What is the difference between a tension headache and a migraine?

Author: Samson Prohaska  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

A tension headache feels like tightness or pressure on both sides of your head. Migraine pain tends to be throbbing, and you may feel it more on one side of your head. Migraine includes other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light, and sometimes sensory disturbances like seeing flashing lights.

How do you know if you have a tension headache or a migraine?

The pain of a tension headache is dull and happens on both sides of the head. You may feel tightness or pressure in your head. Migraines, on the other hand, occur on only one side or are worse on one side. They are characterized by a severe throbbing or pulsing pain.

Can a tension headache turn into a migraine?

Meanwhile, at least two out of three adults in the US suffer from tension headaches. A mixed-tension migraine combines the symptoms of these two conditions. In some cases, a migraine can come first and trigger tension headache symptoms. In others, stress caused by the tension headache triggers a migraine.

What triggers tension headaches?

What causes tension headaches?
  • feeling stressed, tired, anxious or depressed.
  • poor posture at work, home or when driving.
  • bright, noisy environments.
  • eye strain from long periods of reading or screen use.
  • smoking.
  • dehydration or withdrawal from caffeine.
  • overuse of pain-relief medicines.

How do you relieve a tension headache?

Or apply ice or a cool washcloth to the forehead. Massage also can relieve muscle tension — and sometimes headache pain. Gently massage your temples, scalp, neck and shoulders with your fingertips, or gently stretch your neck.

What’s the difference between a tension headache and a migraine?

How long should a tension headache last?

Episodic tension-type headaches can last from 30 minutes to a week. Frequent episodic tension-type headaches occur less than 15 days a month for at least three months.

What does a dehydration headache feel like?

Pain from a dehydration headache can range from mild to severe. You may feel pain all over your head or in just one spot, like at the back, front or side. The pain usually feels like a dull ache, but it can also be sharp or stabbing. You may have a throbbing (pounding) headache, or the pain might be constant.

What is the number one cause of tension headaches?

Tension headache
  • Physical or emotional stress.
  • Alcohol use.
  • Caffeine (too much or withdrawal)
  • Colds, the flu, or a sinus infection.
  • Dental problems such as jaw clenching or teeth grinding.
  • Eye strain.
  • Excessive smoking.
  • Fatigue or overexertion.

What is the best position to sleep in with a tension headache?

Adjust the way you sleep: Try sleeping on your back or on your side with a body pillow and your neck in neutral posture. Exercise and stretch: Use a therapy cane or a hard therapy ball to massage out or stretch your neck and shoulder muscles.

What does a pre-stroke headache feel like?

People describe a stroke-related headache as a very severe headache that comes on within seconds or minutes. Oftentimes, the area affected by the headache is directly related to where the stroke occurs.

What is the first line of treatment for tension headaches?

Pain relievers.

Pain relievers available without a prescription are usually the first line of treatment for reducing headache pain. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).

What can tension headaches be mistaken for?

Sinus or Allergies: Low-grade sinus disease can also mimic the symptoms of a tension-type headache.

What does a high blood pressure headache feel like?

The severity of these headaches can vary from mild to severe. Some people experience a dull ache behind their eyes, while others experience throbbing pain in the temples. Hypertension headaches are often accompanied by nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.

What part of your head hurts when you have a migraine?

Pain usually on one side of your head, but often on both sides. Pain that throbs or pulses. Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch. Nausea and vomiting.

How do you flush out a migraine?

Home Remedies for Migraines
  1. 1/11. Cool It Down. Put an ice pack on your forehead, scalp, or neck to get pain relief. ...
  2. 2/11. Over-the-Counter Drugs. ...
  3. 3/11. Caffeine. ...
  4. 4/11. A Dark, Quiet Room. ...
  5. 5/11. Exercise. ...
  6. 6/11. Magnesium. ...
  7. 7/11. Sleep Well. ...
  8. 8/11. Yoga.

How do you get rid of a tension headache asap?

For Immediate Relief
  1. Ice: apply to both sides of the neck and shoulders, or, to the forehead and temples if experiencing pain there.
  2. Take a break: step away from any work that requires concentration or prolonged neck strain for at least 20 minutes.
  3. Self-massage:

What is the best muscle relaxer for tension headache?

Muscle relaxants like baclofen and tizanidine may relieve muscle tension and prevent tension headaches.

What deficiency causes tension headaches?

Background: Several studies have suggested an association between chronic pain and vitamin D deficiency. Anecdotal evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with tension-type headache and migraine.

How do you fix a constant tension headache?

Chronic tension headache treatment
  1. Painkillers. Painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen can be useful to treat tension headaches when they occur. ...
  2. Treating the cause: diary. ...
  3. Stress and depression. ...
  4. Regular exercise. ...
  5. Physiotherapy. ...
  6. Acupuncture. ...
  7. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) ...
  8. Preventative medication.

What age is tension headache common?

The mean lifetime prevalence of tension-type headache in adults, based on pooled results from five population based studies, is 46% (range 12-78%). Children are often affected, but prevalence peaks at age 40-49 years in both sexes.

What does an aneurysm headache feel like?

Symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm usually begin with a sudden agonising headache. It's been likened to being hit on the head, resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before. Other symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm also tend to come on suddenly and may include: feeling or being sick.

Does drinking water help tension headaches?

Yes, insufficient fluid intake can cause headaches. Some people are much more prone than others to headaches related to dehydration, and people who are more susceptible can avoid the headaches by making sure they drink enough fluids daily.

Why am I getting headaches every day all of a sudden?

Certain environmental factors are common triggers, such as sleep disruption, dehydration, skipped meals, some foods, hormone fluctuations and exposure to chemicals. “The goal is to treat migraine symptoms right away and to prevent symptoms by avoiding or changing triggers,” Dr.

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