What guides treatment
Accurate classification (migraine with aura, without aura, chronic migraine), diary-verified frequency, associated features and medication-days, plus red-flag screen. This separates migraine from tension-type and cluster headache, whose treatments differ fundamentally.
Related: Migraine → · Dr. Jitendra Knowledge Hub → · ICHD-3 Topic →
Acute and preventive discussion
Acute options are paired with frequency limits (typically ≤2–3 days/week) to prevent medication-overuse headache; preventive options are considered when burden is high, with explicit discussion of benefits, risks, alternatives and follow-up. Education and diary remain central regardless of medicines chosen.
Quick comparison
Tension-type headache often responds to limited acute use plus sleep, posture and stress measures; migraine more often needs diary, trigger discussion and preventive consideration when frequent.
| Feature | Migraine | Tension-Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pain quality | Throbbing, often one-sided | Pressing, band-like, bilateral |
| Nausea/photophobia | Common | Mild only |
| Medication-overuse risk | High if >10 days/month | Lower but still possible |