It can be challenging to differentiate between a headache and a migraine while you’re encountering an elevated degree of pain and pressure in your head. Separating a headache from a migraine and the other way around is important. It can mean quicker alleviation and timely treatment, and assistance in preventing the occurrence of future headaches or migraine attacks. Read about the distinctions between headaches and migraines and their types and symptoms in this article. What is a headache? Headaches are among the most widely recognized kinds of aggravation that individuals experience. The pain ranges from mild to severe and happens on both sides of your head. Headaches can last between 30 minutes to a week. There is a wide range of headaches; they can be separated into two general classifications. Primary headache disorder occurs in the absence of any other illness or condition. Tension-type, cluster, and hemicrania are some common types. Secondary headache disorder happens when the headaches are side effects of different circumstances like colds, flu, influenza, tumors, among others, or are indications of various illnesses. What is a migraine? Migraine produces a more extensive scope of side effects than headaches and lasts somewhere in the range of four hours to a few days.

Migraines are headaches usually accompanied by symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light. Although the throbbing pain is persistent on one side of the head, it can vary in intensity and can be quite abrupt. These headaches should not be ignored, as intense migraines can affect cognitive function and simultaneously increase neurological health complications. Here are five noticeable signs that require active medical intervention to manage the symptoms. Noticeable changes in frequency and intensity If one notices abrupt changes in the intensity of pain, it should be checked. For example, if migraine headaches that were persistent in the morning have now unexpectedly changed frequency and timing without any significant changes in routine, it should be reported. These unexplained changes could be triggered by developing neurological disorders that can only be confirmed with tests. The thunderclap headache These headaches occur out of nowhere and develop with an intensity that can cause someone immense pain. There is no warning, and the pain develops within a matter of seconds. Immediate medical attention is necessary as soon as the first symptom is felt. In rare cases, it could be a sign of internal bleeding due to an aneurysm or hemorrhaging. Strokes and head trauma are also known causes that trigger this sudden uncontrollable pain.

A migraine is a complex neurological disorder that causes moderate to severe pain—usually on one side of the head—throbbing or pulsing. Migraine sufferers experience a range of other symptoms that can vary across individuals. Many people who have bad eyesight often wonder whether not wearing their prescription glasses or contacts can trigger a migraine headache. This article answers that critical question and explains the relationship between eyesight and migraine. Ocular migraines Migraines can affect eyesight. In fact, there’s a medical term for that, ocular migraine. This is a form of severe headache that is accompanied by temporary vision changes, such as seeing flashes of light, zigzagging patterns, blind spots, and shimmering spots or stars. These symptoms are collectively referred to as migraine aura. There are mainly two types of ocular migraines: migraine with aura and retinal migraine. The former impairs vision and can make an individual see flashing lights, stars, patterns, or blind spots, while the latter causes bad eyesight in only one eye and is usually characterized by decreased vision and flashing lights. There are many risk factors for ocular migraines, such as genetics, hormone imbalances, weather changes, and certain odors. Does poor eyesight trigger migraine? Refractive errors, such as astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia, or presbyopia, don’t directly cause or trigger a migraine, whether ocular or other types.

Migraines lead to a stinging sensation on one side of the head. In most cases, you may experience what is known as the postdrome. It’s the last stage of a migraine, where the pain finally subsides but leaves you exhausted. This phase can last between a couple of hours to a few days, based on your lifestyle. Whether during a migraine attack or after, avoid doing the following things to manage the condition. Don’t oversleep or sleep too little The amount of sleep you get can influence a migraine. You must sleep for at least seven to eight hours a night. Oversleeping can trigger migraine headaches. If you get enough sleep but still feel lethargic on waking up, or cannot sleep, it could be a sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnea. See a doctor immediately to get the necessary treatment. Don’t drink too much caffeine While caffeine works as a remedy for migraines, having too much can trigger migraines and their symptoms. It can also result in rebound headaches and lead to other health problems. So, reduce caffeine intake, especially if you’re susceptible to migraines. Don’t eat processed and cured meat Foods that are processed or cured, including sausages, ham, and bacon, are abundant in nitrites and nitrates.

