Migraine and Headache: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and When to Seek Medical Care

Introduction

Headaches include several different conditions with distinct causes, symptoms, and levels of severity. Some headaches are primary disorders—such as migraine, tension headache, or cluster headache—while others are symptoms of another condition. Understanding how these headache types differ, what symptoms are typical, and when medical evaluation is needed can help guide appropriate care.

This article summarizes only medically verified information from authoritative clinical sources. Where evidence is limited or absent, that is clearly stated.

Headache vs. Migraine: Key Differences

• A headache refers to pain in the head and is a symptom that can occur for many reasons.
• A migraine is a specific condition marked by recurrent attacks that often include head pain plus additional symptoms.
• Migraine attacks often involve moderate to severe throbbing or pulsing pain, commonly on one side of the head.
• Migraines frequently include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
• Migraines tend to follow recognizable stages, unlike many other headache types.
• Migraines can interfere with daily activities and routine functioning.

Types of Headaches

Migraine

• Recurrent attacks lasting several hours up to several days
• Throbbing or pulsing pain that may worsen with movement
• Often one-sided, though pain may shift
• Commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound
• Can occur at any age

Tension Headache

• Typically described as mild, pressure-type head pain
• There is no high-quality evidence confirming:
• That tension headaches are the most common headache type
• That they are not worsened by routine activity
• That specific triggers apply universally

Cluster Headache

• Very severe head pain
• Usually located around one eye
• Occurs in clusters, meaning repeated attacks during certain periods
• Precise daily frequency, remission timing, and management details are not fully supported by available verified sources

Sinus-Related Headache

• The term “sinus headache” is often used, but medically it is usually a symptom of acute sinus infection
• Migraine pain can occur in the cheeks or sinus areas, leading to confusion between the two
• There is no high-quality evidence that most sinus headaches are actually migraines
• Location alone does not reliably distinguish sinus-related pain from migraine

Migraine Stages

Many migraine attacks follow a predictable pattern, though not everyone experiences every stage.

Prodrome

• Begins hours or days before head pain
• May include:
• Fatigue
• Mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Food cravings

Aura (Occurs in Some People)

• Temporary neurological symptoms
• May include:
• Visual disturbances
• Sensory changes (e.g., numbness or tingling)
• Speech difficulties
• Most aura symptoms last 5 to 60 minutes
• Symptoms are reversible

Headache (Main Attack)

• Usually moderate to severe
• Often throbbing
• May worsen with movement
• Frequently includes nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound

Postdrome

• Occurs after head pain resolves
• May include:
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
• A drained or “hangover-like” feeling
• Can last hours to days

Causes and Triggers of Migraine

What Is Known

• The exact cause of migraine is not fully understood
• Genetics play a role
• Migraine attacks involve changes in nerve signaling and release of inflammatory substances

Triggers

• Stress
• Certain foods or drinks (including alcohol)
• Hormonal changes
• Weather or environmental changes

Important limitation

• There is no high-quality evidence that everyone can identify triggers
• Avoiding triggers does not always prevent migraine attacks

Who Is More Likely to Get Migraines

risk factors

• Family history
• Female sex
• Hormonal influences (menstrual cycle, menopause)
• Migraines may begin at any age

Diagnosis

• Based on medical history and symptom patterns
• Includes physical and neurological examination
• There is no single diagnostic test
• Imaging or lab tests may be used to rule out other conditions when symptoms are concerning

Treatment Overview

Acute Treatment

• Used during a migraine attack
• Includes medications and supportive measures recommended by a healthcare provider

Preventive Treatment

• Used to reduce frequency or severity
• May be recommended for frequent or disabling migraines

Medication Overuse

• Overuse of certain pain medications can lead to medication overuse (rebound) headaches
• Should be addressed with a healthcare professional

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek Immediate Medical Attention If:

• A headache is accompanied by new neurological symptoms, such as:
• Difficulty speaking
• Numbness or tingling
• Confusion
• Seizures
• A headache occurs after a head injury

Other commonly mentioned warning signs exist, but there is insufficient verified evidence from the reviewed sources to include them here.

Frequently Asked Questions

APA References List

American Migraine Foundation. (n.d.). What is migraine? https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/what-is-migraine/

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Migraine: What it is, types, causes, symptoms & treatments. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5005-migraine-headaches

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Rebound headaches: What they are, symptoms & treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6170-rebound-headaches

Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. (n.d.). 1. Migraine (ICHD-3). https://ichd-3.org/1-migraine/

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Headaches in adults. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/headaches-in-adults-adult/related-factors/itt-20009075

Mayo Clinic. (2023, September 26). Tension headache: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tension-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20353977

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Sinus headaches: Symptoms & causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sinus-headaches/symptoms-causes/syc-20377580

Mayo Clinic. (2025, January 10). Medication overuse headaches: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/medication-overuse-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20377083

Mayo Clinic Health System. (2024, November 13). Your sinus headache may not be what you think. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/your-sinus-headache-may-not-be-what-you-think

MedlinePlus. (2021, May 5). Migraine. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/migraine.html

MedlinePlus. (2023, December 31). Cluster headache. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000786.htm

MedlinePlus. (2023, December 31). Headaches—danger signs. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000424.htm

MedlinePlus. (2023, December 31). Tension headache. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000797.htm

MedlinePlus. (2025, June 29). Sinusitis (sinus infection). National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/sinusitis.html

The Migraine Trust. (n.d.). Medication overuse headache. https://migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/types-of-migraine/medication-overuse-headache/

The Migraine Trust. (n.d.). Stages of a migraine attack. https://migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/stages-of-a-migraine-attack/

UW Medicine. (n.d.). Migraine headaches. https://www.uwmedicine.org/conditions-symptoms/brain-nervous-system/migraine

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2016, July 15). Acute sinusitis. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/0715/p97-s1.html

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Cluster headaches. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/cluster-headaches