At some point or another, we have all likely felt the dull throb or needling pain of a headache, whether due to dehydration, illness, or mere frustration; headaches are not an uncommon occurrence. According to the World Health Organization, over one-half of women and one-third of men are affected by headache disorders. Migraines, similarly, are incredibly common, with more than one billion people affected worldwide, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Given the high incidence of head pain, it can be difficult to narrow down the source. So, how do headaches differ from migraines?
Migraine vs. Headache
The main differentiating factor between headaches and migraines is that headaches are a symptom, and migraines are a neurologic disease. Those who have migraines can experience headaches during a migraine attack; however, it’s only one of a series of symptoms often felt by the migraineur during an attack. Other symptoms include nausea or vomiting, vision changes, sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells, among other things. Some migraine attacks occur without any headache at all. For instance, vestibular migraines result in episodic dizziness (vertigo, etc.).
To illustrate, consider headaches as a category of fruit, while migraines represent a specific type, like an apple. They have commonalities, but there are key differences between the two.
What Makes a Headache a Migraine?
If headaches may signal a more serious underlying condition, how can one distinguish between a run-of-the-mill headache and a migraine? A key indicator that suggests migraine as opposed to a headache is that most migraines typically progress in a similar process consisting of four phases.
Prodrome
The beginning cycle of a headache is called prodrome. This phase involves many of the warning signs that migraineurs need to pay attention to in order to prevent a headache. You may experience mood changes, sleep issues, and trouble focusing during this phase. Prodrome typically begins within 24 hours of a headache.
Aura
Those who experience the aura phase typically will develop vision changes (a visual “aura” over the eyes) around 5-60 minutes before a headache begins. During this phase, you may also experience sensitivity to touch, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), confusion, trouble speaking, or muscle weakness
Headache
Perhaps the most well-known phase of a migraine, the headache phase, is characterized by extreme, pulsating pain typically experienced on one side of the face (although migraine-related head pain can also be felt in other or multiple areas, depending on the individual).
Postdrome
Postdrome is the final stage of a migraine attack. During this phase, migraineurs frequently experience fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Many compare this stage to a terrible hangover. People may also still experience lingering head discomfort.
Not every migraineur goes through all four phases. For some, migraines come on fast, without warning. For others, the headache may last longer than normal. To understand exactly how a migraine will affect you, you may need to keep a headache journal to identify your triggers and outline characteristics of your migraine attack. This information will be helpful for your neurologist when developing a treatment plan to best manage your condition.
Migraine & Headache Differences
Several important distinctions exist between migraines and headaches, particularly regarding where the pain is felt. Migraines typically affect one area of the face rather than the entire head. Additionally, migraines are often accompanied by other concerning symptoms including sensitivity to light, an “aura” that can obstruct your vision, nausea, and more.
Another key difference is frequency. If you have headaches frequently and often at the same time, it may be a sign of a migraine. Migraines also often have triggers, whereas a typical headache may not require any kind of triggers. Changes in the weather, your sleep schedule, strong smells, menstrual cycle, and even drinking a cup of coffee or a glass of wine are common migraine triggers. Unfortunately, each migraineur’s triggers are unique so they may not be easily identifiable without the use of a headache journal or consultation with a neurologist.
When to See a Doctor for Head Pain
Experiencing head pain for any reason is concerning. If you experience frequent headaches or significant head pain during a headache, it’s advisable to reach out to a qualified medical professional for further information. Most cases of migraines can be diagnosed by a trusted primary care provider; however, some people do need additional follow-up with a neurologist for specific symptoms and treatment. Not everyone responds the same way to migraine treatments, so many professionals treat migraineurs on a case-by-case basis, taking each patient’s unique needs, lifestyle, and medical history into account.
Some headache symptoms shouldn’t wait for a visit to the doctor’s office. Seek immediate medical attention at an urgent care center or emergency room if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Vision loss
- Speech problems
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness on one side of the face or body
- Loss of consciousness
- Excess vomiting
Headache & Migraine Treatment in Hampton Roads, VA
Don’t let head pain remain unaddressed. Make an appointment with a TPMG primary care provider in Hampton Roads, VA or contact TPMG Neurology in Newport News or Williamsburg, VA.
About Ugur Anatolian, MD
Dr. Ugur Anatolian is a board-certified, fellowship-trained Neurologist with an extensive medical and academic background. After earning his medical degree at Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, he completed his residency training in Urology and came to the United States as a visiting professor of Urology. Dr. Anatolian completed four years of research, a clinical fellowship in Neurology, an internship in medicine, residency training in neurology, and a clinical neurophysiology fellowship at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. He joined TPMG in 2014.
Dr. Anatolian practices at TPMG Neurology at Williamsburg.
