what is a headache

[KITTY1968]

what is headache and what is the diffrence between a normal headache and a migraine?

[andy hughes]

A headace is just that, an ache in the head. A migrine is a different affliction, and a severer headache is only one symptom. The headace is usually localised, over the eyes, or appearing to be down the  middle of the skull. It is often accompanied by a sensation of flashing lights, aversion to bright light, and nausea. Severe cases can lead to temporary paralysis and loss of speech, though these are rare. A headace will usually respond to simple pain killers, but there is no known general effective cure for migraine - the sufferer usually has to lie down in a darkened room until the symptoms subside.

[xxlizziexx]

a migraine is when you have a very very painful headake and you are sick and feel extremly ill, i have then and used to have them alot when i was younger hope this helps xx

[Ember]

If you ever had a migraine you would not need to ask what the difference was, believe me its weird.   I get migraine and get most of the symptoms, flashing lights, looking at peoples faces and finding they are not there etc etc, but here happily I differ from most migraine sufferers, I get no pain whatsoever which I think is most unusual on the other hand I do get sore headaches, but these usually go after a quick lie down and a dose or two of paracetemol.    

[PurplePixie]

A headache is experienced as a pain in the head....a migraine is a whole body experience!  A headache comes along and you take a pill & it goes...the pain of a migraine can make you feel unable to move, talk, it can even hurt to blink & it can go on for days.

[Cheesefreek]

I too have spent a lifetime suffering from migraine.  But not any more!! my doctor prescribed some tablets called Naramig.  I'm only allowed six a month.  But as soon as I feel a migraine coming on I take one, and within half an hour it's gone.  I can't believe I suffered for years when no drug would touch the pain.  I feel liberated.  Funnily enough, if it's just a normal tension headache Naramig doesn't work.

They probably don't work for all migraine sufferers but I would recommend asking your GP if you can give them a try.

[2planks]

I echo the above - my doctor prescribed Naramig and they really have helped - as long as I take one when I feel a migraine coming on (always on the same side of my head and in the same place).  I took one last night and no migraine developed.  If I delay a few hours, I still get a migraine but it is not as intense (pain, vomiting, aversion to noise/light being my symptoms). You can only take 2 in any 24 hours, but I only take one. Worth seeing your doc if you suffer.

[PurplePixie]

I get tablets called Almogran, and I seem to be able to have as many as I like from the Doc. I take 1 at the first hint of a migraine & wow it's gone.

My life used to be ruled by my migraines & I took so many painkillers that I was getting worried about overdosing. Since these pills, I hardly ever need to take a second pill (they work the same as the ones above...you take 1 & then another 2 hours later if still in pain), and my use of painkillers is nearly nothing!