Migraines may strike 50% of people

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.... So what is the difference between a migraine, a tension headache, and a

sinus headache?

A migraine is essentially a really bad headache that lasts for more than

four hours and is accompanied by certain telltale symptoms -- such as

sensitivity to light, sound or colours. Migraine can also be a chronic,

debilitating condition.

A tension headache is characterized by a dull, annoying but generally

bearable pain. And a sinus headache is, well, increasingly looking like a

sign that your doctor is not quite informed enough.

" Sinus headaches are greatly overdiagnosed and overtreated, " said Dr.

Gladstone, who is also a fellow at the Mayo Clinic in sdale, Ariz.

" The majority of people who think they have sinus headaches unknowingly have

migraines. " (The confusion stems from the fact that migraine pain is often

felt in the sinus and neck.)

The distinction is important because migraines don't respond to traditional

painkillers such as acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin), ibuprofen (Advil,

Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). And sinus medication doesn't help

either.

Rather, migraines are best treated with triptans, a prescription medication.

They include sumatriptan (sold under the brand names Imitrex and Imigran)

and eletriptan (Relpax). Many doctors hesitate at prescribing triptans

because they can cause side effects such as chest pain. (But new research

suggests that the drugs do not increase the risk of heart disease.)...