BLOOMINGTON – From an annoyance to a debilitating pain, headaches and migraines can affect people on a wide spectrum. They have their individual characteristics and may need to be addressed differently.
Learn more in the Q&A below from Cassandra Dishman-Kessler, DO, IU Health Primary Care – Bloomington physician.
Symptoms
Normal headaches are typically a pressure-type sensation. They more commonly affect the whole head, behind the eyes, or the back of the neck. They’re more achy—more like an annoyance.
Migraines really affect people’s quality of life. They are more sudden and severe than headaches and can last for hours or even days. Commonly, they’re on one side of the head or one part of the head. Migraine pain can feel like a throbbing, pulsing, or stabbing sensation. Some people get nauseated and can even vomit.
Triggers
Common triggers—things that can cause a headache or migraine—include poor or lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, illness, seasonal changes, barometric pressure, allergies, and certain foods and drinks.
Dietary triggers can vary for each person, and identifying and avoiding the food(s) and/or drink(s) at fault can be a big help. Chocolate and alcohol are two well-known dietary triggers to consider.
Some health issues, medications, and genetics may also increase the risk of headaches and migraines. In these cases, working with a primary care provider can be a big help in finding the right treatment.
Treatments
Many people can manage headaches and migraines with:
- Lifestyle changes (improving sleep habits, diet, etc)
- Over-the-counter medications
- Sleeping
- Hydrating
While caffeine isn’t optimal, it can help with both headaches and migraines. Placing a cold compress on the neck, forehead, temples, or eyes for 15 to 20 minutes at a time can also help.
Migraines can be made worse by bright lights and ambient noise, so going into a dark, quiet room may provide relief.
Common misconceptions
Coming from a primary care doctor, a lot of people think migraines require a neurologist or specialist for treatment. The majority of migraine management happens first in the primary care office, and primary care providers can help connect patients to specialists if they require a higher level of care.
Another misconception is that headaches and migraines are the same thing. Some people don’t understand how life-limiting migraines can be.
When to get medical help
Some signs someone may need to speak with a doctor include:
- If regular treatments don’t work
- Headaches or migraines occur too often or are too severe
- If the person’s quality of life is negatively affected
- If the pain lasts more than three days
There are medical options that can help as needed or as a preventative, and a physician can help identify if and when these tools should be utilized.
Individuals should go to the Emergency department if their migraine or headache symptoms are beyond their normal pattern. This can include vision changes (no vision, blurred vision, etc), inability to stop vomiting, physical weakness, loss of sensation—symptoms that aren’t typical.
These symptoms could be signals of more severe health concerns, such as a stroke, which need immediate medical attention.
