What is the Difference Between Cervicogenic Headache and Migraine

Cervicogenic headache and migraine are two distinct types of headaches, each with its own characteristics and underlying causes. Although both can cause significant discomfort and impair daily functioning, their management and treatment approaches may differ.

The key difference between cervicogenic headache and migraine is the underlying cause. Cervicogenic headache is a headache that is caused by a problem in the neck while migraine is a headache caused by changes in the brain and to the genes.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Cervicogenic Headache
3. What is a Migraine
4. Similarities – Cervicogenic Headache and Migraine
5. Cervicogenic Headache vs Migraine in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Cervicogenic Headache vs Migraine
7. FAQ – Cervicogenic Headache vs Migraine

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

Cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that occurs due to problems in the neck. The signs and symptoms of this condition may include pain on one side of the head or face, steady pain that does not throb, head pain when coughing, sneezing, or taking a deep breath, an attack of pain that can last for hours or days, stiff neck and pain that stays in one spot, like the back, front, or side of the head or the eye. Normally, cervicogenic headaches come from problems with the bones in the neck (vertebrae), joints, or neck muscles that happen over time.

Cervicogenic headaches can be diagnosed through questionnaires, physical examinations, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Furthermore, treatment options for cervicogenic headaches may include medicines (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin or ibuprofen), muscle relaxers and other pain relievers, nerve block, physical therapy, spinal manipulation, breathing, yoga, acupuncture, and surgery.

What is Migraine?

A migraine is a neurologic headache that often causes strong headache symptoms. The symptoms of this condition may include a dull ache that grows into throbbing pain, being sensitive to light, sound, or smell, fatigue, food cravings or lack of appetite, mood changes, severe thirst, bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea. Migraine is caused by brain changes such as overactive nerve cells sending out signals that trigger the trigeminal nerve, which gives sensation to the head and face, and other gene changes.

Migraine can be diagnosed through family history, physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan, and electroencephalogram (EEG). Furthermore, treatment options for migraine may include taking over-the-counter pain relievers, taking NSAIDs such as celecoxib, taking, triptans (balancing the chemicals in the brain, CGRP receptor antagonist, taking lasmiditan, a drug that eases pain and nausea, taking other nausea medicine, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation and neuromodulation devices.

Similarities Between Cervicogenic Headache and Migraine

1. Cervicogenic headaches and migraine are two different types of headaches.
2. Both have similar symptoms, such as feeling sick to the stomach, throwing up, having pain in the arm or shoulder, feeling sick in bright light, feeling sick with loud noise, and having blurry vision.
3. Both can be diagnosed through physical symptom evaluation and imaging tests.
4. They can be treated through specific medications and therapies.

Difference Between Cervicogenic Headache and Migraine

Definition

1. Cervicogenic headache is defined as a type of headache that occurs due to problems originating in the neck.
2. Migraine, on the other hand, is characterized by changes in the brain and genetics, leading to recurrent headaches.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Cervicogenic headache presents with pain on one side of the head or face, steady pain without throbbing, exacerbation of pain during activities like coughing, sneezing, or deep breathing, prolonged attacks lasting hours or days, stiffness in the neck, and localized pain.
2. Migraine manifests as a dull ache evolving into throbbing pain, sensitivity to light, sound, or smell, fatigue, food cravings or loss of appetite, mood changes, increased thirst, and gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

Diagnosis

1. Cervicogenic headache diagnosis involves questionnaires, physical examination, and imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI.
2. Migraine diagnosis typically entails considering family history, physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests like MRI, CT scan, and electroencephalogram (EEG).

Treatment

1. Treatment for cervicogenic headache may include medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin or ibuprofen), muscle relaxants, nerve blocks, physical therapy, spinal manipulation, breathing exercises, yoga, acupuncture, and, in severe cases, surgery.
2. Treatment for migraines often involves over-the-counter pain relievers, NSAIDs like celecoxib and triptans, medications targeting brain chemicals, CGRP receptor antagonists, drugs like lasmiditan for pain and nausea, anti-nausea medications, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, and neuromodulation devices.

The infographic below presents the differences between – in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Cervicogenic Headache vs Migraine

Cervicogenic headaches and migraine are two different types of headaches. Both these headache types may have similar symptoms, such as feeling sick to the stomach, throwing up, pain in the arm or shoulder, feeling sick in bright light, feeling sick with loud noise, and having blurry vision. However, a cervicogenic headache is a headache that is caused by a problem in the neck, while migraine is a headache caused by changes in the brain and the genes. Thus, this summarizes the difference between cervicogenic headache and migraine.

FAQ: Cervicogenic Headache and Migraine

1. What does a cervicogenic headache feel like?

• The pain in a cervicogenic headache originates at the back of the neck and radiates along the forehead, area around the eye, temple, and ear. It can also cause pain along the shoulder and arm on the same side, along with reduced flexibility of the neck.

2. How is a cervicogenic headache treated?

• Treatment options for a cervicogenic headache may include nerve blocks, medications, physical therapy, and exercise. Physical therapy and an ongoing exercise regimen often produce the best outcomes for cervicogenic headaches.

3. What are the main triggers of migraines?

• There are multiple triggers that may lead to a migraine attack. Common examples include a drop in estrogen levels, alcohol use, stress, cold weather fronts, and sleep deprivation.

4. What are the symptoms of a severe migraine?

• Symptoms of a severe migraine may include heightened sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, auras, difficulty in speech, and intense pain predominating on one side of the head.

5. How to deal with migraines?

• Drink water to avoid dehydration, especially if vomiting has occurred; rest in a quiet, dark room; place a cool cloth on your head; avoid smoking or drinking coffee or caffeinated drinks; avoid alcoholic beverages; try to sleep; take specific medications; consider single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation and neuromodulation devices.

Reference:

1. “Cervicogenic Headache: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
2. “Migraine.” NHS Choices, NHS.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Headache Head Ache Pain Free Photo” (CC0) via NeedPix
2. “Migraine vs. Headache” By JoanDragonfly (CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr

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