Headache is the general term for pain in the head, with many possible causes. Migraine is a specific neurological condition in which headache is one symptom among several — often nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes visual disturbance beforehand. A migraine involves a headache; most headaches are not migraines.
The core difference
A symptom and a condition, which is why they are not interchangeable.
- headache — pain in the head. A symptom with many causes.
- migraine — a neurological condition, typically with pain plus other symptoms.
The word
Migraine comes through French from Latin hemicrania — Greek hemi, half, plus kranion, skull. The name records the observation that the pain is often one-sided, which remains a recognised feature.
Why the distinction is not pedantry
Using migraine loosely for any bad headache blurs a real clinical category, and it works in both directions: it can make a serious recurring condition sound like an ordinary complaint, and it can make ordinary headaches sound alarming.
This page explains the words. It is not medical guidance — anyone concerned about headaches should speak to a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Is a migraine just a bad headache?
No. It is a neurological condition in which headache is one symptom, usually alongside others such as nausea and sensitivity to light.
Where does the word migraine come from?
From Latin hemicrania, based on Greek for "half a skull", recording the frequently one-sided pain.
Are all headaches the same?
No. Headache is a symptom with many causes, and clinicians distinguish several types. This page explains the words rather than offering guidance.