by Crystal Consylma

We have all experienced the dreadful discomfort and pain that nags us at the worst time. Our head aches and feels like it wants to explode. Are you able to tell if you are suffering from a simple headache or if the cause of the pain you are experiencing is from something more?

The term headache is used to explain discomfort and pain that a person feels in their head. It can range from mild to severe and can be located on one or both sides of the head. Specific areas where headaches can occur include the forehead, temples and the back of the neck. What is not commonly known is that a headache can last anywhere from 15 minutes up to an entire week.

The most common headache is a tension headache. A tension-type headache affects approximately 42% of adults worldwide. They cause a feeling of intense pressure around the head. The causes of tension-type headaches can include:

  • Hunger
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Stress
  • Poor posture
  • Neck straining

So what if it is more? What if you have additional symptoms that are actually the cause of a migraine headache? What is a migraine, and what can you do to combat it? A migraine is a headache that is intense or severe and often has other symptoms in addition to head pain. Symptoms you should look for besides pain are:

  • Nausea
  • Pain behind an eye or ear
  • Pain in the temple
  • Seeing spots or a flash of light
  • Sensitivity to light and/or sound
  • Dizziness
  • Temporary vision loss
  • Vomiting

Migraine headache pain can be moderate or severe and can last several hours, several days, or for some, several years. Now that you know the difference between the two, what do you do to combat what you are feeling? A typical headache can normally be brought under control fairly quickly. A migraine may take longer, with stronger medication. Migraine sufferers try many ways to combat the dreaded headache with Daith piercings, oils and new drug breakthroughs.

No matter what type of headache you suffer from, rest and medication seem to be the best ways to combat what seems to be one of the things we all dread most.