The key difference between tension headache and migraine is that tension headache typically causes a steady ache or discomfort-like feeling in the head, while migraine typically causes severe throbbing or pounding-like feeling in the head.
Headache is a very common condition that most people experience during their lifetime. The main symptom of the headache is pain in the head or face. There are several types of headaches, and all of them fall into two main categories: primary (tension headache, migraine, cluster headache, and new daily persistent headache) and secondary headaches (dehydration headache, sinus headache, and medication overuse headache). Tension headaches and migraine are two different types of primary headaches.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Tension Headache
3. What is Migraine
4. Similarities – Tension Headache and Migraine
5. Tension Headache vs Migraine in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Tension Headache vs Migraine
What is Tension Headache?
Tension headache is a type of primary headache that typically causes a steady ache or a feeling of discomfort in the head. It is the most common type of headache that causes pain in both sides of the head. Moreover, tension headaches generally do not cause nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or throbbing-like feeling in the head. Several factors can lead to tension headaches: genetic and environmental factors, muscle contractions in the brain and stressful events, or hectic days. The common symptoms in this condition may include the slow onset of headache, pain on both sides of the head, dull pain that feels like a band around the head, pain that involves the back of the head and neck, and mild to moderate pain in the head.
Figure 01: Tension Headache
Moreover, tension headaches can be diagnosed through physical and medical examinations, blood tests, sinus X-rays, MRI, and CT scans. Furthermore, treatment options for tension headaches include going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day, exercising regularly, eating regular meals without skipping (especially breakfast), resting in a quiet, dark environment, and stress management through yoga, massage, or other relaxation exercises, and taking medications recommended by a health care provider.
What is Migraine?
Migraine is a type of primary headache that typically causes severe throbbing or a pounding-like feeling in the head. The typical symptoms of this condition may include constipation, mood changes, food cravings, stiffness in the neck, increased urination, fluid retention, yawning frequently, visual impairment such as seeing various shapes, bright spots and flashes of light, vision loss, pins and needle sensation in arms or legs, difficulties in speaking, pain on one side of the head, pain that pulses or throbs, nausea and vomiting, and feeling drained, confused, and washed out after migraine attack. Moreover, migraine is caused by genetic and environmental factors and other triggers such as hormone changes in the women, drinks (alcohols or coffee), stress, sensory stimuli (bright or flashing light), sleep changes, physical factors (intense physical exertion), weather changes, medications (oral contraceptive and vasodilators like nitroglycerin), food (aged cheeses and other salty processed foods), and food additives (monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Figure 02: Migraine
Migraine can be diagnosed through medical history, symptoms, physical and neurological examination, MRI, and CT scan. Furthermore, migraine is treated through pain relief medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, triptans, dihydroergotamine, lasmiditan, ubrogepant, CGRP antagonist, opioids, anti-nausea drugs) and preventive medications (blood pressure lowering medications, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, Botox injections, and CGRP monoclonal antibodies).
What are the Similarities Between A and B?
- Tension headaches and migraine are two different types of primary headaches.
- Both conditions mainly cause pain in the head.
- They can be caused by genetic and environmental conditions.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical signs, blood tests, and imaging tests.
- They are treated through specific medications, special therapies, and lifestyle and home remedies.
What is the Difference Between Tension Headache and Migraine?
Tension headache typically causes a steady ache or discomfort-like feeling in the head, while migraine typically causes severe throbbing or pounding-like feeling in the head. Thus, this is the key difference between tension headache and migraine. Furthermore, tension headache is a less severe condition than a migraine.
The below infographic presents the differences between tension headache and migraine in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Tension Headache vs Migraine
Tension headaches and migraine are two different types of primary headaches. Both conditions are mainly characterized by pain in the head. However, tension headache typically causes a steady ache or discomfort-like feeling in the head, while migraine typically causes severe throbbing or pounding-like feeling in the head. Tension headache is a less severe condition compared to migraine, which is a severe condition. So, this summarizes the difference between tension headache and migraine.
Reference:
1. “Migraine.” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Tension Headache: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Tension-headache” By Shanghai killer whale – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Phases of Migraine” By JoanDragonfly (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr