Migraines are sometimes difficult to diagnose because they share similarities with other types of headaches.
To help distinguish them, let's take a look at five types of headaches that are not considered migraines but are sometimes confused with them.
1.
Caffeine withdrawal headache: Caffeine is a drug, so when you stop taking it your body reacts.
In the case of caffeine it reacts with a headache.
Some of the symptoms mimic migraine, including throbbing pain, nausea and/or vomiting, and even depression.
There are three medically accepted conditions that determine a caffeine withdrawal headache.
Wean yourself gradually instead.
2.
Rebound headache: This is caused by overusing medications.
A vicious cycle typically occurs.
You experience relief because the medication shrinks your blood vessels and stops the pain.
When the medicine wears off, however, the blood vessels re-expand and the headache returns.
So you consume more medication.
Before you know it you're exceeding the recommended dosage regularly.
This cycle of recurring headaches is what causes confusion with migraines.
How much medication will trigger a rebound headache? Many medical professionals say two, i.
e.
using a medication more than twice a week.
This is the case for some people but not everyone.
So rigidly sticking to this rule of thumb can cause you to suffer needlessly.
It's best to stick to the prescribed amount.
A doctor can help you determine if it's safe to use a drug more than twice a week without getting a rebound headache.
If you are using over-the-counter meds before you experience pain, you are probably overusing them.
This applies to prescription painkillers as well.
But in that case you can develop a more serious problem - you can acquire not only a rebound headache but an addiction.
So be very careful and always consult with a doctor.
3.
Cluster headache: These are uncommon but they are extremely painful and debilitating.
They are called cluster headaches because they occur in groups.
They afflict men far more often than women, by a 10 to 1 ratio.
What makes this type of headache so unusual is that someone can go months without one, then all of a sudden get hammered with a daily onslaught for weeks or longer.
They will then go away again for months or even years.
The severity of the pain is what causes many to think they are experiencing symptoms of a migraine attack.
4.
Thunderclap headache: This can be a dangerous situation and might signify that you are having a stroke or another serious attack.
This headache hits like a sharp blow to the head.
They happen suddenly and violently.
Immediate medical attention is needed if you get a such a headache.
5.
Orgasm headache: This is a seriously inopportune headache.
Just as you're reaching orgasm a sudden and severe headache appears.
It affects men four times more often than women.
The causes are not completely known, but they are not believed to be a health risk.
To help distinguish them, let's take a look at five types of headaches that are not considered migraines but are sometimes confused with them.
1.
Caffeine withdrawal headache: Caffeine is a drug, so when you stop taking it your body reacts.
In the case of caffeine it reacts with a headache.
Some of the symptoms mimic migraine, including throbbing pain, nausea and/or vomiting, and even depression.
There are three medically accepted conditions that determine a caffeine withdrawal headache.
- You consume at least 15 grams of caffeine per month, which is about four cups of coffee per day.
- The headache occurs within 24 hours after caffeine was last consumed.
- The headache goes away within about one hour of drinking a cup of coffee.
Wean yourself gradually instead.
2.
Rebound headache: This is caused by overusing medications.
A vicious cycle typically occurs.
You experience relief because the medication shrinks your blood vessels and stops the pain.
When the medicine wears off, however, the blood vessels re-expand and the headache returns.
So you consume more medication.
Before you know it you're exceeding the recommended dosage regularly.
This cycle of recurring headaches is what causes confusion with migraines.
How much medication will trigger a rebound headache? Many medical professionals say two, i.
e.
using a medication more than twice a week.
This is the case for some people but not everyone.
So rigidly sticking to this rule of thumb can cause you to suffer needlessly.
It's best to stick to the prescribed amount.
A doctor can help you determine if it's safe to use a drug more than twice a week without getting a rebound headache.
If you are using over-the-counter meds before you experience pain, you are probably overusing them.
This applies to prescription painkillers as well.
But in that case you can develop a more serious problem - you can acquire not only a rebound headache but an addiction.
So be very careful and always consult with a doctor.
3.
Cluster headache: These are uncommon but they are extremely painful and debilitating.
They are called cluster headaches because they occur in groups.
They afflict men far more often than women, by a 10 to 1 ratio.
What makes this type of headache so unusual is that someone can go months without one, then all of a sudden get hammered with a daily onslaught for weeks or longer.
They will then go away again for months or even years.
The severity of the pain is what causes many to think they are experiencing symptoms of a migraine attack.
4.
Thunderclap headache: This can be a dangerous situation and might signify that you are having a stroke or another serious attack.
This headache hits like a sharp blow to the head.
They happen suddenly and violently.
Immediate medical attention is needed if you get a such a headache.
5.
Orgasm headache: This is a seriously inopportune headache.
Just as you're reaching orgasm a sudden and severe headache appears.
It affects men four times more often than women.
The causes are not completely known, but they are not believed to be a health risk.
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