Migraine vs Headache: Symptoms, Triggers & Treatment

Learn the difference between migraine and ordinary headaches, common triggers, warning symptoms and when a headache needs medical evaluation.

Not Every Headache Is a Migraine

Headaches can have many causes.

Migraine is a neurological disorder that can produce moderate to severe headache along with other symptoms.

Common migraine features

Migraine may involve:

• Throbbing or pulsating pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to sound
• Worsening with physical activity

Some people experience an aura, which may include temporary visual or sensory symptoms.

Common triggers

Possible triggers include:

• Poor sleep
• Skipped meals
• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Certain foods
• Dehydration
• Excessive caffeine or sudden caffeine withdrawal

Triggers vary from person to person.

When is headache an emergency?

Seek urgent medical evaluation for a sudden, extremely severe headache, especially if it is accompanied by weakness, speech difficulty, confusion, seizure, fever with neck stiffness, fainting or other neurological symptoms.

Frequent headaches should also be assessed rather than treated repeatedly with over-the-counter medicines.