Is it Migraine – Or Something Else?
Identifying and Treating Migraine
Migraine is not just a headache – a statement which many migraine sufferers would totally agree with. Migraine is a different disorder with different symptoms and different treatment approaches compared to ordinary headaches. *The American Migraine Foundation estimates that at least 36 million Americans suffer from migraines, but most probably the number is likely to much higher because many people with migraines do not get a formal diagnosis or treatment from a migraine specialist.
So, how can you tell if your head pain is actually a migraine? If you answer yes to two or more of these features below, it may quite possibly be migraine and you should think about seeking the help of a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
- Your head pain is severe and intense — hard to endure, and maybe unbearable
- Your head pain causes throbbing sensations, often on one side of your head
- You experience nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, noise, and odors
- Your head pain gets worse with physical activity or any movement
- Your head pain is severe enough to make you miss work or other activities
- Your head pain keeps you from being at your best and disrupts your routine
- Your head pain lasts a long time — anywhere from 4 hours to several days
The characteristics of migraine, like those mentioned above, make it different than other type of headache.
Characteristics
One of the more common characteristics people talk about with migraines is an aura, the most common of which includes flashes of light, blind spots, shapes, or bright spots. However, some people who experience an aura will have blurred vision or even lose their vision. Typically, aura occurs before the head pain begins. Nevertheless, most people who suffer from migraine do not experience auras.
Types of Migraine
Depending on the frequency, some people may suffer from Chronic Migraine or Episodic Migraine. People with Chronic Migraine experience headaches more than 15 days per month, while people with Episodic Migraine experience a headache fewer days per month. It is interesting to note that migraine occurs more often in women than men, and also that migraine attacks can be triggered by many factors. Common migraine triggers include stress, certain foods or skipping meals, sleeping too much or too little, changes in weather or barometric pressure, hormonal changes in women, concussions and traumatic brain injuries. *There is evidence that migraine is hereditary or genetic since it often runs in families.
Whichever type of migraine you find yourself dealing with, not only is there treatment through medication, but there are also many natural migraine remedies that can help you prevent, minimize and obtain relief from your migraine. Check out my eBook, “The Ultimate Migraine Handbook. An Holistic Approach to Migraine Relief,” available on my Website. ==>CLICK HERE<== My book is also available in paperback – you can email me for information at lwadsworth@verizon.net. You can also find my book on Amazon to download for Kindle, ==>CLICK HERE<==. Also, check out my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/holistichealthandwellnessllc where you will find daily migraine and health tips.
If you would like to schedule a FREE 30-Minute breakthrough strategy session with me to talk about how you can find help with your migraine headaches, please >CLICK HERE< and click on the pop-up to schedule.
*American Migraine Foundation