• Login
  • Contact
  • COVID-19
  • Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
MedcorMedcorMedcorMedcor
  • About
    • Medcor Health Navigation
    • Leadership
    • Wellness
    • Mission, Vision and Values
  • Services
    • Clinics
    • Telehealth
    • Safety
    • Health Security
  • Resources
    • Health Tips
    • Insights
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Culture
    • Equal Employment and Diversity

Is it a Migraine Headache?

    Home Health Tips Is it a Migraine Headache?
    Next Previous
    Is it a Migraine Headache

    Is it a Migraine Headache?

    By Ahna A. Patterson, PA-C | Comments are Closed | 17 June, 2020 0

    What is a migraine headache and how does it differ from a tension-type headache?

    Migraines

    Migraine headaches are characterized by chronic throbbing headaches often associated with visual or sensory sensitivities. Some people may also have auras. Symptoms of migraines include the following:

    • Throbbing or pulsating pain typically on one side of the head
    • Pain that can occur around the eye or anywhere along head or neck
    • Gradual pain that develops over one to two hours
    • Nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness
    • Sensitivity to light and sound

    An aura is a sensory disturbance that precedes the onset of a migraine or that can accompany migraines. Auras are often visual, sensory, or motor disturbances such as:

    • Tingling along one limb or one side of the face.
    • A bright spot in one’s visual field temporary loss of vision in one area, zigzag lines in one’s visual field, or geometric shapes seen within one’s visual field.

    Emotional stress, menstruation, sleep disturbances, not eating, weather changes, odors, lights, and alcohol intake have all been identified as possible triggers of migraine headaches.

    Tension Headaches

    Tension-type headaches, by comparison, can be chronic but are most commonly episodic. Symptoms generally include:

    • Mild-to-moderate headache pain described as: dull, pressure, head fullness, band-like, or a tight cap around the head.
    • Pain that is usually present on both sides of the head, and is not pulsating or throbbing

    Triggers for tension-type headaches include stress, computer/device eye strain, caffeine, alcohol, dehydration, fatigue, and poor posture.

    Tension-type headaches most often resolve with the help of over-the-counter pain relievers such as anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. Stress management, healthy lifestyles, and improved posture can all help decrease the occurrence of tension-type headaches.

    Migraines can be relieved with over-the-counter medications but may also require a range of prescription medications for relief and prevention of symptoms. Relaxation techniques, maintaining eating and sleeping routines, and staying hydrated may also be helpful.

    Sometimes headaches are warning signs of other underlying health conditions, like brain tumors, aneurysms, and strokes. Concerning symptoms include: sudden onset of headache pain (“thunderclap”), fever, loss of consciousness or confusion, slurred speech, changes in the frequency or severity of headache symptoms, and any sudden onset of headache symptoms in adults over 50.

    These concerning symptoms may warrant further evaluation with an MRI or cat scan.  Always seek medical guidance from your healthcare provider.

    This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or to give medical advice. Always consult your primary care provider for healthcare instructions. External links are provided as references and do not indicate an endorsement by Medcor. External links are subject to other sites’ terms of use and privacy policies.

    References

    R. Joshua Wootton, Franz J Wippold II, Mark A. Whealy, “Evaluation of headache in adults,” UptoDate, updated April 6, 2020.

    Frederick R Taylor, “Tension-type headache in adults: Pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnosis,” UptoDate, updated November 17, 2018.

    Jonathan H Smith, “Acute treatment of migraine in adults,” UptoDate, updated April 7, 2020.

    F. Michael Cutrer, “Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of migraine in adults,” UptoDate, updated November 15, 2019.

    Valencia Higeura and Kristeen Cherney, “Tension Headaches,” Healthline, September 26, 2019.

    Mayo Clinic, “Tension Headache.”

    Mayo Clinic, “Migraine.”

    Mayo Clinic, “Migraine with Aura.”

    Authored by: Ahna Patterson

    Share
    headache, menstruation, migraine, nausea, stress

    Ahna A. Patterson, PA-C

    More posts by Ahna A. Patterson, PA-C

    Related Post

    • The Dangers of Concrete Burns

      The Dangers of Concrete Burns

      By Thomas Eiseman

      Dr. Thomas Eiseman from Clinical Affairs talks with Christian “Crash” Neubauer, a Clinic Manager about the dangers of concrete burns experienced by construction workers.

      Share

    • Does Your Company Use Ladders Last?

      Use Ladders Last!

      By Danielle Olipra

      The “Ladders Last” program is a program built to prevent falls and save lives by reducing the use of ladders overall, and education on ladder safety for when you do need a ladder.

      Share

    • Decompression Sickness

      Decompression Sickness

      By Kristen Tekin, PA-C, Medcor Provider

      Decompression sickness (DCS) can occur anytime someone transitions too suddenly from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.

      Share

    • June is National Safety Month

      June is National Safety Month

      By Danielle Olipra

      June is National Safety Month, and Medcor is thinking about all the hard workers we support with safety services. Read about National Safety Month, learn about workplace injuries, and see how you can make a difference and stay safe at work.

      Share

    • Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Health

      Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Health

      By Danielle Olipra

      Mindfulness and meditation are two practices that anyone can use to improve their mood and outlook.

      Share

    NextPrevious

    Health Tip Updates

    Recent Posts

    • The Dangers of Concrete Burns
    • Use Ladders Last!
    • Decompression Sickness
    • June is National Safety Month
    • Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Health
    Medcor
    Medcor provides health navigation through integrated services that include onsite and mobile clinics, injury triage, telemedicine, and safety staffing and training. Medcor helps employers and their employees navigate the complexities of healthcare to achieve better physical and financial outcomes across the United States and Canada.

    Recent Health Tips

    • The Dangers of Concrete BurnsThe Dangers of Concrete Burns
      June 23, 2022
    • Does Your Company Use Ladders Last?Use Ladders Last!
      June 15, 2022
    • Decompression SicknessDecompression Sickness
      June 8, 2022

    Insights

    • Medcor Mobile ClinicMedcor Brings Mobile Clinic to Gardiner, Montana
      June 28, 2022
    • Zero ToleranceZero Tolerance: A Failed Paradigm
      February 24, 2022
    • Work-from-Home Ergonomic Considerations for EmployersWork-from-Home Ergonomic Considerations for Employers
      November 9, 2021

    Contact Us

    HQ Location
    4805 Prime Parkway
    McHenry, IL 60050

    Postal Address
    P.O. Box 550
    McHenry, IL 60051

    Call

    HQ: (815) 363-9500
    Sales: (888) 295-5180
    Media: (815) 759-5442

    Email

    Sales: sales@medcorhealth.com
    Job Inquiry: recruiters@medcorhealth.com
    Media: media@medcorhealth.com
    Website Manager: websupport@medcorhealth.com
    Copyright©2022 Medcor, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices: Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, Terms of Use & Privacy | English Spanish. Healthcare Privacy Policy | EnglishSpanish
    • About
      • Medcor Health Navigation
      • Leadership
      • Wellness
        • Eat Real Food
        • Get Your Sleep
        • Handle Your Hygiene
        • Mind Your Happiness
      • Mission, Vision and Values
    • Services
      • Clinics
      • Telehealth
      • Safety
      • Health Security
    • Resources
      • Health Tips
      • Insights
      • Technology
    • Contact
      • Existing Customer Services
      • General Information
      • Job Inquiries
      • Media & Public Relations
    • Careers
      • Culture
      • Equal Employment and Diversity
      • Interview and Hiring Process FAQs
      • Apply
    • COVID-19
    Medcor