Migraine vs Headache: What is the Difference?

In day-to-day life, it’s not uncommon for the terms ’migraine’ and ‘headache’ to be used somewhat interchangeably. And while that may work for communicating that you are experiencing pain in your head, headaches and migraines are not the same thing.

In this blog post, we’ll quickly cover the difference between a migraine vs headache, including an overview on the four main stages of migraines and migraine treatment options..

Let’s get started!

Migraines vs Headaches: The Basic Differences

So, what’s the difference between a migraine and a headache?

The term ‘headache’ refers to a general pain or pressure that is felt in the head. This pain or pressure can occur on both sides of the head and may range from a mild headache to a more severe one. There are a variety of types of headaches that have different causes, ranging from stress to dehydration, and more.

Migraines, meanwhile, are a type of headache. But these headaches are actually neurological disorders. People who experience headaches will feel intense, throbbing pain on one side of the head. Other symptoms may present along with this pain including nausea, visual disturbances and sensitivity to sound or light. Migraines are also typically more debilitating and longer lasting than regular headaches.

Up to 20% of the U.S. population will experience a migraine at some point in their life. Up to two-thirds of those who suffer from migraines are women.

Here are the basic differences between migraines and headaches:

• Migraines are a type of headache
• Migraines are neurological disorders
• Migraines generally present themselves in a localized region of the head, while headaches occur more generally in the head area
• Migraines are typically more debilitating than headaches
• Migraines may involve other symptoms unrelated to pain in the head

Now that we have a basic understanding of what makes headaches and migraines different, let’s quickly cover the four common migraine stages.

The Four Stages of Migraines and Their Symptoms

There are four recognized stages of a migraine headache. Not all patients experience all stages. In this section, we’ll cover each migraine stage to help you get a better understanding of this condition.

Migraine First Stage: Prodrome

The prodrome stage occurs 1-2 days before a migraine. Some of the symptoms experienced during this stage are:

• Constipation
• Depression
• Increased food cravings
• Neck tightness and stiffness
• Increased thirst and urination
• Aura symptoms

Migraine Second Stage: Aura

Most of our San Diego patients do not experience an aura. Auras are neurological visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or wavy, zigzag vision. Sometimes auras can also be touching sensations (sensory), movement (motor) or speech (verbal) disturbances. Your muscles may get weak, or you may feel as though someone is touching you. Each of these symptoms begins gradually and builds up over several minutes up to an hour.

Examples of aura are:

• Visual disturbances such as flashes of light or bright spots
• Vision loss
• Pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg
• Numbness or weakness in the face or one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking
• Hearing music or noises
• Uncontrollable jerking movements

Migraine Third Stage: Migraine Attack

A migraine usually lasts between 4 to 72 hours, and the frequency of attacks varies greatly. Attack symptoms are:

• Pain on one side or both sides of your head
• Pain that feels throbbing or pulsing
• Sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes smells and touch
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Lightheadedness, sometimes followed by fainting

Migraine Fourth Stage: Post-drome

The final phase is post-drome, and occurs after a migraine attack. Patients feel exhausted, washed out and drained. For the following 24 hours, the following symptoms may occur:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Moodiness
• Weakness
• Sensitivity to light and sound

To wrap up, let’s quickly cover what causes migraines and how to find relief, including links to resources elsewhere on the Intouch Chiropractic website.

What Causes Migraines

Although severe migraines may be caused by many different factors, scientists do not know exactly why migraines occur. It is believed that the pain is associated with blood vessel swelling and irritation to the nerves that surround the brain.

However, most experts don’t believe that these are direct causes of migraines. The brain does not have pain receptors, but it does have pain processing centers. It is believed that these centers or networks are hypersensitive or dysfunctional such as with chiari malfunction.

Migraine Relief

A recent clinical study, Effect of Atlas Vertebrae Realignment in Subjects with Migraine: An Observational Pilot StudyEffect of Atlas Vertebrae Realignment in Subjects with Migraine: An Observational Pilot Study, states that “atlas realignment intervention may be associated with a reduction in migraine frequency and marked improvement in quality of life yielding significant reduction in headache-related disability.”

The full journal article is available through BioMed Research International. NUCCA doctors specialize in adjusting the top bone in the neck, also known as atlas. You can learn more about NUCCA chiropractic care for migraine treatment at our blog.

Call our office today at (619) 756-7510 or request an appointment here.