They are not the same. While every migraine brings with it a severe headache, not every headache is a migraine.
How to differentiate one from the other?
The headache is usually temporary, and could be relieved with the use of analgesics. On the other hand, migraine is a much stronger and more persistent pain that is accompanied by a series of discomforts that in many cases could make impossible for a person to perform the most basic tasks.
Migraines tend to appear from 10 years old to 45 years old, it may be hereditary and it is more frequent in women than in men.
Some people have some symptoms that are considered to be signs that precede the migraine episode such as a temporary blindness or spotting of colored spots, blurred vision, pain in one or both eyes, seeing stars, zigzag lines or flashing lights, tunnel vision (only able to see objects near the center of the field of vision), difficulty to concentrate, nausea, weakness or numbness.
Migraine usually begins with severe pain and gets worse as time passes by and if it is untreated, it can last from 6 to 48 hours.
The best advice is to consult a doctor: it is the proper way to get a treatment and to know if a neurological consultation is necessary.