Whether it’s the result of stress at work, eating too much sugar, or your significant other packing the dishwasher incorrectly (again), most of us have experienced a headache at one time or another.
Oftentimes, these headaches can be treated by taking some pain relief, sipping water, and having a rest.
However, there’s a big difference between a headache – even a very bad headache – and a migraine. With more than five million Aussies suffering from migraines, we sat down with Neurologist and Director of Migraine Specialist, Dr Nicole Limberg, to understand the difference between the two.
Headache vs migraine
Headaches
Headaches are a common ailment that nearly all people experience at some stage in their life. While headaches are unpleasant, especially when you experience them regularly over an extended period of time, they’re often situational and can usually be treated easily and quickly.
Headaches come in various types, ranging from tension headaches and sinus headaches to those caused by stress, dehydration or poor posture. In fact, there are more than 300 types of headaches, but only about 10% of them have a known cause. Some of the most common types of headaches include:
Tension headaches: These are the most common and can be felt on both sides of the head or as pressure across the forehead. They often occur with sore neck and shoulder muscles.
Cluster headaches: These can cause intense pain on one side of the face or behind the eyes and tend to strike in clusters.
Sinus headache: A sinus headache feels like pressure or pain around your forehead, eyes, or cheeks and is caused by inflammation or congestion in your sinuses.
Dehydration headache: A dehydration headache happens when your body doesn’t have enough fluids. One possible explanation for the pain is that dehydration causes your brain to temporarily contract and pull away from the skull, triggering pain.
While headaches are often manageable, it's important to see a GP if they become frequent or severely disruptive to your life.
Migraines
A migraine is a neurological disorder that exists in various areas of the brain and can be both chronic (15 or more migraine days a month) or episodic (4-14 migraines per month). Migraines are more painful than typical headaches and can disrupt daily life significantly.
Migraines can last up to 72 hours and often come with nausea, vomiting, and severe sensitivity to light or sound. They may also be accompanied by dizziness, a loss of appetite, and throbbing pain behind the eyes or around the head. When not experiencing a migraine, sufferers may have anxiety about future episodes, leading to tension headaches.
Triggers for migraines vary and can include missed meals, hormonal fluctuations, certain foods, environmental changes, stress, and sleep disturbances. According to Dr Limberg, migraines can be debilitating and life-altering, affecting some people’s ability to work, engage with family or simply go outside.
“Migraine criteria is generally based on severity of pain – typically a 6/10 or higher – and how much it disrupts daily activities,” Dr Limberg explains. “Migraines are far more disabling than people think; they affect a person’s quality of life in ways many people don’t realise.”
Managing headaches and migraines
Treatment for headaches generally focuses on pain relief, hydration and rest. For some, tension headaches or migraines can be managed with lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and avoiding known triggers. For others, medication may be necessary. When it comes to migraines, Dr Limberg stresses that treatment should focus on identifying and managing core triggers and making long-term lifestyle adjustments to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes. Medication may also play a role, but it's often a combination of therapies that provides the most relief.
“We really focus on addressing the underlying triggers rather than just masking the symptoms with medication,” Dr Limberg adds. “Lifestyle adjustments can be life-changing for people suffering from migraines."
When should I seek professional help?
Most people can handle a headache with some paracetamol or ibuprofen, water and rest. But there are times when you should seek medical care. Here’s when to take extra caution:
Headaches with fever and vomiting
A sudden change in your usual headache pattern
A headache that feels unusually severe
Pain that gets worse with coughing or movement
Headaches that keep getting worse over time
Changes in your personality or mental function
Headaches with fever, stiff neck, confusion, or trouble with memory, alertness, or neurological issues (like blurry vision, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures)
Headaches after hitting your head
Headaches that stop you from doing your normal daily activities
Sudden headaches, especially if they wake you up
Headaches in people with cancer or weakened immune systems
For migraines you might seek non-urgent support if:
Your migraines are severe, lasting longer than usual, or getting worse
You’re getting migraines more than once a week
You’re struggling to manage your migraines
You often get migraines before or during your period
Seek emergency support (call triple 000) if:
Your migraine has lasted more than 72 hours
Aura symptoms (like visual disturbances) last longer than an hour
You’re pregnant or recently had a baby
Your migraine is accompanied by vomiting, confusion, neck stiffness or changes in your vision
If you’re experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, it's important to consult a GP who can provide a tailored treatment plan and offer guidance on how to manage your condition more effectively. For convenience, you might want to use telehealth services and speak with a medical doctor or nurse practitioner, which can help with medical consultations over the phone.
Please note: The tips throughout this article serve as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.
