What is the difference between a migraine and a regular headache?
What is the difference between a migraine and a regular headache?
user
Migraine is a type of headache, but it is specifically defined as a throbbing, pulsing, or painful headache that is usually located in one side of the head, and can spread to involve the entire head, or any part of the face, or a particular region of the neck.
assistant
I'm also feeling very nauseous and sensitive to light.  Are those symptoms of a migraine?
user
Nausea and sensitivity to light are also symptoms of migraines.  However, it's more common for these symptoms to last for less than a day in migraine sufferers.  Also, they are often only associated with the actual migraine and not the pre-migraine or post-migraine symptoms.  Migraines can affect the whole body including nausea, vomiting, pain in any area, and sensitivity to light.
assistant
What should I do to treat my migraine?
user
That's going to depend on a variety of factors, including the duration, intensity, and regularity of your migraine.  There are some medications that you can take in pill or capsule form to prevent a migraine from occurring, or prevent a migraine from occurring again after you have already had one.  However, if you are currently having a migraine, you might not be able to take medication that reduces your headache, as this will decrease your ability to think clearly.
assistant
How long does a migraine usually last?  Will I be able to just sleep it off?
user