There are many different types of headaches that can result in similar head pain. Knowing the difference between a migraine and tension headache can help you identify the right treatment to stop your headache sooner. It can be scary when you have a sudden headache that won’t go away with over the counter medications. An intense headache can affect your work and social life. Let’s dive in and learn how a migraine and tension headache differ and what you can do about these headaches at home.
What Is A Migraine Headache
Migraines affect over 30 million people in the United States and frequently affects women more than men.
A migraine headache is an intense moderate to severe pain on either side of your head. The pain can be throbbing, pounding, or pulsating and worse with activity. You may experience associated nausea, vomiting, light and noise sensitivity. Some people can have auras with their migraines that can consist of visual changes like blurry vision, flashes, sparklers, or shimmers. Other auras can include weakness, numbness, tingling, or speech difficulty. It may be difficult for you to focus and concentrate during a migraine.
What Is A Tension Headache
Tension headaches are more recurrent than migraines. Most people have experienced at least one tension type headache during their lifetime.
A tension type headache is a gradual build up of mild to moderate pressure or tightening pain in the front or both sides of your head. The pain can feel squeezing, bandlike, or fullness and not worse with activity. There is no nausea, vomiting but there can be associated light and noise sensitivity. Tension type headaches do not have any auras or warning signs. You may feel muscle tightness or stiffness in your neck and around your head. Stress can trigger a tension headache.
Unlike migraines, tension type headaches are less severe, variable duration, and constant pain quality.
Diagnosis of Migraine and Tension Headache
Criteria for headache classifications are described by the International Headache Society (IHS) since 1985. Diagnosis of all headaches start with a detailed history of your symptoms, triggers, and previous treatment. A complete neurological examination will help identify signs of more serious headaches but will often be normal. Your neurologist may send you for brain imaging, either a CT scan or MRI.
Treatment For Migraine and Tension Headache
The treatments for both migraine and tension headaches can be similar and overlap.
Non-pharmaceutical treatment modalities:
- Cold packs
- Improved posture
- Trigger point injection
- Occipital nerve block
- Neck massage and stretching
- Acupuncture
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy, biofeedback, relaxation therapy
- Essential oils
- Neuromodulation device for migraines
Medication treatment begins with over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen, naprosyn, acetaminophen, Excedrin, or aspirin. Most tension type headaches and some migraines will resolve with over-the-counter medications. However, migraines that do not respond to over-the-counter medications will require prescription medications that target the chemicals that cause migraines. Prescription medications for acute migraines include triptans and CGRP antagonists. If you have frequent migraines, there are many preventative medication options that can help reduce migraine frequency, duration and intensity.
You can make an appointment with our headache specialists at Neurotest of New York to discuss options in getting your headaches under control.