Headaches vs Migraines: How Can You Tell the Difference?

Everyone suffers from headaches at least once in their life, and for some, it happens much more frequently — it is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world. But while most headaches are one-offs with easy fixes, sometimes they can be a lot worse. Migraines are a type of headache classified as a chronic condition and can derail your daily routine. While migraines aren’t usually a symptom of an underlying medical condition, they can be very difficult to deal with. But how do you know if you’re experiencing a headache or a migraine? Let’s take a look at the causes and symptoms and treatment of headache as well as migraines. 

What is a headache?

There are over 150 different types of headaches, broken into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary headaches stand alone, they aren’t caused by an underlying medical condition. Secondary headaches are usually a side-effect or symptom of another issue. Generally speaking, headaches are caused by the triggering of nerves and blood vessels in the head and face. However, specific types of headaches can be caused by several things from a person’s lifestyle and diet to their genetic makeup. You may have heard of a tension headache, for example, which can be brought on by stress, or a caffeine headache which can come from ingesting too much caffeine as the name suggests. Different types of headaches affecting different parts of the head and face are marked by a different type of pain and often require different treatments.

So how can you recognize a migraine?

Migraines come under the primary headache category and affect approximately one billion people worldwide. Experts haven’t been able to highlight a particular cause, though a strong genetic link has been found. They can also be triggered by environmental factors like lack of sleep or dehydration. Migraines are defined by intense pulsing deep within your head that can last for days and severely limits your ability to carry out your daily routine. It is throbbing pain, usually one-sided, and can make a person extremely sensitive to light and sound. Some migraines may be preceded by visual disturbances like flashing or shimmering lights, zigzag lines, stars, or blind spots.

Let’s look at them side by side:

In this case, let’s compare migraines to another common type of primary headache — the tension headache.

 

	Tension Headache	Migraine
Causes	Muscle contractions in  the head and neck caused by certain foods, activities, or stressors: Cold and flu Poor posture Dehydration Skipping meals Eyestrain Fatigue	Strong genetic link Can be triggered by: Hormonal changes Consumption of alcohol or caffeine Stress Sensory stimuli (bright lights or sun glare) Physical exertion Change in the sleep cycle Medication Changes in weather Certain foods or food additives
Symptoms	Dull, consistent pain throughout your head Pressure around the forehead Tenderness in the neck, shoulders, forehead, or scalp	Subtle warning signs a few days before an attack (known as Prodrome stage) Constipation Mood swings Food cravings Stiffness in neck Increased thirst and urination Frequent yawning Reversible symptoms of the nervous system before or during the attack (known as the Aura stage) Seeing shapes, bright spots, or flashes Vision loss Pins and needles in an arm or leg Weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body Difficulty speaking Hearing noise or music Uncontrollable jerking or movement Headache lasting from 4 to 72 hours (known as an attack) Pain, usually on one side of the head  Throbbing or pulsing pain Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch Nausea and vomiting Exhaustion post-attack (known as post-drome)
Treatment	Over-the-counter painkillers Hydration Rest Regulate sleep cycle and eating habits	Over-the-counter painkillers Prescription painkillers Triptans Daily-dose preventative medication (severe cases) Lifestyle changes Meditation and relaxation Regulate sleeping and eating habits Hydration Frequent exercise Stem Cell Therapy

 

When you compare the two, it can be quite easy to see the stark difference between migraines and headaches. While they can both have the same triggers, migraines are much more severe when they occur. However, because the two have similar triggers, the same lifestyle changes may help moderate both. That being said, it is clear that migraines require a more intensive treatment plan, often with the involvement of a medical professional. 

Stem Cell Therapy and Chronic Migraines

Because migraines are tied to inflammation in the brain, Stem Cell Therapy is a viable option in their treatment. Stem cells are cells that aren’t assigned a particular role in the body, so they can adapt to become anything from blood cells to muscle cells, or in this case brain cells. They are also prized for their detoxifying and regenerative properties. When extracted from a patient’s bone marrow and processed, these cells can heal damaged sections of the body at a cellular level. For people dealing with chronic migraines, this could help deal with symptoms more effectively than medication by helping mitigate the biological causes of the condition. Finding a long-term solution for your chronic migraine may be as easy as searching for the best neurologist in Bangalore. 

If you or a loved one suffer from frequent headaches, it may be worth your while to see a medical professional for a diagnosis. And if you learn that what you thought was simply an unusually severe headache was, in fact, a migraine, don’t worry — there a myriad of treatment options out there to help keep attacks under control from stronger painkillers to lifestyle changes to booking an appointment at a neurological center in Bangalore. Remember, you’re one of 1 billion people living with the condition, and you can still live a full and happy life despite it!