All migraines are headaches, but not all headaches are migraines. A headache generally refers to any type of pain in the head, while a migraine is a specific type of headache that comes with other symptoms. Migraines are usually characterized by moderate to severe throbbing or pulsating pain, often on one side of the head, and are frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Some people with migraines also experience auras, which are sensory disturbances that occur before the headache begins.