Common symptoms of migraine.
Migraines are a neurological condition that often involve a range of symptoms, varying in intensity and duration. The common symptoms of migraine can be classified into four stages: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome, though not everyone experiences all stages.
1. Prodrome (Pre-headache phase):
This phase can occur hours or even days before the actual migraine attack. Symptoms include:
- Mood changes: Anxiety, depression, irritability, or euphoria.
- Fatigue: General tiredness and lack of energy.
- Food cravings: A sudden desire for specific foods, such as sweets.
- Increased urination: Frequent urination or an increased need to go to the bathroom.
- Yawning: Uncontrollable yawning without feeling tired.
- Neck stiffness: Tightness or discomfort in the neck.
- Difficulty concentrating: Trouble focusing or cognitive fog.
2. Aura:
Auras occur in about 25% of migraine sufferers and can develop gradually over 5-20 minutes, lasting less than an hour. Symptoms include:
- Visual disturbances: Flashing lights, blind spots (scotomas), zigzag patterns, or even temporary vision loss.
- Sensory changes: Numbness or tingling in the hands, face, or arms.
- Speech difficulties: Difficulty finding words, slurred speech, or confusion.
- Motor issues: Weakness on one side of the body (hemiplegic migraine) or difficulty controlling movement.
- Auditory changes: Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss.
3. Headache phase:
This is the most intense part of the migraine, often lasting 4-72 hours. It is characterized by:
- Severe head pain: Throbbing or pulsating pain, typically on one side of the head (though it can affect both sides).
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia): Intolerance to bright lights.
- Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia): Irritation or pain caused by noises.
- Sensitivity to smells (osmophobia): Aversion to certain scents.
- Nausea and vomiting: Many people experience nausea, with or without vomiting.
- Dizziness or vertigo: A spinning sensation or unsteadiness.
- Blurry vision: Difficulty seeing clearly, which can exacerbate discomfort.
- Fatigue: Overwhelming exhaustion, making it hard to function.
- Neck pain: Pain that radiates from the head to the neck and shoulders.
4. Postdrome (Post-headache phase):
This phase, sometimes referred to as a “migraine hangover,” occurs after the headache subsides. It can last up to 24-48 hours. Symptoms include:
- Exhaustion: Feeling drained and fatigued.
- Difficulty concentrating: Cognitive impairment or difficulty thinking clearly.
- Mood changes: Depression or euphoria.
- Muscle weakness: Lingering soreness, especially in the neck.
- Residual head sensitivity: A mild headache or tenderness where the migraine occurred.
Additional Symptoms:
- Sweating or chills: Sudden changes in body temperature.
- Loss of appetite: An aversion to food or inability to eat.
- Pallor: Pale skin or an ashen complexion.
- Abdominal pain: Sometimes migraines can involve stomach discomfort.
Each person’s experience with migraine symptoms can vary widely. Some may have frequent migraines, while others may only experience them occasionally, and the intensity can differ from one episode to another.
