Pain in the head is one of the most common complaints among people especially in the developed world. While some people experience headaches, others encounter a more severe form of headache known as migraines. However, most people are not quite aware of the difference between them.
The key to getting the right diagnosis, and hence the right treatment, would depend on the amount of information you provide to your healthcare provider. As such, it is important not to miss out details that may seem trivial when you are seeing a doctor, such as medications or nutritional supplements that you are taking, or whether you are ‘seeing things’ (aura) prior to your headache.
Not all headaches are normal chemical reactions in the brain caused by triggering factors. Some headaches can be a sign of more serious diseases and should be checked by a doctor, sometimes immediately as they could be signs of a stroke, meningitis or encephalitis which are fatal.
Look out for these signs and seek medical advice when you or a loved one experience them when having a headache:
- Sudden and drastic headache
- Fainting
- Confusion and difficulty understanding
- Fever of 39° C to 40° C
- Numbness or weakness on one side
- Stiff neck
- Loss of vision and balance
- Slurred speech
- Trouble walking or moving arms and legs
- Nausea or vomiting
- Memory loss
- Redness in one eye
- Recent head injury
Keeping a Headache Diary
If you are having headaches or migraines frequently, having a diary to record the symptoms can help you determine the triggers so that you can avoid future attacks. They also serve as a medical history for your doctor during consultancy.
Below is an example of a headache diary. Over time, you may notice a distinctive trend in your diary postings whether in the food, hours of sleep, stress factors or emotional distress, which will help you recognise triggers and seek long-term prevention methods.
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Date |
8 April 2014 |
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Time |
7pm |
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Duration of Headache |
2 hours |
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What You Ate in Last 24 Hours |
Roti canai, banana leaf rice, fried noodles |
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Hours of Sleep The Night Before |
6 |
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Stress Factors |
Heavy rain, traffic jam |
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What Were You Doing or Thinking Before Headache |
Started PND project presentation |
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Treatment |
Painkiller, sleep |
Headache Diary Example
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Headache |
Migraine |
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Pain or discomfort in the head, scalp and neck |
Affects one side of the head, usually near the temples, forehead and eyes. Often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light |
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Most headaches are not serious and can be treated with pharmacy remedies and lifestyle changes, such as getting more rest and drinking more water |
The symptoms may last from four hours to three days if untreated. Severe migraine affects the quality of life as sufferers are unable to function as normal |
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Can be categorised into two types: |
When a migraine attack happens, patients become very sensitive to light, sound, or mild exertion, such as walking or climbing the stairs |
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Primary headaches are divided into tension headaches and cluster headaches. Each has different causes and effects |
Migraines can be triggered by certain foods, stress, hormonal change, anxiety, lack of sleep and rest, even weather changes |
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The most common causes of primary headaches |
Dietary habits such as fasting, dieting or skipping |
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Secondary headaches may result from excessive |
Some people get aura migraines, where they |
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Rebound headaches (recurring headaches) may occur from overuse of painkillers (taking of pain medication more than 3 days a week on a regular basis). These may also be called medication overuse headaches |
Migraines are more common among women and is believed to run in families
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Hormonal changes in women caused by contraceptive use, menopause and menstrual period can also cause headaches |
Migraines are linked to epilepsy, depression, asthma, anxiety, stroke, and other neurologic and hereditary disorders. Frequent migraines need to be checked to rule out these conditions |
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Some people may carry genes that make them more |
The brain has a migraine “pain center” or generator. Migraines happens when hyperactive nerve cells |
Most headaches are not serious and are temporary in nature. However, do see a doctor if your headache:
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When having a migraine, try these tips: –
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