Migrane vs. headache?

Question

What is the difference between a migrane and a regular headache. I think I have had a migrane before. It happened twice where my vision was weird, like when it's dark out and you look directly into a light and then look away and you still see the light. It was something like that. Blurry in spots so that I couldn't read. When my vision returned to normal I got a horrible headache that lasted for like 2 hours. Also what causes a migrane? Can allergies cause migranes? I think I may be getting one now.

This time I got the headache before and with little vision disturbance. But let me tell you, making it through dinner was tough. And I am TERRIFIED of throwing up, i'm emetophobic, so please if there is anything I can do to prevent vomiting let me know.

Answer 1

Migraines have a completely different etiology than the usual headache. The reasons for migraines are still unknown; there is some research that indicates that there is a slight abnormality in the brain stem of migraine sufferers. What you experienced was an "aura," which is actually a good thing, for reasons I'll explain below. If you're experiencing pain on only one side of the head only following the aura, then you almost certainly have migraines. If it's on both sides of your head or face, then chances are you are dealing with sinus or tension headaches.

Allergies can cause sinusoidal swelling, which in turn can trigger migraines, but allergies themselves are not believed to cause migraines; they're more of an aggravating factor. For most people, the only thing that REALLY stops a migraine is sleep; that's another indicator that it's a question of brain function and a possible abnormality, and the reason that sleep helps is still not fully understood.

Many people benefit from one of the prescription migraine medications like Imitrex. They work best for people who have an "aura" such as your visual disturbances, and thus have some warning that a headache is imminent. For those who do not experience an aura, they simply have to take the medication as soon as possible after the onset of the headache.

If you experience migraines, the best treatment short of prescription medication is to try to get to sleep; if you can be in a cool, dark, room, it may help even if you can't sleep. Many women experience migraines just prior to their menstrual periods; if this is the case for you, talk to your doctor about going on birth control pills that will allow you to have only four periods a year (such as Seasonale); it won't make the migraines any better, but at least you won't have them as often.

Answer 2

It looks like a migraine. Migraines are often triggered by other types of headaches. My allergies sometimes cause my sinuses to clog, which leads to a sinus headache that sometimes morphs into a migraine. The cause of migraines is a little mysterious, but it appears to be some complex neurological mechanism.

Answer 3

Hi,
Well you have 3 good answers, but a thing that I know is that allergies doesn't cause migraines, there is no way that it happens.

Answer 4

Hi,

I have had migraines since a brain injury 3 years ago.

I get about 20+ a month WITH preventative therapies, but, that decreases the severities of most of them down to about a 3 on 10, so....I can function...from a 8-9 on 10.

So, unfortunately, I am WAY too familiar with migraines.

ok, yes, it sounds like what you described was a migraine. There are many kinds of migraines...classic and common---one has an aura, one doesn't---normally, I would tell you which was which, but, I have had a migraine today, and I am still feeling off. What you described sounds like the aura though....what happens in the beginning stage.

ALLERGIES...can sorta cause migraines....but, more specifically---SINUSES can. AND, since ALLERGIES affect your SINUSES, then yes, they can cause migraines.

BUT....here is the FLIP side to that. MIGRAINES can cause SINUS SYMPTOMS. (bummer isn't it!!) :)

Migraines being SORTA vascular can affect the sinus cavities, creating a change in pressure, causing them to well...react. My sister suffers from chronic sinus problems....she has sinus causing migraines frequently. I mostly have allergies and migraines. Currently, I have fluid in my ears with a bit of fluid in my lower sinuses (at the bottom of my nose, just above my upper jaw), so, the migraines have been a bit of a TRIP---literally---spinning.

There are MANY websites that can describe migraines and their symptoms better.

there are some GREAT medications out there...but, not all work for everyone. If you try the TRIPTAN class of drugs *(imitrex, zomig, maxalt, relpax, ect) be aware, that ONE may not work, TWO may not work but ONE may be the ONE for you.....ALSO, there are 3 forms of IMITREX...nasal mist, pill, and shot. I only did the pill and then the shot. The pill did NOTHING for the migraine but made me SO SLEEPY and I woke up with the SAME MIGRAINE. The shot didn't make me sleepy at all, but, I had the reaction they forwarn about....the "tightness", but, it wasn't in the chest or throat...it was in my "brain". It also made my migraine GONE in 45 minutes, but felt like it RUSHED it through on FAST FORWARD....really weird sensation.

