Headaches
Headaches are common in adults. There are many types of headaches, with migraine and tension headaches being the most common.
The difference between a migraine and a tension headache
| Characteristics | Migraine | Tension headache |
|---|---|---|
| Type of pain | Throbbing sensation | Feeling of pressure or tightness |
| Intensity | Moderate to severe (pain intensifies gradually) | Less pain than a migraine |
| Location | One side of the head (usually) | Both sides of the head |
| Duration | 4 to 72 hours | 30 minutes to 7 days |
| Pain worsened by physical activity | Yes | No |
| Other symptoms that may accompany pain |
| Tenderness in the muscles of the neck and shoulders |
Causes and triggers
Several factors can trigger headaches. To help identify what your triggers are, consider keeping a headache diary.
Here are some of the most common triggers:
- Stress
- Menstrual periods
- Certain foods (e.g., coffee, chocolate) and alcoholic beverages (especially red wine)
- Lack of sleep
- Hunger
- Dehydration
Certain medications (e.g., birth control pill) and chemicals (e.g., perfumes, smoke and other products with a strong odour) can also trigger headaches.
Treatment
During an episode, it can help to lie down in a room that is cool, dark and quiet. You may also take medication to help manage the pain associated with the migraine or tension headache. Start by checking with your pharmacist to make sure these types of medications are safe for you to use. There are two types of drug treatments:
- Medications aimed at relieving pain:
- Certain pain relievers are available over-the-counter (e.g., Motrin, Tylenol, Advil), while others must be prescribed by your healthcare provider. Try not to take these products too often, as they may contribute to medication-overuse headaches.
- Medications aimed at preventing future headaches:
- Your healthcare professional may prescribe these medications if you suffer from frequent headaches, especially if you experience regular migraines. These products help reduce headache frequency.
To prevent new migraines or tension headaches from occurring, be sure to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. The following preventive measures may help reduce the frequency and intensity of your headaches:
- Get enough sleep
- Eat at least three meals a day
- Reduce stress
- Get some exercise
- Avoid trigger foods
- Lose weight if overweight
Seek medical attention immediately if your headache...
- Comes on suddenly, becomes severe within a few minutes, or could be described as the worst headache of your life
- Is severe and occurs with a fever or stiff neck
- Occurs with a seizure, personality changes, confusion, or passing out
- Begins shortly after strenuous exercise or a minor injury
- Is new and occurs with weakness, numbness or difficulty seeing
For more information:
Related services
- Migraines - Initial meeting for migraine monitoring
- Migraine monitoring (Follow-up meeting)
