Diagnostic Criteria for Primary Migraine (w/o aura)
Subjective report
Objective findings
Headache of such intensity that it limits ones activities
     - can be uni- or bi-lateral
     - may be pulsating and agrivated by activity
NONE
(CT scan normal;  MRI normal;  x-rays normal;
blood work-up normal)
Can last from 1 to 3 days
Is accompanied by a combination of:
     -nausea,  and/or:
     -photophobia  (sensitivity to light) and
     -phonophobia (sensitivity to sound)
-
Diagnostic Criteria for Tension-type headache
Subjective report
Objective findings
Headache lasting one hour to 7 days
     - can be uni- or bi- lateral
 

NONE
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At least two of the following:
     - pressing/tightening quality (not pulsating)
     - intensity inhibits but not prohibits activity
     - not agrivated by activity
No nausea
Either photophobia or phonophobia, but not both
-
A diagnosis of Primary Migraine or Tension-type headache does not establish the cause or etiology of the pain attacks (i.e., the term "vascular migraine" is not a diagnosis nor descriptive of etiology).  Current research and understanding focuses on an imbalance of the central nervous system, between the sympathetic and parasympathetic, with specific irritatants (triggers) initiating a cascade of neuromuscular/physiologic events.

* Headache classification committee of the IHS. Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgias and facial pain. Cephalalgia 1988 8: 1-96.