When your head is pounding, it’s hard to think about
anything besides getting rid of your headache ASAP. But before you reach for a
pain reliever, it’s important to understand whether you’re
dealing with a migraine or a tension headache. Why? It’ll help you
pinpoint the most effective remedy to ease the ache. That’s why
we asked the experts how to differentiate between a migraine vs tension
headache — and the best way to get relief from each.
Migraine vs tension headache
A migraine and a tension headache are two different types of headaches.
In other words, a migraine isn’t just a bad tension headache.
“Many people believe the primary difference is just the intensity
of the pain,” says
Vernon Williams, MD, board-certified neurologist, pain management specialist and founding
director of the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sinai
Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. But the mechanism of a migraine
is different from a tension headache, and the two types of headaches have
different characteristics and symptoms.
What is a tension headache?
When it comes to a migraine vs tension headache, the latter is typically
characterized by a dull pressure or tightness. The exact cause isn’t
fully understood, but experts believe that
tension in the muscles of the face, head and neck may play a role. Tension headaches tend to
come on gradually, and you may feel a “band” of pain around
your forehead or the base of your skull. The pain may subside in as little
as half an hour, but tension headaches can sometimes linger for up to a week.
What is a migraine?
Migraines are less common than tension headaches. A study in
Neurology suggests around
17% of women will experience at least one migraine in a year. Women are three times
as likely as men to get migraines, with prevalence peaking around middle
age. As with tension headaches, experts are still working to understand
the exact cause of migraines. But research suggests they’re caused
by a brain disorder that
affects sensory processing.
Migraines are characterized by a throbbing or pounding pain, often on one
side of the head. This pain is typically more severe than tension headaches,
and may last anywhere from
a few hours to three days. However, one crucial difference between a migraine vs tension headache
is that migraine symptoms may go beyond head pain.
Look for these telltale symptoms
If you’re wondering whether your headache may be a migraine, there
are a few additional symptoms that can help to clue you in.
“With a migraine, you are usually experiencing nausea, sensitivity
to lights and sounds and pain around the temples or eyes,” says
Lauren Thayer, RN, registered nurse at Health Canal. Some people experience visual disturbances
like wavy lines or flashing lights before or during a migraine, Thayer
adds — a symptom known as aura. Migraine aura may also cause tingling,
numbness, ringing in the ears or difficulty speaking clearly.
Note: Migraine aura symptoms can be similar to stroke symptoms. If you’re
experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor
to rule out anything more serious.
How to soothe (and prevent) a migraine
While it’s true that many headache remedies ease discomfort regardless
of the underlying cause, there are a few pinpointed strategies that are
especially helpful for soothing a migraine.
Sip a cup of coffee
Caffeine narrows the blood vessels, which can relieve migraine pain. “Some
headache medications actually contain caffeine as an ingredient,”
Thayer says. However, moderation is key. Research suggests consuming more than
200 mg of caffeine per day may induce headaches for some people. And caffeine
can be a migraine trigger for some people. If you notice that your cuppa seems
to be causing headaches rather than relieving them, adjust your coffee
habits accordingly. (Coffee packs a payload of other health benefits,
too. Click through to learn howchlorogenic acid in coffee balances your blood sugar to ward off diabetes.)
Place an ice pack
here
You might be tempted to put an ice pack on your head when a migraine strikes,
but placing it on your throat can bring more relief. That’s according
to scientists at the University of Hawaii, who found that an ice pack
on your neck cools the blood flowing to the brain, soothing inflammation and
easing pain within 5 minutes.
Block future migraines by tracking your triggers
If you get migraines relatively often, but you’re not quite sure
what’s causing them, Dr. Williams recommends keeping a journal.
When you feel a migraine coming on, write down any details that may help
you identify triggers. Based on the most common culprits, you may want
to make note of:
- Anything causing emotional stress
- Any sleep issues or changes to your sleep schedule
- The weather
- Where you are in your menstrual cycle
- Exposure to bright lights or strong smells
- What you ate or drank recently (or conversely, if you were dehydrated or
skipped your morning coffee)
“After a few entries, you may begin to see a pattern emerge,”
Dr. Williams says. “It’s worth the effort.”
Also smart: Checking pre-packaged foods and drink labels for aspartame.
Research suggests it’s a common
migraine trigger. This artificial sweetener (also known as Equal, NutraSweet or Sugar Twin)
can be found in some sugar-free sodas, chewing gums, gelatin, coffee creamers
and syrups. If you get migraines often, consider cutting out foods that
contain this ingredient.
How to soothe (and prevent) a tension headache
The one good thing about a tension headache? It’s often far easier
to treat that a migraine. Here’s what can help.
Massage with mint
Peppermint a powerhouse tension headache reliever. And simply massaging
diluted peppermint oil into your temples
works as well as some meds to ease tension headaches, research suggests. The cooling compound in
peppermint,
menthol, prevents muscle contractions in the head and neck that trigger tension
headaches. Plus it improves blood flow to the area to relieve tightness
and pain. To use, simply mix 3-5 drops of peppermint essential oil into
1 Tbs. of vegetable oil and gently rub the mixture into your temples using
your fingertips. (Interested in more ways a gentle massage can provide
relief? Click through to learn how a
masseter muscle massage calms head pain, too.)
Try an OTC pain reliever
“Tension headaches are usually easily treated with over-the-counter
medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin,” Thayer
says. Some OTC headache medications combine aspirin, acetaminophen and
caffeine for added relief. But others are just repackaged versions of
standard pain relievers, so read the list of active ingredients carefully.
Block future tension headaches by skipping a nightcap
If you like to unwind with a glass of wine at night, that could be contributing
to your tension headaches. Not only is alcohol itself a
common trigger for tension headaches, but drinking alcohol within four hours of bedtime
can also interfere with your sleep quality. That’s key, since sleep
disturbances are another
top cause of head pain.
When to visit your doctor
If you’re experiencing frequent or severe headaches, don’t
think you have to just tough it out. Talk to your primary care physician,
or schedule an appointment with a headache specialist who can help you
find an effective treatment plan. This is especially important if you’re
experiencing migraines, which may escalate if they’re not treated
appropriately, Dr. Williams cautions.