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Differences in headaches and migraines: type of pain
Headaches are not just headaches and everyone feels the pain differently. The type of pain can show whether migraine treatment brings long-term relief or whether another pain therapy is needed. It can often be used to distinguish the frequent tension headaches from a migraine.
The difference between different types of headaches and migraines lies, among other things, in the localization . While tension headaches usually affect both sides of the head, migraines are usually unilateral . Only about a third of patients feel the migraine pain on both sides of the head.¹ Those affected also describe the tension headache as dull, pressing or pulling. They feel like the famous vise around your head.
Migraines , on the other hand, torment patients with pulsating or intensely throbbing pain . Some sufferers describe it as a “thunderstorm in the head”, others as the pricks of countless needles or the roar of a jackhammer in the head.
Incidentally, the intensity of the pain says nothing about whether it is a migraine or other headache. It can also be very intense with other types of headache, just as some migraines are perceived by patients as more moderate.
It is similar with the duration of pain. It also doesn’t help much with the distinction, since migraine attacks tend to be brief and other types of headache can sometimes last longer and even last for days.
Differences in headaches and migraines: exercise
Exercise can sometimes help to tell the difference between other headaches and migraines. If you suffer from tension headaches, for example, moderate exercise – preferably in the fresh air – is often good for you. The pain usually subsides and patients feel better again.
It’s different with a real migraine. Here, the symptoms are aggravated even further by movement. This also applies to light exercise like a walk. People with migraines are more likely to need rest during an attack . Daylight doesn’t do many people any good. You’d rather withdraw and give your body a rest until the attack is over. A walk can be very revealing when it comes to the question of whether it is a migraine or another headache.
Differences in headaches and migraines: side effects
While headaches often occur alone, migraines usually have other symptoms as well. They can occur during the attack or even announce an attack hours or even days before. The following accompanying symptoms are typical of a migraine:
- Indigestion : People become nauseous, vomit, or have diarrhea before or during the attack.
- sensitive sensory perception : patients are more sensitive to light or noise. Some find certain smells unpleasant, for example those of food, perfume or flowers.
- Disturbance of perception : In some affected areas of skin, especially on the face and arms, become temporarily numb or they feel tingling, pins and needles or the like
- Non- specific symptoms: migraines are sometimes accompanied by tiredness, listlessness or problems concentrating.
In addition, migraines can be recognized by the so-called aura. Doctors understand this to mean optical phenomena such as lines or flashes that those affected see. The migraine with aura occurs in about 15 to 25 percent of migraine sufferers.²
Headaches or migraines: why the distinction is so important
In addition to migraines and tension headaches, there are a number of other types of headaches. According to the International Headache Society, there are more than 240.³ And the causes of headaches are as varied as they are. An accurate diagnosis is therefore important for successful treatment. Sometimes headaches are just a symptom. In other cases, they are the actual disease. Doctors speak of secondary or primary headaches .
In addition to targeted treatment, knowledge of the cause also helps to avoid possible triggers for the symptoms. In this way, migraine sufferers can avoid stress , lack of sleep or certain foods . Tension headaches are usually caused by muscular tension . If these are released or if those affected avoid new tension, the frequency and intensity of the headaches usually decrease.
¹ Nobis, Hans-Günter: Pain – a challenge. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag 22016. P. 22.
² German Migraine and Headache Society (o. A.): Migraine. Retrieved from: http://www.dmkg.de/patienten/were-answering-on-the-important-questions-round-um-den-headache-onlinebroschuere/online_broschuere_migraene.html (09/16/2021).
³ Totzeck, A./Diener, H.-C.: “Migraine.” In: Gaul, C./Diener, H.-C. (Ed.): Headache. Stuttgart: Thieme-Verlag 2016. P. 201.).
