| By Gale Staff |
Almost everyone experiences a headache now and then—whether from too much screen time, skipping a meal, or getting stuck in traffic after a long day. But for those who suffer from migraines, the experience is much more intense. Understanding the difference between a headache and a migraine is essential to finding the right kind of relief.
A headache refers broadly to pain in the head, face, or neck. It can present as dull, sharp, or throbbing, and may feel like a pressure or vice-like grip. Duration varies from minutes to days. There are over 150 types of headaches, most categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary headaches, such as tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines, are not caused by another medical condition. Secondary headaches, however, result from other health problems like sinus infections, head injuries, or even medication overuse.
Migraines, while classified as primary headaches, tend to be more intense and disruptive than headaches. Typically, a migraine involves pulsing or throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. It’s often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, or even odors. Some people experience a phenomenon called an “aura” consisting of visual disturbances like flashing lights, blind spots, or zigzag lines that warn them a migraine is about to begin.
Unlike typical headaches, migraines can be debilitating, often lasting for hours or even days. This is why proper identification and treatment are so important.
Migraines are also common. They affect approximately 12% of the U.S. population and are more frequently reported in women. Most people who experience migraines first encounter them during adolescence or early adulthood. Globally, migraines are among the leading causes of disability, especially in individuals under age 50.
Triggers vary widely. Headaches may result from stress, dehydration, poor posture, lack of sleep, or skipped meals. Migraines are often triggered by hormonal fluctuations, specific foods like aged cheese or chocolate, bright lights, strong smells, weather changes, and emotional stress. Genetic factors also play a role.
To diagnose migraines, healthcare providers typically begin by reviewing the patient’s medical history and symptoms. Questions may focus on headache frequency, duration, severity, and triggers. In some cases, imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans may be used to rule out other conditions if your symptoms are unusual, severe, or persistent.
For occasional tension or mild headaches, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin are often effective. Simple strategies—such as staying hydrated, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, managing stress, and limiting screen exposure—can also help prevent them. Migraines, on the other hand, often require more targeted treatments. Medications to stop an attack include triptans and anti-nausea drugs. For those with frequent migraines, preventive medications like beta-blockers, certain antidepressants, or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors may be prescribed. CGRP inhibitors work by targeting a neuropeptide involved in migraine pain and are available in oral, injectable, or nasal spray formulations.
Non-pharmaceutical strategies remain a key part of migraine management. Keeping a symptom diary, identifying and avoiding triggers, sticking to a daily routine, and engaging in stress-reducing practices such as yoga or meditation can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
Recent research has offered new hope for individuals who experience warning signs before a migraine begins. In a clinical trial involving 438 adults ages 18 to 75 with a history of migraines, the medication ubrogepant was shown to reduce non-headache symptoms—such as fatigue, brain fog, and light sensitivity—that occur during the prodrome phase, the hours leading up to a migraine.
Ubrogepant, which blocks specific pain-related receptors in the brain, was taken by participants as soon as prodrome symptoms began. Compared to a placebo, those who took the drug experienced quicker and more complete relief. Improvements included better concentration within one hour, reduced light sensitivity after two hours, decreased fatigue and neck pain at three hours, and less dizziness and sound sensitivity between four and 24 hours.
While ubrogepant is already approved to treat active migraine attacks, these findings suggest it may also help interrupt the onset of migraines before they fully develop. This makes it a potentially valuable option for patients who recognize early symptoms and want to act quickly.
The bottom line? Not all headaches are created equal. For individuals regularly affected by headaches or migraines—or the symptoms that precede them—consulting a healthcare provider can be life-changing. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, it’s possible to reduce the burden of migraines and regain control over daily life.
