We have all experienced waking up with a pounding head and questioning whether it is just a headache or something more serious like a migraine. However, do you actually have a migraine, or was it merely a severe headache? It is easy to confuse the two, which is why the term 'migraine' is often used casually. While all migraines are headaches, not all headaches are migraines. Understanding what you have is essential for receiving appropriate treatment and managing symptoms effectively.
What is a Headache?
Headaches are unpleasant pains in the head that can cause pressure and aching. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, headaches are a major reason people miss work or school. Not all headaches are the same; they vary in frequency and pain intensity. Some headaches recur, while others last from days to weeks. The pain can range from mild to severe. Headaches are categorized into three types: primary headaches, secondary headaches, and cranial neuralgias or neuropathies. Primary headaches occur on their own and include tension-type headaches and migraines.
What is a Tension-Type Headache?
Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common type of headache, according to the World Health Organization. It may be stress-related or linked to musculoskeletal problems in the neck. TTH often begins in the teen years and affects 50% more women than men. Episodes can be infrequent, frequent, or chronic. Although the exact causes are unknown, recent research suggests that genetics, brain signals, and muscle tenderness play significant roles. Common triggers include mental strain, lack of adequate sleep or poor-quality sleep, physical postures that strain the head or neck (such as reading, working on a computer, or staring at a mobile phone screen), alcohol use, dehydration, and sunlight exposure.
How to Identify TTH?
Imagine a tight band around the head causing pressure or tightness. Most people feel pain on both sides of the head, typically mild to moderate. The pain can occur in the forehead and temples and may also be felt at the back of the neck. It usually lasts from 5 minutes to 4 hours, although severe cases may last up to 7 days. Individuals more prone to TTH include women, younger people, those who often experience tiredness and difficulty sleeping, people with a history of migraine, and those with a history of depression.
What is a Migraine?
Migraine is a condition characterized by repeated attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head. According to WHO, these recurring attacks are often lifelong. Migraine often begins at puberty and generally affects those aged between 35 and 45 years. Attacks are more common in women, possibly due to hormonal influences. Migraine is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, visual disturbances, sensitivity to light, sound, or both, vomiting, muscle aches, pain behind one eye or ear, pain in the temples, and neck and shoulder pain. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may occur all at once during an attack or separately between attacks. Migraine attacks can last from hours to days and can make it difficult to carry out everyday activities.
How to Tell if it is a Migraine?
Migraine is often described as severe throbbing and pulsating pain that can last from 4 to 72 hours. In a video shared by Northwestern Medicine on Facebook, neurologist Dr. Katherine S. Carroll explains how migraine differs from a usual headache. 'The headache of a migraine itself is oftentimes pounding and throbbing in nature. Also, migraines tend to have features associated with them, such as light and/or sound or smell sensitivity, as well as nausea and sometimes even vomiting. About 25 to 30 per cent of patients with migraine do experience aura, and this consists of a variety of different visual symptoms, such as sparkles of light, swirls of colour, white spots in the periphery of the vision, or blurry spots in their vision. These visual symptoms can last from five minutes up to an hour and oftentimes occur before the onset of a migraine headache,' she said.
The neurologist also shared some non-medicinal remedies that may help relieve migraine headaches, including placing ice packs on the affected area, resting in a quiet, dark room, applying essential oils, and using other topical treatments. 'Medication, including ibuprofen or paracetamol, can also be used. Over-the-counter migraine medications often include a small amount of caffeine, because sometimes when one is having a migraine headache and consumes a small amount of caffeine, it can provide pain relief,' she said. However, headaches should never be dismissed or self-medicated, especially if they do not go away within a few hours. 'One should seek medical help when they are not getting any pain relief from over-the-counter medications. They should also seek medical attention when they feel their migraines are increasing in frequency or severity, and begin to affect their quality of life and their ability to carry out daily activities,' she added.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Readers should seek the guidance of a doctor or other licensed healthcare provider for any medical advice or concerns.
