Are migraines and headaches the same? No, definitely not.
Although migraine is a type of headache, there are the following differences to note.
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Pain characteristics : While headaches, especially tension headaches, are usually perceived as dull and oppressive, migraine pain is usually throbbing or pulsating.
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Location of pain : In most cases, tension headaches affect both sides of the head, while migraines often affect one side.
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Accompanying symptoms : Migraines usually have other accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting and/or sensitivity to noise and light, which occur less frequently with normal headaches.
- Influence of exercise : Any physical activity can increase the existing pain symptoms in migraines, whereas in tension headaches, exercise in the fresh air can relieve the symptoms.