Headache vs. Migraine: Symptoms, Causes & Differences

Headaches and migraines can both cause head pain, but they aren’t the same thing. A typical tension headache often causes pressure or tightness around the head, while a migraine can cause more intense pain along with symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.

Knowing the difference between a headache and a migraine can help you better understand your symptoms, identify possible triggers and know when it’s time to talk with a healthcare provider.

What’s the Difference Between a Headache and a Migraine?

“Headache” is a broad term for pain that occurs in the head, face or upper neck. There are several different types of headaches, including tension headaches and cluster headaches. You can also learn more about headaches and what they may be telling you from Revere Health.

Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause recurring attacks. Head pain is a common migraine symptom, but migraine attacks can also involve nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and, in some people, visual or sensory symptoms known as aura. The Mayo Clinic’s migraine overview provides additional information about migraine symptoms and causes.

Here is a quick comparison:

Symptom	Tension Headache	Migraine
Pain	Pressure, tightness or aching	Often throbbing or pulsating
Severity	Usually mild to moderate	Often moderate to severe
Location	Often affects both sides of the head	May affect one or both sides
Nausea or vomiting	Uncommon	Can occur
Sensitivity to light	Less common	Common
Sensitivity to sound	Less common	Common
Aura	No	Can occur in some people
Physical activity	Usually does not significantly worsen symptoms	May worsen symptoms

Symptoms can vary from person to person, so a healthcare provider can help determine what type of headache you’re experiencing.

What Does a Tension Headache Feel Like?

Tension-type headaches are among the most common types of headaches.

Instead of the throbbing pain often associated with migraine, a tension headache may feel like pressure or a tight band around your head. The pain is often mild to moderate and may affect both sides of the head.

Some people also experience tenderness around the scalp, neck or shoulders.

Factors such as stress and sleep problems may contribute to headaches in some people. The Mayo Clinic’s guide to tension headaches provides more information about common symptoms and when to seek medical care.

What Does a Migraine Feel Like?

Migraine attacks are often more disruptive than ordinary headaches.

Migraine pain may be moderate to severe and can feel throbbing or pulsating. Although migraines are often associated with pain on one side of the head, they can affect both sides.

A migraine may also cause:

Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to sound
Sensitivity to smells
Dizziness
Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue
Visual or sensory changes in people who experience aura

Migraine attacks can interfere with work, school, sleep and normal daily activities.

Migraine With Aura vs. Migraine Without Aura

Not everyone who experiences migraines has an aura.

A migraine without aura causes migraine symptoms without the neurological warning symptoms associated with aura.

A migraine with aura may involve temporary visual, sensory or other neurological symptoms before or during an attack.

Visual symptoms can include changes such as flashing lights, spots or unusual patterns in a person’s vision. Some people may experience tingling, numbness or changes in speech. Learn more about migraine with aura from Mayo Clinic.

Because new neurological symptoms can sometimes have causes other than migraine, seek medical attention for new, sudden or unusual symptoms.

What Causes Migraines?

Migraine is a complex neurological condition, and there isn’t one single cause.

Genetics can play a role, and some people notice that particular circumstances seem to trigger their migraine attacks.

Potential triggers vary considerably from person to person.

Common Migraine Triggers

Possible migraine triggers can include:

Stress
Changes in sleep
Skipping meals
Dehydration
Hormonal changes
Bright or flashing lights
Strong smells
Certain foods or beverages
Changes in routine
Caffeine changes

Not every person with migraine has the same triggers.

Keeping a headache diary can help you identify patterns. Record when your symptoms begin, how long they last, what symptoms occur, what you ate or drank, how you slept and other circumstances surrounding the attack.

Discussing that information with your healthcare provider may also make it easier to identify patterns and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Other Types of Headaches

Not every severe headache is a migraine. Understanding other headache types can help explain why an accurate diagnosis matters.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches cause severe pain, usually around or behind one eye, and occur in repeated attacks or “clusters” over a period of time.

Because cluster headaches require appropriate diagnosis and treatment, talk with a healthcare provider if you experience repeated episodes of severe one-sided head pain.

