TENSION HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES
Surely you have ever heard the term migraine or headache or even used it thinking that it is the same thing. In this article, I explain the differences between the two and how we can help you at SOMSALUT.
The term migraine comes from the French and originates from the Greek word hemicrania, half head. The fundamental symptom of the migraine syndrome is the periodic headache, almost always unilateral , associated with:
- Irritability
- Nausea
- vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- They usually start with visual disturbances.
During the attacks, the cranial arteries dilate, which explains the cephalic phase. The symptoms preceding the headache represent the closing of the initial “arterial lumen”, which develops gradually throughout 5 to 20 minutes, followed by the opening of this “arterial lumen”, during which the pain appears.
The headache, unlike migraine, is bilateral and non-pulsating; it is not associated with digestive disorders. He has no initial symptoms or alteration in the field of vision and does not worsen with physical activity.
Both migraine and headaches have vascular mechanisms in common.
Tension headaches and migraines are more common in women than in men. The incidence can be as high as 24% to 38.3% of the population and functional disability can reach 44% of patients.
TREATMENT
Osteopathy and physiotherapy try to improve the quality of life of these patients, studying, first of all, the patient as a whole and then their particularities. We need a medical differential diagnosis especially of the tissues responsible for the pain the patient presents, it is an essential element of osteopathy. After that, we have to study musculoskeletal, cranial and visceral mechanical dysfunctions to come up with an appropriate treatment protocol for each person.
From SOMSALUT we leave you some recommendations on healthy lifestyle habits that can also help in a preventive way.
- Maintain stable sleep schedules
- Reducing stimulation from mobile or computer screens before bed can help improve sleep quality.
- Avoid , as far as possible, situations that generate stress
- Hydration throughout the day
- Balanced and healthy diet , avoid caffeine, tobacco
- Practicing physical exercise regularly can be a very useful tool for the prevention of migraines and headaches.
If you have any questions about this article or want to consult us about your specific case, do not hesitate to contact us.
References
Chronic daily headache (Adela Emilia Gómez Ayala)
Osteopathic treatment of migraines and headaches (E.Martínez Loza)
Osteopathy for patients with migraine and tension headache – end of year thesis Osteopathy (student óscar Mintegui Gutiérrez – Tutor: Fly Blanco Garrido)