Common symptoms of migraine
Migraines are a complex and often debilitating neurological condition characterized by a wide range of symptoms that can vary significantly from person to person. Here’s a detailed overview of common migraine symptoms:
1. Prodrome Phase (Early Warning Signs)
This phase occurs hours or even days before the migraine attack and includes subtle symptoms:
- Mood Changes: Irritability, depression, or euphoria.
- Food Cravings: Sudden, intense cravings for certain foods.
- Constipation or Diarrhea: Gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Neck Stiffness: Tightness or discomfort in the neck and shoulders.
- Increased Thirst and Urination: An unusual urge to drink more fluids and frequent urination.
- Frequent Yawning: Repeated yawning, even when not tired.
- Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness or low energy.
2. Aura Phase (Occurs in Some People)
About 25-30% of people with migraines experience aura, which is a group of sensory, motor, or verbal disturbances that can last for 20-60 minutes before the headache begins. Aura symptoms include:
- Visual Disturbances: Flashing lights, zigzag patterns, blind spots (scotomas), or temporary vision loss.
- Sensory Changes: Numbness or tingling, often in the face or on one side of the body.
- Speech or Language Problems: Difficulty finding words, slurred speech, or inability to communicate effectively.
- Motor Weakness: In rare cases, temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegic migraine).
- Auditory Hallucinations: Hearing noises, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a heightened sensitivity to sound.
- Cognitive Impairments: Confusion, difficulty concentrating, or feeling “foggy.”
3. Headache Phase
This is the main phase of a migraine, lasting from 4 to 72 hours, and includes the following symptoms:
- Severe Throbbing or Pulsing Pain: Typically on one side of the head, but can occur on both sides or shift sides.
- Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia): Bright lights can exacerbate the headache pain.
- Sensitivity to Sound (Phonophobia): Normal noise levels may become unbearable.
- Sensitivity to Smells (Osmophobia): Strong odors may trigger or worsen the pain.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Many migraine sufferers experience significant nausea, with or without vomiting.
- Dizziness or Vertigo: A sensation of spinning or unsteadiness.
- Blurred Vision: Difficulty seeing clearly due to eye strain or aura effects.
- Lightheadedness: Feeling faint or unsteady.
- Pain Aggravated by Physical Activity: Routine physical activities such as walking or climbing stairs can worsen the headache.
4. Postdrome Phase (Migraine Hangover)
After the main headache subsides, many people experience a postdrome phase that can last for a few hours to a day, characterized by:
- Fatigue: Extreme tiredness or low energy levels.
- Cognitive Fog: Difficulty concentrating, memory issues, or feeling mentally slow.
- Mood Changes: Some people feel unusually happy or euphoric, while others may feel depressed or irritable.
- Residual Headache: A dull, lingering headache or pressure in the head.
- Body Aches: Generalized muscle soreness or stiffness.
- Sensitivity to Light and Sound: Continued sensitivity, though less intense than during the headache phase.
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Ongoing nausea, loss of appetite, or changes in bowel habits.
5. Additional Symptoms (Less Common but Noteworthy)
- Allodynia: Pain from stimuli that are not usually painful, such as brushing hair or wearing glasses.
- Visual Snow: Persistent visual disturbance that resembles static or snow.
- Chills or Sweating: Abnormal body temperature regulation.
- Tingling in Limbs: Persistent tingling or numbness in the arms or legs, unrelated to aura.
6. Chronic Migraines
- Frequent Attacks: Occurring 15 or more days per month, often leading to significant disability.
- Overlapping Symptoms: Chronic migraines may include all of the above symptoms, but they are often less severe on a day-to-day basis, though the cumulative effect is debilitating.
Migraines are highly individualized, meaning that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms, and the intensity can vary greatly from one attack to another. Treatment and management strategies also vary widely, depending on the specific symptoms and triggers experienced by the individual.
