What is the Difference Between Migraine and Headaches?

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Comparative Table: Migraine vs Headaches

Here is a table comparing the differences between migraines and headaches:

Feature	Migraine Headaches	Headaches (Tension, Cluster)
Pain Type	Strong throbs or pulses, usually on one or both sides of the head	Dull ache and tightness or pressure, often on both sides of the head
Pain Location	Can be on one side of the head, but usually on both	Often on one side of the head, but can also be on both
Symptoms	Nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, or smells	Tenderness of muscles in the head, neck, and shoulders
Pain Intensity	Can be mild, moderate, or severe	Can be mild, moderate, or severe
Progression	Starts with prodrome, followed by aura, then headache or attack phase, and finally postdrome	Gradual or sudden onset, may last from minutes to days
Causes	Believed to be related to changes in blood flow and blood vessel alterations	Specific cause is unknown, but may be associated with muscle tension or other factors
Triggers	Hormonal changes, stress, sleep disturbances, and certain foods can trigger migraines	Various factors, such as stress, sleep changes, and certain foods, can trigger headaches

Migraines and headaches both cause pain, but they differ in terms of symptoms, pain intensity, progression, and triggers. Migraines typically involve throbbing or pulsating pain, sensitivity to light, sound, or smells, and are often accompanied by nausea or vomiting. In contrast, headaches, such as tension or cluster headaches, usually involve a dull ache or tightness and pressure, and may be associated with tenderness in the head, neck, and shoulders.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.