Two different pains — two different treatments. A neurologist on simple self-check signs and when it is time to see a doctor.
Tension headache
The most common type: the head feels squeezed by a “band” or “helmet”, the pain is on both sides, moderate, without nausea. It usually appears towards the end of the working day, after stress, long hours at a computer or lack of sleep, and goes away after a walk or rest.
Migraine
The pain is one-sided, throbbing and severe; it gets worse with movement and lasts from 4 hours to 3 days. It often comes with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound; sometimes an “aura” — shimmering zigzags in front of the eyes — appears before an attack.
- One-sided throbbing plus nausea — more likely migraine
- Two-sided pressure without nausea — more likely a tension headache
- Pain more than 4 times a month — a reason to see a neurologist
Why it matters
With tension headaches, working on the neck and shoulder muscles, sleep and daily routine helps; with migraine — specific medication and attack prevention. A separate problem is taking painkillers more than 10 days a month: it leads to medication-overuse headache.
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