Pressure or pain in your head could be a headache or it could be a migraine. How do you know? A doctor experienced in the diagnosis of this health ailment is your best resource for figuring out what’s going on, why it’s happening, getting relief, and putting a stop to future episodes, if possible. June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, which is an excellent time to pursue wellness for your head if you suffer from chronic pain.
Causes of Headaches
Headaches have so many possible causes and can occur on either side of the head, forehead, temples, or back of the neck. Working with a doctor of osteopathic medicine helps in the identification of the source of headaches, especially when they are chronic, because the entire body is considered inside and out.
Some of the most common reasons tension headaches develop are tied to other health conditions such as:
- Stress
- Eye strain
- Screen time
- Dehydration
- Skipped meals
- Caffeine or alcohol
- Intense physical activity
- Insufficient sleep
- Hormonal changes
- Allergies
When Headaches Become Migraines
Headaches can be severe, painful, long-lasting, or chronic. Whether you experience cluster headaches, tension headaches, or sinus headaches, one of the biggest differences between headaches and migraine is that a headache usually lasts between five minutes and four hours. Migraines can last for days.
Migraine is a neurological disorder with the following characteristics:
- Usually occurs on one side of the head.
- Tend to be severe and intense.
- May be accompanied by an aura.
- Cause nausea and vomiting.
- Creates sensitivity to light and sound.
- Produces pain behind an eye, ear, or temple.
- Cause shoulder and neck pain or muscle aches.
- Prompts visual disturbances.
Migraines make daily life difficult to manage, often leaving sufferers to spend hours in dark rooms with no light, sound, or other distractions and only pain for company. With a correct diagnosis and awareness of triggers and subtle bodily behaviors in the days or hours prior to a migraine, it may be possible to ward off the onset of a migraine and the associated pain.
Prioritize Wellness: Get Treatment for Headache and Migraine
Lifestyle changes can make a big difference for some chronic headache sufferers. What you eat, how and when you exercise, and prioritizing a supportive sleep environment are all factors you can work on with your doctor to determine what works best for your preferences, habits, and schedule. Make an appointment with me, Dr. Maria Swetech, so we can discuss your personal health challenges and concerns.
Nothing in this blog is official medical advice. See your doctor for customized care.