Sinus-Related Headaches

Facial pain and pressure associated with sinus problems can sometimes be mistaken for migraine.

Symptoms associated with a sinus infection may include nasal congestion, facial pressure and other respiratory symptoms.

Because migraine and sinus-related symptoms can overlap, recurring “sinus headaches” are worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

How Are Headaches and Migraines Treated?

Treatment depends on the type of headache, how frequently symptoms occur, their severity, your medical history and other factors.

Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications used during an attack, or preventive treatment for people who experience frequent or disabling migraines.

Your healthcare provider can help determine which approach is appropriate for you. People with persistent or complex symptoms may also benefit from evaluation by a Revere Health Neurology provider.

Avoid starting supplements or changing prescription medications specifically for migraine treatment without discussing them with a qualified healthcare professional.

Can You Prevent Migraines?

Not every migraine can be prevented, but identifying your individual triggers and maintaining healthy routines may help some people manage their attacks.

Helpful habits may include:

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
Eating regular meals
Staying hydrated
Exercising regularly as appropriate
Managing stress
Tracking possible migraine triggers
Following your healthcare provider’s treatment plan

A headache diary can be particularly useful if you experience recurring symptoms.

When Should You See a Doctor for Headaches or Migraines?

Consider making an appointment with a healthcare provider if:

Your headaches are becoming more frequent
Your headaches are becoming more severe
Headaches regularly interfere with work, school, sleep or daily activities
Your usual headache pattern changes
Over-the-counter treatments aren’t providing adequate relief
You experience frequent migraines
You’re unsure whether your symptoms are caused by migraine or another type of headache

A healthcare provider can review your symptoms and medical history and determine whether additional evaluation or treatment may be appropriate.

When Is a Headache an Emergency?

Some headaches require urgent medical evaluation.

Seek emergency medical attention for a sudden, extremely severe headache or when a headache occurs with concerning symptoms such as new weakness, numbness, confusion, loss of consciousness, significant difficulty speaking, severe vision changes, seizure, or other sudden neurological symptoms.

Headache following a significant head injury or accompanied by other severe or rapidly worsening symptoms may also require immediate evaluation. The American Migraine Foundation explains additional headache and migraine warning signs that may warrant emergency care.

When you’re uncertain about severe or unusual symptoms, seek appropriate medical care rather than attempting to diagnose the cause yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions About Headaches and Migraines

How can you tell a migraine from a regular headache?

Migraine is more likely to cause moderate to severe pain along with symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. A common tension headache is more likely to cause mild to moderate pressure or tightness without those additional migraine symptoms.

Symptoms overlap, however, so recurring headaches should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Can you have a migraine without an aura?

Yes. Not everyone with migraine experiences aura.

Can a migraine affect both sides of your head?

Yes. Although migraine is often associated with one-sided head pain, symptoms can occur on both sides.

How long can a migraine last?

The duration varies from person to person and from one attack to another. Talk with a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing prolonged, frequent or changing migraine symptoms.

Why do I keep getting headaches?

Recurring headaches can have many possible causes and triggers. Stress, sleep patterns, migraine and other medical conditions may contribute. If headaches keep returning, a healthcare provider can help identify the type of headache and appropriate next steps.

When should I see a doctor about migraines?

Talk with a healthcare provider when migraines are frequent, worsening, difficult to control or interfering with your normal activities. New or significantly changed headache symptoms also warrant medical evaluation.

Get Help for Recurring Headaches and Migraines

You don’t have to simply work around recurring headaches.

Revere Health providers can evaluate your symptoms, help determine the type of headache you’re experiencing and discuss treatment options based on your individual needs.

For persistent or complex neurological symptoms, Revere Health Neurology provides care for a range of neurological conditions, including chronic headaches.

Find a Revere Health Neurology provider or location

For non-life-threatening symptoms that need prompt evaluation, Revere Health Same-Day Urgent Care offers walk-in care for conditions that require timely medical attention but are not severe enough to warrant an emergency room visit.

Find a Revere Health location near you

Is it a Headache, or is it a Migraine?