I have a headache: is it a tension headache or a migraine?
Who hasn’t, at one time or another, suffered from a nasty headache? For some, this discomfort affects them only a few times a year, while others suffer from it frequently. Depending on your symptoms, it’s possible to determine whether your headache is a tension headache or a migraine. We’ll help you differentiate between these conditions, which are the cause of many headaches.
Types of headache
Tension headache and migraine are both primary headaches, i.e. they are not the symptom of other pathologies. Secondary headaches, on the other hand, may be due to disorders of the brain, eyes, nose, throat, sinuses, teeth, jaws, ears, neck or a systemic disorder. That’s why it’s important to determine whether headaches are linked to an underlying pathology.
| Symptoms | Tension headache | Migraine |
| One side hurts more than the other | X | |
| Pulsations (blows to the head) | X | |
| Intensity | Mild to moderate | Moderate to severe |
| More intense pain during physical effort | X | |
| Nausea | X | |
| Difficulty tolerating light and sound | X | |
| Seizure duration, untreated | 30 minutes to 7 days | 4 to 72 hours |
| Causes | Lower-than-average pain threshold, stress, sleep disorders, jaw joint disorder, neck pain, eye strain | Risk factors (genetics, age, gender [women are generally more affected]), hormonal changes, emotional stress, certain foods (processed foods, deli meats, aged cheeses, aspartame, monosodium glutamate), skipping meals, alcohol, caffeine, sensory overload, changes in sleep patterns, physical exhaustion, weather changes, medication. |
| For pain relief (over-the-counter analgesic for adults) * For pain relief ( over-the-counter analgesic for adults) * For pain relief ( over-the-counter analgesic for adults) | Acetaminophen (Tylenol®): analgesic recommended for its rapid onset of action and pain relief. | Ibuprofen (Advil®): non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) recommended when headaches persist after taking acetaminophen. We suggest taking it with food. |
* Always read the label and follow the instructions. Take onlyONE medicine containing an active ingredient at a time.
When to consult?
In the case of migraines, over-the-counter medication may not be enough. It’s best to consult your doctor, who can diagnose your condition and prescribe an anti-migraine medication. In addition, taking a preventive medication every day may be recommended to reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraines. In the case of secondary headaches, your doctor will look for the exact cause of your pain, in order to make a diagnosis and suggest the appropriate treatment.
Note that it is important to consult a healthcare professional promptly, for any new headache that is different or more intense than usual.
