The migraine and the headache They may sound similar but they are not the same. Many times they get confused believing that if we have one, therefore we have the other, but it is not like that as a rule. Many patients suffering from the disease do not seek medical attention and choose to self-medicate, which further complicates the picture. Therefore, it is important to know how to recognize the symptoms and be able to explain them to a doctor.
Migraine affects 1 in 5 women and is a genetic disease, therefore, if one has a migraine, their children have a 50% chance of having it. Likewise, there may be a genetic alteration that causes a person to have the disease without anyone else in their family having it.
The doctor of the Mayo ClinicAmaal Starling, specializes in Headaches primary and secondary including migraines Y Headaches post trauma. The specialist explains that headache is a symptom like a sore throat and it is correct to say that it is the primary symptom of migrainebut it is not necessarily migraine. Although the headache Whether the discomfort historically related to this neurological disease is not the only one.
How to distinguish migraine from headache?
Dr. Starling explains that there are 3 “steps” to recognizing the migraine.
- The first thing is to understand that headache Y migraine they are not synonyms. The latter has more symptoms than headache.
- The symptoms that usually accompany a headache are dizziness, light bothering your eyes, feeling sick to your stomach, confusion and even numbness or weakness in any part of the body, which could be an indication of a stroke and you should go to a guard.
- There are 3 key questions to identify the migraineif the answer is yes to 2 of them, it is recommended to visit a doctor:
- do you have Headaches that make it impossible for you to continue with your daily activities?
- when you have headacheWould you rather be in a room with the lights off?
- When you have a headache, do you also feel nauseous or lose your appetite?
When do I go to the emergency room?
Whenever we present any of the aforementioned symptoms, we must be seen by a professional. Now the question is, when do I know I need urgent care? Dr. Starling recommends to the 3 risk groups that when they present some of the symptoms already described, they go to the emergency room. The risk groups are: children under 12 years old, adults over 50 years old and pregnant women.
How to prevent migraine
As the doctor explained, the migraine it is a genetic and hereditary disease, even so, a mutation that causes it can also occur. Therefore, for those people who do not have migraine chronic (more than 15 episodes per month) and for those who want to prevent it, what is recommended is to lead a healthy life. In other words, before taking medication, it is recommended to exercise daily, eat healthy and have good sleep hygiene. The sleep factor is very important because it determines our routine and the way we face the day.
who already have migraine –and so that it does not become chronic, they must also maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid self-medication. The incorrect use of medicines can not only trigger a migraine chronic and acute but also cause cardiological, renal and stomach complications. They can also develop comorbidities such as depression and obesity.