To Anyone Who Doesn’t Know What Migraines Feel Like

Like many people we see in our clinic, you may be wondering if you have migraines. We know it can be difficult to tell since migraine symptoms vary so much in range. The purpose of this article is to assist anyone who doesn’t know what migraines feel like, and shed light on the range of symptoms that are associated with migraines vs. other types of headaches.

Other Types of Headaches You May Be Experiencing

Cluster Headaches

A cluster headache is a headache that comes in cycles or clusters. Symptoms usually consist of severe pain on one side of the head, watery eyes, and nasal discharge. They can last anywhere from a couple weeks to several months. Attacks can come at predictable times or out of nowhere, triggered by a daily activity, routine or even a type of food you may have consumed. Triggers vary widely among sufferers, and can even change during different cycles.

Sinus Headaches

Sinus Headaches usually occur during sinus infections causing pain behind the eyes and sinus areas in the face which can radiate to the rest of the head. Stuffy nose, cough, congestion, and facial pressure are normally associated with this type of headache. People with chronic sinus problems can have them much more regularly and often confuse these with migraines.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache with mild to moderate pain in a person’s head normally described as pain on both sides or as a band around the head. Stress, muscle tension, and poor sleep are all causes of this type of headache.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine Headache symptoms can start days before you feel the pain, or come out of nowhere and ruin your whole day/week. Migraine headaches are intensely painful and are often set off by triggers such as specific foods & drinks, hormone changes, stress, exercise, or work activities. Migraine headaches can be completely debilitating, making you unable to get out of bed, disrupting your daily life. Many times you can feel out of control because you are unable to tell when one will start. In turn causing anxiety and instability in your life with work and friends.

Primary Migraine Symptoms

Aura

An aura is flashing lights, blind spots, or stars in your vision and normally occurs as a warning sign a migraine is coming. This does not happen for all who get migraines.

Throbbing Pain on Both Sides of your Head

This symptom is just as it sounds, intense pain on both sides of your head, usually located near the temple area.

Eye Pain

Pain usually occurs behind one eye, but can vary and occur in both. The pain can sometimes go as far back as an ear as well.

Nausea or Vomiting

Migraines can cause a systemic reaction such as Nausea or vomiting if your headache is bad enough.

Light, Sound, Smell Sensitivity

Light, sound, and smell can be extremely sensitive to someone with a migraine. Many times people with migraines want to be in a dark, quiet place where there is no chance of them smelling a cooked meal.

Other Migraine Symptoms include Speech Trouble, Double Vision, Lack of Restful Sleep, Irritability or Depression, Watery Eyes and/or a Stuffy Nose, Neck Pain, Numbness or tingling.

Get Migraine Help

If you are feeling some or all of these migraine symptoms we understand what you are going through. Migraines can be a life altering problem and make you feel hopeless and the pain can be indescribable. If you are feeling like this, Southside Pain Specialists can help you! We service Birmingham, AL and all the surrounding areas, don’t hesitate to call today and get your life back! Visit our Contact Us Page.