That Sinus Headache Might Be a Migraine Headache

Migraine headaches are quite common and the truth is they may well be much more common than we ever imagined. Most statistics put the number of people in the United States who suffer from migraine headaches at some point in their lifetime at about 11% to 13% of the population. Ask anyone who has suffered from a migraine headache how uncomfortable it can be and they will certainly let you know that a migraine is nothing to take lightly at all.

I personally have had a great deal of problems with headaches, and for the longest period of time I thought that my headaches were sinus headaches. Most people in our country believe that when they get a headache because of weather changes or a specific stress moment at work, what they are dealing with is a sinus headache. In the last few years, medical researchers are finding more and more information that unless you have an acute sinus infection your headache is probably a migraine rather than a sinus headache. In more than one study researchers have found that over 90% of people who believe they have a sinus headache actually have a migraine headache.

As more information comes out about migraine headaches, the symptoms of a migraine headache are better understood. The strange truth is, a diagnosis of a migraine doesn't even have to include a headache as a symptom. Most often a dull or severe headache will be seen in migraine patients, but other common things that key doctors to believe that migraine is the cause of the symptoms include sensitivity to the following; lights, sounds, quick motions, and smells. People with migraine headaches often seek relief by heading to the bed, turning all the lights off, and closing their eyes to rest. Migraine headaches are recurrent, but the patient generally has plenty of time where they are symptom-free as well. Migraines are more common in women than men, and hereditary traits of migraine issues are very common.

The next time you start getting a headache with pain above the eyes, sensitivity to lights or smells, or even the slightest of sounds you should consider the fact that you are likely dealing with a migraine headache rather than a sinus headache. The bad news is migraine headaches typically recur, but the good news is if you know that it is migraines you are dealing with there are plenty of medications that a qualified doctor can try to help improve your condition.