What is the difference between a headache & a migraine cos i am not sure which i have got ?

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xiepeppa	if you had a migraine you would not be able to look at a computer screen,you have a headache so take two headex and you should be better in no time.

ljwjbw43	A headache you can live with, you just take a pill and it will go away . But a migraine look out you know when your getting one of them there is always signs when they are coming , I try all different pills to keep it from coming but nothing seems to help me. I just feel like smashing my head off the wall sometimes because I get them so bad and they last for days at a time.Now that is a migraine.

dod377	Headache caused by diet, bugs, bad vision, hormones etc Migraine caused by wife shouting in your ear hole all night!!!!!

CARFREAK	A headache usually only lasts for about a couple of hours,whereas a migraine can last for 8 hours or more and can be more pain full affecting eyesight & is speach & or breathing causing convulsions {feeling sick}with some people,you will know the difference when you do get a migrane if it persits more than 4 hours make an urgent appointment to see your GP dont go to your local chemist or drug store GP has best advice & medication toi give you the relief you need,wont say what meds i take i can tell you by going to the darkest room in the house or going back to bed pull covers over your head and tre to relax & try to go to sleep will help.

NATIVE NEW YORKER	IF YOU HAD A MIGRAINE YOU WOULDN'T BE ON THE COMPUTER - GUARANTEED

laura cj	A headache is a dull lulling pain. When its its a migraine u get the headache but u get other symptoms as well, these differ between 1 person to the next. Symptoms can include blurred vision, hot flushes, nausea, sickness, light headedness, dizziness, light sensitivty, disorientation, even hallucinations, i once saw blue blobs on the bath!

jenaz77	A headache is usually pretty mild and goes away by taking Excedrin or Aspirin. A migraine gives you throbbing pain in your temples and makes you sensitive to light, nauseated, and for some people it can make you throw up too. I know when I get a migraine, it also makes me sensitive to noise and only prescription narcotics take away the pain. Migraines suck!!

G B	if you ever have a migraine, you will know that you have just got a headache now. Migraines are really debilitating.

Anita G	A headache is a headache...a migraine is when you have sensitivity to light followed with a headache and nausea

carer	i agree with most of the answers you've had so far migrain is so totally diferent to a headach and can have some or all of the symptoms that you have read in these answers but if you have asuch a bad headache it is unlikely to be just a headache, sinus conjestion is a commen cause and it can give you a very unpleasant headache which can last for a long time. try inhaling steam or putin g olbas oil or carvol on your hankie' sinutabs or mucron are good to ease conjestion. if it continues you should see your doc and if it is sinusitis he will give you antibiotics i hope you feel better soon

LAURA S	believe me you would know if you had a migraine when i get a migraine i have sickness, sensitivity to light(especially artificial light ) vomiting, dizziness and the sore head is unbearable if you are lucky you wont be suffering from migraine's

BaFfler	There is a new development in migraine therapy: http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html

╚ Alien Gurl ┐	A migraine is a pain in the *** and a headache don't hurt as much. That's how you know. Also migraines usually cause a throbbing pain on one side of your head then spread to both sides and usually are associated with light sensitive and nausea.

chicyuna	A headache is when you just have a pounding in your temples. A migraine is when that pounding is severe, plus you get blurry eyesight, or might only see half of things. Also, accompanying a migraine is fever like symptoms, such as sweating, increase in temperature, feeling weak, etc.

Teacherwitch	A headache is just a headache - it goes away after a little while with an Aspirin. A migraine causes serious to unbearable pain, light sensitivity, nausea, sometimes light flashes. If you have a migraine you'll know it. I knew a lady who had had brain surgery when she was a young woman, and she got migraines so bad she had to have Morphine at the ER. My BF has them periodically and they're terrible. If you feel OK to be at the computer, you don't have a migraine. This is a good thing.

nlj1520	Migraines tend to be on one side of the head not both (ordinary headaches tend to be on both). Migraine is often associated with visual disturbances (spots in front of the eye, blind patches, tunnel vision etc) and nausea (although any severe pain can make you feel nauseous). Migraines are often mistaken for sinus headaches and ordinary painkillers just don't touch the pain. They require either Migraleve from the chemist or a prescription from the doctor. Lying in a darkened room in quiet can help if it's possible. Hope you feel better soon.

Steven	If you had a migraine, I doubt very much whether you could use a computer to ask the question. Painful eyes, sever lassitude as well as a pounding head are usually symptoms. Hope you feel better soon.

ALLEN B	If you were able to type your question and read the answers you ain't got a migraine!!

♥Jess♥	migraines are usually sudden and come with blurred vision and sensitivity to light and sound.

Cheryl J	With a migraine it will be harder to get rid of with paracetomol etc. You also get tiredness, and nausea with migraine. Actually being sick if it is realy bad. Will last longer than a headache and usually brought on by stress.

jinx	headache is just what it says, but a migrane ,you have blurred vision flashing lights sometimes and nausea,migrane can last a few hours or a few days

jillybird	A migraine can be diagnosed by having a few things you don't get with a headache; blurred or disturbed vision, sickness, light can hurt the eyes, noise can make the pain worse.

aqua-libra	if you get a migraine you will no the difference. migraine makes you very sensitive to light, sound and makes you feel nauseus. try migraleve tablets if you have it, you cant have Paracetamol with them but you can have Ibuprofen.

a2z_4me	Migraine is a much higher intensity than a head ache. If it hurts so much you just can not function then its a migraine.

suprwmn45	headaches can be caused by anything. Migraines are vascular. With migraines...no ordinary pain killer will get rid of them...you might have vision problems, sensitivity to sound, feels like the top of your head is on fire, nausea. If you dont have meds for a migraine...take the strongest stuff you do have in your house, get in a dark cool room and put an ice pack on your head and get some rest. Good luck to ya

bugaboo	Migraine is more a pain focused on one side of your head. You may have odd vision, nausea or weakness down the one side too.

Shamrocks	Headaches are just annoying. Migraines are real pains that can make it hard to see and function. If you had one now you could not have typed your question.

foz	a migraine u cant stand the light or any noise! cant lift ur head off the pillow! headache u can live with! migraine alot more painfull!! hope u feel better!

?	you have a head ache i suffer from migraines alot and you would not be on here if you were suffering a migraine

richard_beckham2001	Most people get headaches now and then, but how do you know if it's a migraine? This is a headache in which blood vessels constrict and dilate, releasing inflammatory substances that cause painful pulsations. The mild to severe pain can last from four hours up to a week, two to four times a month. Your headache may be a migraine if you have any combination of these symptoms: Moderate to severe pain (often described as pounding, throbbing pain) that can affect the whole head, or can shift from one side of the head to the other Sensitivity to light, noise or odors Blurred vision Nausea or vomiting, upset stomach, abdominal pain Loss of appetite Sensations of being very warm or cold Paleness Fatigue Dizziness Fever (rare) Bright flashing dots or lights, blind spots, wavy or jagged lines (aura)