Do You Have Tension Headaches or Migraines?

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You know how frustrating it can be to try to function with a headache, or worse, a migraine. When I was suffering from headaches or migraines on an almost daily basis, the lines blurred when it came to what type of headache I had. Sometimes my headaches would start as a tension headache which would then evolve into a full-blown Migraine. All I knew was how much they hurt – and how much I wanted to be rid of them!!

Did you know that headaches are actually among the top 10 most disabling conditions worldwide, and they affect more than half of the global population (¹)?

Actually, according to Migraine Again, there are more than 300 different types! That to me is mind-boggling. I’m sure that makes it very difficult to get the right diagnosis and treatment (²).

In this series, I am going to talk about the two most common types of headaches – tension headache and Migraine. These are known as primary headaches, which means they are not caused by another type of issue.

It can be confusing for sure, and there is information overload on the internet. So how do you tell which one is which?

Tension headaches make you feel as if there is a tight band around your head whereas Migraine pain usually feels like a throbbing pain. The pain associated with a tension-type headache feels different from Migraine pain.

Tension Headache

As I mentioned, tension headaches feel as if there is a tight headband that is too tight and feels as if it is squeezing your head. It can also feel like there’s a heavy weight attached to your head. To go along with that, your neck or shoulder muscles may also hurt or feel sore along with the headache. This can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days and can either be a constant pain or one that comes and goes. (³).

Migraine

Migraine usually feels more like a throbbing headache which often is on one side of the head. It is so severe that it can be debilitating.

Migraine is so much more than just a headache. Migraine is a neurological disorder that affects the senses, body, and mind.

We don’t just feel the pain of Migraine in the head. It often extends to the sinuses, ears, teeth, neck, and more. It can involve sensitivity to light and sound, nausea or vomiting, mood change and much more. (See the complete list of symptoms from Migraine Again here).

To really help identify your headache type, it will help if you understand how both types of headaches can be both the same, yet very different.

Note: It is possible to have a mixture of both types of headache going on at one time.

According to the World Health Organization, anywhere from 30% to 78% of the global population lives with tension headaches. On the other hand, Migraine is less common and, according to Dr. Zaza Katsavara, Migraine affects about 18% of women and 8% of men worldwide. (4) Migraine is now the third most prevalent illness in the world and affects nearly one billion people – including men, women, and children. Statistics also show that in the U.S., it is estimated that 1 out of every 4 households includes a person living with Migraine (⁵). Those are shocking statistics, don’t you think?

Causes and Symptoms

We know that stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep are common triggers of both tension headache but according to the medical community, experts still feel that the cause of Migraine still remains somewhat of a mystery. Most experts agree, however, that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. In fact, 70% of people with Migraine have at least one close relative who also lives it (⁶).

Neurologists believe that Migraine is a result of faulty wiring within the brain. The trigeminal nerve system includes branches of nerves spread out over the face, and it is thought to play a key role in Migraine. It’s this abnormal brain activity that can cause head pain, nausea, exhaustion, and the other symptoms of a Migraine attack (⁷).

A side-by-side comparison of the common symptoms of TTH and Migraine helps to compare and contrast the two (⁸):

Note: This list shows the most common differences but is not an exhaustive list.

In this blog series, we will talk a little more about some common triggers for both tension headaches and Migraine, treatment types and prevention, and of course, I will finish up with some natural remedies to help.

HEALTHY RECIPE – Eggs and Toast