Migraines and Headaches: How to Tell Them Apart

Here is one lie that some people still believe up to this day: “Migraines are just terrible headaches!” In this blog, we are here to settle this matter once and for all! Let’s begin. 

Migraines are more than just terrible headaches. The truth is, a migraine is not a headache at all. Migraines are a neurological disorder, and it involves numerous symptoms. A headache is just one of those symptoms. We want to be clear that a headache doesn’t need to be present during a migraine attack. Even if a headache is not present, anyone can still have a migraine as long as these symptoms are present:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Visual disturbance
• Sensitivity to light, odors, and sound

Globally, at least 1 billion people deal with terrible migraines. Most migraineurs are adults aging between 25 and 55 years old. Women are three times more prone to migraines than men. About 90% of people with migraines have other family members also with this condition. Somehow, this would support the theory that genetics plays a significant role in this neurological illness. Also, the number of individuals suffering from chronic migraines has increased to 4 million. Chronic migraineurs suffer at least 15 days of migraine attacks per month. 

The Difference Between Migraines and Other Headaches

As mentioned, a headache may be missing from a migraine attack. Getting yourself familiar with common headaches and their symptoms will guide you in telling headaches and migraines apart from one another. 

Before we talk about each headache type, it is worth mentioning that headaches may indicate an underlying health issue and should not be left untreated. Headaches have two types:

• Primary headaches

These are headaches that appear on its own, meaning any other condition does not bring it about.

• Secondary headaches

These headaches occur due to an underlying health problem. 

Did you know that the brain does not feel pain?  The parts involved in headaches include the tissues that cover the brain, the structures at the brain’s base, the blood vessels, and muscles around the neck, scalp, and face.

Various Headache Types and Their Corresponding Symptoms

Here’s a list of some widespread types of headaches and the nature of each one.

• Neck Headache

A neck headache is also called a cervicogenic headache. It is a secondary headache condition because it occurs due to a problem in the neck joints. Dealing with the situation in your neck may relieve a neck headache.

When impairment in the neck’s musculoskeletal structure occurs, the brainstem will transmit pain signals to the brain, which the brain will perceive as a headache. In most cases, neck headaches are often due to an issue in the upper three neck joints. 

How it differs from a migraine: The origin of the problem is within the neck joints. This type of headache appears with neck stiffness and neck pain.

• Sinus Headache

Misdiagnosis of primary headaches and migraines as sinus headaches happen quite often. Sinus headaches have the following symptoms: 

1. • Commonly mild in the morning and may get worse as the day progresses
   • Pain in front of the face – across the cheeks, around the eyes, and over the forehead
   • Fever
   • Feeling of illness
   • Congestion
   • Runny nose

How it differs from a migraine: Sinus headaches spread through a greater area of the head. It does not come with any visual disturbances. However, they often coexist with migraines.

• Tension Headache

It is sometimes called a muscle contraction headache. It is the most prevalent kind of headache. Tension headaches affect the back of the neck and head or forehead. It can also have the following symptoms:

• Soreness in the shoulders or neck
• Optical disturbances
• Sensitivity to light more than usual, even between incoming attacks
• A tight feeling in the head 

How it differs from a migraine: Tension headaches may last for several minutes or even days. However, unlike migraines, they will not trigger nausea or stop you from doing your daily activities. Its symptoms are not as crippling as migraine symptoms.

• TMJ Headache

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) headaches get worse when you’re grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw very often. Listed below are a few of its known symptoms:

• Pain in the jaw when chewing
• Restricted jaw movement 
• Pain that radiates in the cheek, neck, temples, ear, or shoulders

How it differs from a migraine: Unlike migraines, symptoms of TMJ headache centers near the jaw area, face, and neck.

• Cluster Headache

It is one of the most painful headaches. This headache attacks in clusters and appears in periodic cycles. Also, it can be episodic or chronic. It can happen daily, can linger for a week or even a year. During an active cycle, most people will have to deal with one or more episodes per day or only once every other day. 

When cluster headache attacks, it can be concise but harrowing. Here are some of the symptoms of cluster headaches: 

• Moderate to severe, stabbing pain that focuses on one eye 
• Pain near the temples, above the eye, or on one side of your head
• Auras
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• Rarely cases of nausea and vomiting

How it differs from a migraine: Cluster headaches can be more painful than migraines. It occurs in periodic cycles. These episodes can have some headache-free time that can last for 14 days straight.

Reliable Care For Migraines and Headaches

Time and again, migraines have been linked to a misalignment in the upper cervical spine’s top bones. We are talking specifically of the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae. If one of these vertebrae shifts out of position, the brainstem suffers from pressure. As a result, the transmission of wrong signals to the brain happens inevitably, leading to migraines and other types of headaches.

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on correcting the misalignment precisely and gently. Upper cervical chiropractors use a proper and low-force method that encourages the misaligned bones to return to their original alignment. Our safe and natural technique helps the adjustment to hold in place longer. Thus, numerous patients report delight in experiencing long-term relief from migraines and other types of headaches.

To schedule a complimentary consultation, call our Kissimmee office at 407-846-9355, or you can also click one of the buttons below.

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If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.