Migraine affects approximately 12% of the population and is a leading cause of disability. Many people suffer because they don’t realize their headaches are migraines that could be treated.
To help people understand the difference, WellTuned spoke with Dr. Bertram Prosser, a medical director at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
“Migraines usually cause throbbing pain, often on one side of the head,” Dr. Prosser says. “They may also come with nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.”
Understanding the difference between a migraine and a headache
Dr. Prosser: Tension headaches are more likely to cause dull pain on both sides of the head. Headaches that last several hours to a few days, get worse with activity, or come with vision changes may be a migraine.
Common migraine triggers
Dr. Prosser: Some common migraine triggers include stress, hormonal changes, sleep problems and dehydration. Dietary migraine triggers can include caffeine, alcohol, aged cheeses and processed foods. Environmental triggers include bright lights, strong odors or loud noise.
When to consider medical evaluation
Dr. Prosser: People should consider seeing a doctor if their headaches are frequent, severe, getting worse over time, or interfering with daily life.
New headaches with unusual symptoms or neurologic changes may need immediate medical attention. This is also true for headaches with long-lasting auras or one-sided weaknesses.
Immediate medical attention is recommended for new headaches with concerning features, including confusion, vision loss or double vision, difficulty speaking, imbalance, fainting, fever, or a “worst headache of your life.”
Urgent evaluation may also be appropriate for any headache – whether new or pre-existing– associated with atypical symptoms. This includes headaches with prolonged aura which are neurologic symptoms such as visual changes, numbness/tingling, or speech difficulty lasting longer than typical — usually longer than 60 minutes. It also includes new one-sided weakness which may indicate possible stroke rather than typical migraine.
If your headache is diagnosed as a migraine, treatment may include acute therapies, those which are taken at the onset of a migraine to stop its progression, and preventive medications to reduce migraine frequency and severity, depending on your diagnosis and clinical circumstances.
Keeping a headache diary can help your provider determine the best treatment. Track when headaches occur, how long they last, pain intensity, and other associated symptoms. Also note triggers like certain foods, stress or sleep changes. This information can help health care providers evaluate symptoms and make a diagnosis. Migraine tracking apps can help also.
“If headaches keep coming back and disrupt daily life, don’t just accept them as normal,” Dr. Prosser says. “Many treatment options are available once you get the right diagnosis.”
More from Dr. Prosser on WellTuned
Get more information about specific health terms, topics and conditions to better manage your health on bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can access wellness-related discounts on fitness products, gym memberships, healthy eating and more through Blue365®. BCBST members can also find tools and resources to help improve health and well-being by logging into BlueAccess and going to the Managing Your Health tab.