While most people are familiar with migraines and headaches, they’ve never come across the term “migraine headache.” In fact, it may sound anomalous if you’ve never encountered it before.

Well, it’s not an odd form of malapropism; it’s a real condition. A migraine headache is a common type of headache that has a tendency of recurring. It causes moderate to severe pain that commonly starts on a specific side of the head.

It’s important to note that a migraine headache is essentially a migraine. The confusion commonly arises because people tend to think migraines and headaches are two different conditions that affect the head. In actuality, a migraine is a type of headache.

Individuals with migraines experience a pulsing or throbbing sensation in the affected area. In most cases, the severity of the condition worsens as the individual engages in physical activity.

We’ve rounded up three key aspects of the condition you should keep in mind. This insight will help you get diagnosed and treated on time, if need be.

Let’s get started.

1. What Are the Symptoms of a Migraine?

A migraine can be differentiated from a regular headache by its symptoms. Patients become particularly sensitive to light, noise, and odors. In addition, they may experience nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain. As the migraine worsens, they may feel tired, dizzy, and warm.

Other symptoms that may manifest include:

Loss of appetite
Blurred vision
Paleness
On and off sweating and cold chills
Diarrhea (uncommon)
Fever (uncommon)

2. How Long Does the Pain Last?

While the duration of the pain depends on the severity of the migraine, it’s commonly between 4 hours and 3 days. If treated on time, the patient recovers within 1–2 days.

However, leaving the migraine unattended can exacerbate the symptoms and prolong the recovery period. If the affected person continues to engage in strenuous routine activities without getting treated, it may take up to a week (or longer) for them to recover.

3. What Triggers a Migraine Headache?

A migraine can be triggered by a wide range of stimuli, including overexertion, emotional stress, food sensitivity, hormonal changes, caffeine, sleep problems, anxiety, overuse of certain medication, and loud noises, among others.

Recommended Read: How PTSD and Concussions Can Complicate Migraines

Get Your Migraine Headache Treated in Huntington Beach and Los Angeles

Taking timely action is a great way to relieve your migraine headache. Click here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Farzin Pedouim.

Treatment is aimed at reducing the severity of the symptoms and preventing full-blown attacks. Dr. Farzin uses pain-relieving or preventative medication to treat patients. Each case is different so your treatment plan may vary based on your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, age, and condition.

For more information, call (949) 239-4410. Dr. Farzin also specializes in blepharospasm Botox treatment, torticollis treatment, dystonia Botox treatment, and spasticity Botox treatment, among others.