Migraines vs. Headaches: What are Migraines?

It’s migraine awareness month this June, and it’s an interesting one. Migraines affect 4.9 million Aussies, 70% of who are female. According to Deloitte, this common headache type cost our economy more than $35billion in 2018. That’s an expensive headache.

With so many of us suffering from them, you might be wondering why we need an awareness month at all? Most people have heard of migraines. Migraine Australia says they created the campaign to “reduce the stigma that migraine is just a headache”.

So, if a migraine isn’t just a headache, what is it?

Migraines vs. headaches

The most obvious difference between migraines and other types of headaches is the wide range of symptoms they produce. While headaches are a symptom themselves, migraines cause pain elsewhere in the body.

Nausea and vomiting are common among migraine sufferers, so much so that a related condition known as stomach migraines tends to have no headache symptoms at all. Sensitivity to light and a migraine aura (seeing lights in the eyes) is also common.

As well as causing additional symptoms, the severity of migraine symptoms is generally worse than headaches as a whole. Migraines can last entire days and are sometimes more difficult to get rid of than other headaches.

Migraines also typically follow a pattern, which is unique to each individual but consistent in their own experiences. The symptoms of other headaches also affect one side or section of the head, while migraines affect the entire head (or body).

What causes migraines?

As with so many conditions we cover, the exact cause of migraines is unknown. There are numerous theories on the subject, but it is generally accepted that no two people will experience migraines in the same way.

England’s NHS note that migraines are “…thought to be the result of abnormal brain activity temporarily affecting nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain”. That means

While we don’t know the exact cause of migraines in general, common triggers have been identified. Dairy (specifically, chocolate 💔), menstruation, stress, sleep disruption and even the weather can call bring on a migraine attack.

What causes a migraine for you will differ from others, so a great way to work out what to avoid is to keep a trigger diary. Write down everything you eat and do, then write any migraine symptoms down too. A month should be a good timeframe to spot a pattern.

Who is susceptible?

Migraines affect everyone, but women are more likely to suffer. Young people also tend to suffer worse, with average migraine severity diminishing after age 40. Stressed people are also more likely to suffer, as is anyone that frequently experiences a common trigger.

There does seem to be a genetic link in migraines, so the condition might be inherited from our parents. A genetic link implies that people with specific genes might be more susceptible to migraines, but as of now, no single gene has been identified.

Frequent fliers are particularly likely to experience migraines for a few reasons. The poor sleep quality on planes, jet lag from time zone jumping and a poor diet of plane food are a recipe for a migraine disaster.

If you do need to fly often, remember to stay hydrated and bring your own food if you can. An upgrade to business class will greatly improve your sleep, but we know that isn’t possible for most of us.

Migraine awareness month 2022

Check out all the cool events running this month to raise awareness of the importance of migraine de-stigmatisation.

Together, we can help migraine sufferers deal with their symptoms without fear of being dismissed as “just a headache”.