Tension headache and migraine can be distinguished from each other by pathogenesis and clinical manifestations.
1. Pathogenesis.
(1) Tension headache: It is currently believed to be related to “peripheral pain mechanisms” and “central pain mechanisms”. Peripheral pain management mechanism refers to the pericranial muscle or fascial tissue structure for contraction or ischemia, the cell through the internal and external potassium ion transport abnormality or inflammatory response mediator release excessive, thus leading to a significant increase in nociceptive sensitivity to increase and cause tension and pain.
(2) Migraine; the pathogenesis is not clear, the main existence of vascular theory, trigeminal vascular theory and so on.
2. Clinical manifestations.
(1) Tension headache: mainly manifested as forehead, both sides of the temples and the back of the head, or the whole head, with tightening or oppressive pain. It is usually not accompanied by nausea or vomiting, photophobia or phonophobia, or only one of the two. Insomnia, depression, and anxiety are present in some patients.
(2) Migraine: Most headaches are located on one side of the head, extending from one temple to the whole head, and can also be transferred from one side to the other. Most of the headaches are throbbing headaches, which may also be characterized by pins and needles or swelling pain. It may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light, sound, odor and other symptoms.
Patients are advised to seek timely medical treatment under the guidance of professional doctors to avoid adverse consequences.