How to differentiate a migraine from other headaches

According to a recent study by the Spanish Neurology Society, approximately 13% of the adult population in Spain suffers from migraines. This is the equivalent of over 5 million people. It is also the primary headache (that is to say, a headache without any other subjacent cause) for which most patients visit their doctor. The most frequent headache, however, is the tension headache and one of its most common causes is stress.
 

Migraine, tension headache and other headaches

Leading a stressful, sedentary life with little rest can have a significant impact on our health, increasing the risk of suffering from cardiac disease and sleep disorders, as well as producing mood swings. These habits are the same ones that can cause intense headaches: excessive use of screens, a common evil in today’s society, is the main culprit, particularly when accompanied by bad posture, visual fatigue or lack of sleep. 

“Today’s lifestyle habits can act as triggers or factors that worsen the headaches in susceptible people,” according to María Payá Montes, a neurologist specialising in cerebrovascular pathology and headaches at the Hospital General Universitario de Albacete and the Clinica HLA El Rosario. “For this reason, we insist on the importance of looking after your sleep, maintaining regular hours, reducing stress and taking breaks when working with screens, particularly for those who already suffer from headaches.”

Suffering from headaches, however, can also be a sign of another disease. Secondary headaches, which generally appear as a result of infections, vascular problems, cervical disorder, tumours or excessive consumption of medicines, must be suitably evaluated to identify and treat the reason behind them.

So, when should we visit the doctor? Payá Montes recommends using common sense. For slight headaches, “resting in a peaceful environment, drinking enough water, avoiding screens or sleeping for a short time” is usually enough. On the other hand, “if the symptoms are intense and sudden, you should go to an emergency service,” she affirms. If the pain is recurrent and it does not get better after a first evaluation by your family practitioner, a neurologist must make the diagnosis.

Medications such as analgesics or triptans are used to relieve the pain in primary headaches, although we should always follow the specialist’s indications. Craneal physiotherapy may also improve patients’ quality of life, while there are preventive treatments to reduce the frequency and intensity of the migraines.

When the pain becomes incapacitating

Headaches are the sixth cause of disability in the world. 20% of Spanish patients with migraine have a severe disability. Additionally, it is particularly incapacitating in young and middle-aged women, who are more likely to suffer from the disease due to hormonal and social factors.

“Living with migraines means adapting to a disorder that cannot always be seen, but that can seriously affect the person’s daily life,” Payá Montes affirms. “Those who suffer from it refer to an average loss of over 35% of their productivity and frequent absences or a drop in work yield.” Added to the pain is the emotional impact of the disease and the uncertainty of not knowing when a new crisis will appear.