Ask the Doc: What’s the difference between a migraine and a headache?

3 min

Question

What’s the difference between a migraine and a headache?

Answer

Most people experience a headache every now or then. On any given day, around one out of every seven people has a headache.

There are lots of different causes and lots of different types of headaches. The most common type of headache is known as ‘tension-type headache’, which affects two in five people and feels like a band of pressure around the head. They can be caused by things like hunger, lack of sleep, stress, anxiety and depression.

If you think you have migraine, or if you have headaches that are more severe or more frequent than usual, you should see your doctor. Getting a correct diagnosis of the type of headache you have is the first step to finding a treatment that will help you to manage it.

Keywords

Holistic health
Migraine

Did you find this page helpful?

Information provided on this website is not a substitute for medical advice

Call 000 for emergency services

If you or someone you know needs urgent medical attention.

Call MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78 for 24/7 support

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.

Sign up to our newsletter

We release two monthly newsletters – one written for men, family and friends, and another for health practitioners.

Your preferred mailing list

Your name

Your email

Stay up to date

FacebookInstagramLinkedinTwitterYoutubespotifytiktok

Healthy Male acknowledges the traditional owners of the land. We pay our respects to elders past, present and future. We are committed to providing respectful, inclusive services and work environments where all individuals feel accepted, safe, affirmed and celebrated. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

Disclaimer

Healthy Male is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. This website does not host any form of advertisement. Information provided on this website is not a substitute for medical advice.

Trusted information partner of