Unfortunately, the triptans weren't for me, but, they ARE a great help to many people....the RIGHT people.

I am currently on the OLD CLASS of migraine meds, which I take a "cocktail" of....2 fioricet, and 1 midrin, with 2 hydroxizine. This gives me 1000 mg of tylenol (the max dose) with a few other substances, and the hydroxazine is an antiallergy medication that also helps with the over sensitivity to things, and the nausea all together. This usually either gets rid of the migraine completely, or dulls it to where I can function. I don't drive on this medication AT ALL when I take it, but....when I have a migraine, my senses/reflexes are dulled.

I also get some "funny" neurological symptoms and signs sometimes DURING or before my migraine. Sometimes, I get facial droop on one side, sometimes I get a "numbness" in my nose that makes it feel like it isn't mine (I have only heard of one other person that had this....and that was recently when my doc told me that she had another patient that told her that.....I have said it for 2 years now), and I get CLUMSY without even taking my medicine....I drop things, trip over my feet, can't type, can't spell, sometimes, can't get the right words out. Also, I have noticed that I will be in slow motion....but, I don't exactly NOTICE this....others do, or if I WAS driving when it came on, or before it came on....I am driving too slow....like BELOW the speed limit.

As for what causes migraines:
allergies/sinuses
food triggers
smells
chemicals (could be smells)
flickering sunlight/glare or computers/flouresent lights
not enough sleep
too much sleep
missed meal
wine/beer/alcohol
cheese--particularly aged cheeses
some medications
over use of pain medications
chocolate--- (NO!! This cant' be TRUE!! )
apartame ---aka nurtasweet--only in sensitive individuals
splenda--only in sensitive individuals
food preservatives
stress---good, or bad
LET down following stress (such as the day or just after holiday company leaves)
weather changes
heat/humidity
being over heated
birth control pills

these are just ones from memory.....each person is VERY different. Also, each MIGRAINE can be different. I usually do not get nausea with mine---but, I have a high tolerance to nausea. I DO SOMETIMES get REALLY NAUSEAS....and when I do, I usually do not vomit....but, my migraine is usually at it's worst. EVERY motion, every sound, I am on edge.

Also, when I get mine.....I get restless....I can't sleep, so sleeping off a migraine, which most people try to do, isn't an option for me. But, mine are from a brain injury, and since my brain injury, I get problems sleeping...so, that could be part of it.

For me, a FAST trigger is the SMELL of ANY citrus cleaning or citrus SCENTED product. REAL CITRUS FRUIT is fine (lemons, oranges, ect). ALSO, Walmart and their updated SQUARE flickering high efficiency lights in boxes on the ceilings with no carpeting.....just about 10 minutes....before BAM!! super migraine, and i cannot remember WHY I am there, and I am moving in slow motion......Home Depot and Lowes does it too (but, they are all new stores in my area, built about the same way).

Also, I mentioned BIRTH CONTROL PILLS in the list. If you are on some migraine medications OR if you have frequent enough migraines, you neurologist (not your GYNO) should be the one to determine if you are a candidate for them (actually, this includes the pill, shot, rods, patch, ring, IUD, or any other form they come out with), as they can increase your risk of a stroke. MIGRAINES ITSELF can increase your risk of a STROKE AND HEART ATTACK particularly if you have AURA's. A lot of gyno's unfortunately are not well versed in migraines (which I can understand, as that is not their job) so they do not always KNOW the connection. My gyno wanted to do this with me, and my neurologist said NO!! absolutely not....and, it wasn't like it was my only option OR the best option for me anyway.


Hope this more than helped. If you just type in migraine under google, you should get ALOT of info. EACH of the triptan medications has a migraine website that explaines ALOT about migraines. Also MIDAS does too....it is a website about migraines and disability ect, but, i find it confusing sometimes to navigate.


Good luck.

ADDITIONAL----for nausea, you can ask your doctor for some REGLAN, OR, you can try pepto when you are really nauseas otherwise. Cimetadine may help if you don't have either---it reduces your stomach acid, but, you can't take it with caffiene containing substances. You may be able to take PEPCID (or it's generic). Cimetadine works on the Histamine-2 receptors, so, similar to benedry, but, slightly different side of the equation. Or, you could try motion sickness mediction (dramamine, or bonine). These work similar to benedryl and meclizine (I am a paramedic before my head injury, and was getting ready to attend Pharmacy School to be a pharmacist).

Good luck to you again.