What Causes Frequent Occasional One-sided Headache?

Question: Hi.

I've been getting headaches a little more often then I used to. I've always had occasional headaches. But the frequency has increased a little bit. For example last month I had a headache 3 times. This month so far I was Ok until last week, and since then I've had 2 headaches. They always go away after taking a single tablet of acetaminophen 500mg and resting for some time. I usually don't have to take the painkiller a second time. It always helps by taking only one.

The pattern has always been the same. If I wake up I might feel a very minor ache and it gradually gets worse through out the day until I take a painkiller. Sometimes it starts in the evening or late night and carries on until the morning. In the morning it usually is the least troublesome and gradually gets worse. As stated before this happens only ocassionally. Maybe a couple times every month or two. The ache is always on one side sometimes left and sometimes right side. It feels like a pulse throbbing from mild to moderate pain. Not disabling pain. It feels as if the pain is behind the eye when it happens. I visited my doctor and he said these are actually migraines. Also said the frequency is not worrisome in this case. Just wanted a second opinion. Are migraines and headaches different? Does this sound like a migraine?


I just wanted to add something. Sometimes when I get these headaches, the pain might move from one side to the other. But still the pattern is the same of it staying on one side of the head most of the time.

Watching tv or computer will aggravate it when it is happening. Also, It helps to lay down in a room where there is no light. Although being in a room where the light is on does not make it worse.
Listening to music with headphones will aggravate it a little as well. If I think if something stressful or exciting, then it will increase in the same way that our heartbeat increases for a moment, and then calm down. There are no other symptoms like vomiting or nausea. A few days ago after taking a painkiller and laying down, it took about an hour to go away but after I woke up and started watching tv it started to come back. At night before going to sleep I took one more painkiller and then it was fine very soon after that. The pain is never severe, but it is very annoying because one side of head feels 100% normal and other feels like it is aching. It usually does not get in the way of doing day to day tasks when it happens however, this sometimes aggravates it. I can take painkiller and continue day to day tasks most times (without need to rest) but without painkiller if my head hurts and I continue talking, watching tv, all that then it gets a little worse

Thank you for your response, I have just one more question for you,

As I stated in the first question, whenever this happens, when the ache is minor in the morning when I wake up, drinking coffee seems to help. I have heard that coffee may be bad for headache / migraine sufferers. Since I have been a regular coffee drinker for quite some time, in my case, does the caffeine help me or is it just because I have this habit now? And in this case, if my head hurts a little when I wake up, since I know it will get worse as the day goes on, I tend to quickly make a cup of coffee to prevent this from happening. Since all this is not everyday occurrence, is it still recommended to stay away from coffee in your opinion?