Difference between headache and migraine | I thought I had a headache for 8 years...

My eldest daughter, who often said she had headaches since she was a student.

I suffered from severe headaches that made it difficult to work even after becoming an adult.

When I was a student, I thought studying was tough, so I only bought painkillers from a regular pharmacy when the pain was severe.

I thought it might be because my immunity was low, so I even bought and took health supplements.

 

 

During college, I just got by working part-time (I heard she endured headaches by taking painkillers).

As a working professional, the stress level is so intense that there are days when I can't even open my eyes or get up from my seat.

I even had days off work due to dizziness overlapping with nausea and vomiting.

The symptoms are diverse, making daily life more difficult, and as a result, I developed insomnia.

The area under my eyes is sunken and hollow, making me look like a seriously ill patient, and I suddenly felt scared.

 

Just based on the symptoms, I think there might be something wrong with my head, and I'm feeling very anxious.

After much 고민, I decided to get a head MRI.

I think the first step is to see a specialist.

I also searched and asked around.

 

I found out that among my new colleagues at work (aged 25), there is someone suffering from cluster headaches.

This is Choi Yoon-joo from the neurology department I visited through an introduction.

When you search for migraines, a hospital famous for migraines appears on Naver.

 

He was a doctor famous for migraines.

You can immediately diagnose it as a migraine just from the questionnaire and prescribe medication right away.

From the perspective of someone who is ill, they say they need objective data to trust and take medication.

They said they would just do a few necessary tests.

 

Blood tests are fundamental (since there may be inappropriate tests for medication treatment and other diseases need to be excluded), so we included blood tests and brain CT (she was told to bring the previous imaging because she had repeated headaches and had already had scans done before, so she was advised to bring them in after a phone consultation). We also conducted an EEG and other tests.

Additionally, they also conducted tests related to tinnitus. Since you mentioned dizziness, they are also checking whether it is related to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), considering your history of repeated ear infections and allergies during the interview.

 

The attitude of the doctor who explains after the test reassures me, and I realized how important doctors are because of this.

My daughter, who received a one-week medication prescription and has been taking the medicine for three days, called happily to tell me she's sleeping well!!!

Currently, I am receiving treatment and prescriptions alone, and I am taking my medication consistently, so I am enjoying my work life energetically and happily.

Currently, they say they are gradually reducing the number of medications.

This is the prescription received during the second visit.

 

 

I will briefly write about the difference between headache and migraine that I learned through this experience.

Especially because of the misconception that it was just a headache and the incorrect knowledge and prejudices about migraines, I feel heartbroken that my eldest daughter suffered even more.

 

 

 

Let's learn more about the symptoms of migraines.

Migraine can manifest in four stages: prodrome, aura, headache, and recovery.

(Please note that this stage does not appear in everyone.)

 

 

When it comes to migraines, people often think of a headache that hurts on one side of the head.

As a medical term, migraine is characterized by pulsating pain of at least moderate severity.

It refers to a headache that is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and a fear of light or sound.

 

Migraine shows significant differences in prevalence depending on age and gender, occurring mostly in young women. According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, there are 150,000 male patients and 380,000 female patients, with the number of female patients being 2.5 times higher.

 

The mechanism behind migraines has not yet been fully understood, but it is thought to be related to the stimulation of the hypothalamus in the brain (the part responsible for regulating hormones in the body). The hypothalamus in the brain controls autonomic nerves, sleep, appetite, and pituitary hormone secretion.

 

So, it is said to be related to factors that influence these (e.g., lack of sleep, physical fatigue, mental stress, etc.).

Additionally, external environmental changes (loud noises, strong light, changes in air pressure, temperature, and humidity) are also said to act as triggers.

Additionally, it occurs more frequently in women (aged 20 to 40) than in men, and significant factors include changes in female hormones such as childbirth and menstruation. So, why does migraine happen?

 

 

My eldest daughter is very sensitive to smells, and it was suggested that perfume is likely a trigger!!

(At first, I couldn't believe it even after hearing, but the daughter involved really related to it.)

 

 

 

1. Light blocking.

2. Water intake

3. Exercise (Preventive Management)

4, Warm compress on the forehead and nape of the neck

5, Good foods: eating salmon, bananas, almonds, etc.

Reduce coffee, red wine, cheese, sausage, chocolate, and other foods containing tyramine that trigger migraines.

 

 

 

My eldest daughter has changed her lifestyle and eating habits on her own and is getting enough sleep.

My migraine symptoms have almost disappeared, and I have regained my healthy appearance.

Since contact with people is unavoidable, I am trying not to think of it as stress (smell) myself.

I hope this can be of some help to those suffering from migraines.

Thank you for reading the long message.