Nearly everyone has experienced the pain of pesky headache at some point in time. It can be a dull, aching pain focused in one area, or a sensation of pressure around the entire head. Headaches can occur due to stress, dehydration, or other common issues, but the good news is that the pain of a headache is typically manageable and short-lived. A migraine, however, is a debilitating condition that over 36 million Americans experience. Do you know the difference between the two conditions?
Symptoms
A migraine presents itself much more aggressively than a headache. The pain of a migraine typically usually just one side of the head, and those who suffer from migraines often describe the condition as a unrelenting, throbbing pain. Migraines don’t just affect the head, either; a migraine episode may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, pain behind the eye or ear, sensitivity to light and sound, and even noticeable changes in vision. These changes in vision can ranging from seeing spots or flashing lights to temporary vision loss. The symptoms associated with a migraine can last for several days and be so severe that they disrupt everyday tasks, whereas a headache is typically just a nuisance that is dealt with while going about the day’s activities and goes away after a few hours.
Treatment
Over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can usually take care of a headache in no time for most individuals, but unfortunately, migraines don’t usually go away so easily. If over-the-counter medications don’t provide relief, prescription drugs aimed at either prevention or treatment may help and are often recommended by health professionals. Home remedies may provide some relief, too, such as laying down in a dark room, maintaining proper hydration, and applying a hot or cold compress to the forehead or back of the neck. Most individuals who suffer from migraines have to go through trial and error to determine what works best for them, as everyone is different.
Join a Migraine Clinical Trial with Pharmasite Research
If you are living with migraines, learn more today about participating in a clinical trial at Pharmasite Research in Pikesville, MD. You may be eligible to receive treatment at no cost to you and contribute to the advancement of medical research!