IF YOU'VE ever had head pain so strong that you couldn't tell whether it was a headache or a migraine, you're probably not alone.
Headaches and migraines differ in terms of pain type, duration and more.
But is it possible to experience both at the same time?
Verdict:
TRUE
It turns out this isn't such a crazy concept after all, as a person can have both a migraine and a tension headache at the same time.
Some health sites call this a mixed tension migraine, essentially a combination of a migraine and a tension headache, the most common type of headache.
It is not an official diagnosis, but the International Headache Society's classification, which doctors use to diagnose headaches, states that each type of headache a patient has should be diagnosed separately.
As for migraines, they are a neurological condition characterised by head pain that can be chronic or episodic, thought to involve inflammatory substances released around the nerves and blood vessels in the head.
Tension headaches, by contrast, are typically a dull, pressing pain on both sides of the head, often described as feeling like a tight band, and may be linked to stress or tight neck muscles.
When the two overlap, symptoms can include nausea or vomiting, pain in the neck and face, sensitivity to light or sound and a throbbing sensation in the head, just to name a few.
There is no specific test for this kind of headache, as doctors diagnose headaches based on symptoms and history.
Keeping a headache diary that records each episode can help doctors tell the different types apart.
If you're noticing any symptoms and they are constantly impacting your daily life, it is best to see a doctor.
How does one treat it? Like most headaches and migraines, the answer is largely the same.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications are usually the first line of treatment, but sometimes beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, which are hypertension medications, may also reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
Be careful not to overdo the painkillers, though, as taking them too often can itself cause medication-overuse headaches, according to the World Health Organization.
Another solution is lifestyle changes, which could include maintaining proper sleeping habits, being more active, managing stress better, staying hydrated and reducing alcohol consumption.
Long story short, you are not crazy, and you may have experienced a mix of both a headache and a migraine at the same time.
Sources:
1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders
2. https://ichd-3.org/how-to-use-the-classification/
