How to Tell if Your Back of Head Pain Is a Headache or Migraine

Did you know that migraines are three times more common in women than men? 

There are different types of head pain you may experience. There are also many locations for this pain to occur, like the back of the head. 

Knowing what you’re experiencing can help make your back of head pain go away quicker. 

There are a few ways to find out whether your pain is caused from a migraine or headache. Identifying the type of pain you’re tolerating and how often it occurs are a few examples. 

Here are a few ways to narrow down whether you’re experiencing a back of head headache or migraine.

Type of Pain

You can come across different types of pain in the back of your head. The type of pain may reveal whether you have a headache or migraine. 

Migraine pain can usually be described as a throbbing sensation. 

A dull pain that doesn’t throb is usually caused by a headache. This can be described as “tightening” or “tense.”

The back of your head may be tender to touch. This is a sign of a tension headache.

Headache pain can come as “electric jolts” that last a few minutes. There is something called a “thunderclap” headache. It develops within a minute and brings immense pain.

If you believe that you’re experiencing a thunderclap headache, it is recommended that you call 911 immediately. 

There are many head pain causes, which are referred to as “triggers.” Knowing your triggers can prevent pain in back of head. 

Frequency of Pain

If you’re experiencing back of head pain for more than 15 days a month for three or more months, you may be experiencing chronic migraines. 

The frequency of pain can vary depending on lifestyle. Headaches are caused by stress, tension, and anxiety. Depending on how often you feel these symptoms will affect the amount of headaches you get. 

Other Symptoms

There are other symptoms you may encounter with a back of head migraine or headache. The symptoms of a migraine are very different than a headache, but pinpointing them can mean all the difference when it comes to treatment. 

If you’re experiencing a sinus headache, you may also suffer congestion and facial pressure. 

On the other hand, migraines come with a slew of additional symptoms. These include nausea, pain behind one eye, sensitivity to light, flashing lights, loss of vision, and vomiting. 

Keeping track of your symptoms can help prevent and treat your back of head pain. Companies like Power of Patients specialize in finding treatments for people with brain injuries by providing a free app for them to track their symptoms.

Even if you don’t have a brain injury, you can use a program like this to find trends that cause your back of head pain. 

Back of Head Pain

Back of head pain varies from each individual, but treatment and relief is possible. Identifying the pain you’re experiencing can mean all the difference when it comes to treatment options.

This is why it is important to track your symptoms. 

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