Headaches are a widespread health issue and can have underlying causes or result from stress or dehydration. Either way, it is a debilitating condition and can affect a person’s day-to-day functioning. There are many treatments for headaches. But, for those who suffer from them constantly, opting for prescription treatments may not be the safest solution. Instead, they can opt for some varied and unusual home remedies for headaches. Read on below to know more. 5 easy natural ways to get rid of a headache Get rid of any pressure One of the easiest ways to tackle a bad headache is to get rid of all the physical pressure on your head. Avoid tying a tight ponytail or bun and wearing ill-fitted hats for too long. In many cases, external pressure can be the cause of your headache. So, getting rid of it could provide some instant relief and even help with migraine headaches. Take a hot shower Another unusual method for getting rid of your headache effectively is taking a hot bath or shower. A lukewarm or hot water bath can promote circulation and ease muscle tension in your neck and back. This can help release some of the pressure in the head and ease your headache, migraines, and sinuses.

Migraine headaches cause a pulsating pain that is usually accompanied by nausea. Such issues can make focusing on work or chores quite cumbersome. This condition is also associated with light sensitivity, as brightness from lights and screens could be unbearable. This article highlights the types of migraines that have such an effect. Migraine with aura Aura is a symptom characterized by temporary vision impairment during or before migraines. Other symptoms that occur in this type of migraine include zig-zag patterns and patches of light. Along with vision-related issues, the aura may be responsible for triggering symptoms like the sensation of pins and needles and weakness or numbness on one side of the body. These symptoms build up gradually and may last for around an hour. Ocular migraine Visual, retinal, ophthalmic, or ocular migraine normally affects just one of the eyes. The general symptoms of this type of migraine are much akin to those of migraine with aura. Temporary vision loss and blindness in one eye are salient to this condition. Steps to take during visual disturbances In case you’re out shopping, at work, or driving, it is best to find a safe spot to relax and take deep breaths. This step will help you calm down and phase out the migraine symptoms that trigger issues with eyesight.

Statistics suggest that more than 30% of the country’s population fails to get quality sleep. This could be due to poor lifestyle choices. Improvement in these lifestyle choices may include avoiding stimulants and switching to branded mattresses. However, at times even mattresses from Tempur-Pedic, Saatva, Sleep Number, Serta Mattress, and Essentia Mattress may not be enough to improve sleep quality. To improve your sleeping patterns, here are some mistakes you should be avoiding: Habits to avoid before going to bed for better sleep Using electronic devices Modern lifestyles require the constant use of electronic gadgets. Unfortunately, phones, iPads, laptops, and even televisions emit blue light, which reduces the production of sleep hormone when it falls on the retina. Although you can install a blue light filter on most devices, it still adversely affects melatonin production. Switch out staring at your phone to reading or meditating to improve sleep quality. Indulging in stimulants Consuming caffeinated beverages or other harmful stimulants can disrupt sleep. While sweets may promote sleep, eating chocolate that contains high amount of caffeine may make it difficult to fall asleep. Although dark chocolate has its benefits, sleep experts recommend consuming it and caffeinated beverages at least four to six hours before bedtime.

It is crucial for all individuals to build and maintain healthy bones from an early age. To do so, one needs to ensure sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D. Weak bones can lead to conditions like rickets or osteoporosis, which can threaten one’s mobility. Hence, it is important to have certain nutrients and make some lifestyle changes to decrease the risk of bone density loss. Accordingly, here are five ways to maintain healthy bones. 5 tips to ensure good bone health Boost calcium consumption Calcium is a mineral that is fundamental for improving teeth and bone health. It is also significant for muscle function, nerve signaling, hormone secretion, and blood pressure regulation. Dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cottage cheese are major sources of calcium. Collard greens, kale, and bok choy also contain a good amount of calcium. Increase vitamin D intake Vitamin D is a fat-soluble element that forms on your skin after it’s exposed to the sun’s rays. It helps calcium absorption and bone cell functions. Fatty fish like salmon, swordfish, salmon, tuna, and rainbow trout are excellent sources of vitamin D. Other foods include oranges, lemons, tomatoes, kiwis, and red peppers. One can also have egg yolks, beef liver, pork, or cheese to increase their vitamin D levels.