eye

What are the common causes of a migraine?

•   Hormonal imbalances in women - fluctuations in oestrogen, especially during menopause or pregnancy seem to trigger a migraine
•   Drinks like wine and extremely caffeinated beverages
•   Foods such as salty foods, aged cheese as well as processed foods can trigger the migraine attack.
•   Medications - vasodilators such as nitroglycerine and oral contraceptives can intensify migraine pain.

How to treat a headache?

Fortunately, you can get rid of stress-induced headaches through over-the-counter treatments, which include:

•   Aspirin
•   Acetaminophen
•   Ibuprofen

How to treat a migraine?

If you experience migraine attacks less frequently, these medicines may give you quick relief:

•   Triptans, such as rizatriptan (Maxalt) or almotriptan (Axert)
•   Antinausea medicines, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), promethazine (Phenergan) or prochlorperazine (Compazine)
•   Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as acetaminophen, naproxen sodium, aspirin or ibuprofen

Some preventive tips:

•   Make changes in your diet such as avoid such foods, including caffeine and alcohol which are believed to trigger headaches.
•   You can also try muscle relaxation exercises, yoga or meditation to ease the migraine attack.

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Related Tip: 8 Common Migraine Triggers You Must Stay Away From

Vitamin b12

Vitamin b12 deficiencies may happen when you aren't getting the right nutrients in your diet when your body can't absorb nutrients properly, and when you have various other problems of the digestive system.

Vitamin b12 is a critical nutrient that helps your body make healthy red blood cells. If you have a chronic lack of b12, your body can't make a number of red blood cells that it needs, which can lead to anemia.

Animal products like meat, poultry, and seafood and dairy foods like milk, eggs, yogurt, and cheese are the best sources of vitamin b12. Honey, vegetables, and fruits are not really sources of vitamin b12, which is why people who follow a vegan diet may not get enough of it. If you're a vegan, think about eating a breakfast cereal fortified with b12. You can also take a b12 supplement, which is recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers who are vegans or even strict vegetarians.

Since most b12 in our diets comes from animal products, vegans are at risk for b12 deficiency. Crohn's and celiac disease, weight loss surgery, and chronic alcoholism can all interfere with a person's ability to absorb enough of the nutrients they need. Seniors have more problems with nutrient absorption and malnutrition as well.

Some diabetes, antibiotics, seizure, antacids, drugs can interfere with your body's ability to break down vitamin b12 from food.