Merck Manuals, an online medical library, describes migraines as a type of headache that involves throbbing pain in the head. About 18 percent of women and 6 percent of men in the United States experience migraines. These types of headaches can be triggered too little sleep, the weather, diet, stress, or too much stimulation of the senses. There are several different types of migraines and diagnosis is based on the patient's description of symptoms.
Migraine with Aura
Migraine with aura is also often called a "classic migraine." This type of migraine, according to the National Women's Health Information Center, is accompanied by symptoms that affect the senses, which usually occur 10 to 30 minutes prior to the onset of the migraine. Symptoms include visual disturbances such as blind spots and flashing lights; tingling or numbness in the hands or face; abnormal smells or tastes; difficulty thinking and concentrating. The Ohio State University Medical Center adds that other symptoms are also possible: weakness in a leg or arm, difficulty speaking and confusion. Migraine with aura is more rare than without aura, accounting for only about 20 percent of all migraines.
Migraine Without Aura
The Ohio State University Medical Center notes that this type of migraine is also called a "common migraine," and is usually not preceded by the sensation symptoms that accompany a migraine with aura. The symptoms of this type of migraine include fatigue; changes in mood; gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; increased or decreased urination and "mental fuzziness."
Hemiplegic Migraine
The occurrence of other types of migraine, described by the Ohio State University Medical Center, are much less common than migraine with aura and migraine without aura. One type of rare migraine is hemiplegic migraine, which involves temporary paralysis on one side of the body called hemiplegia. Also associated with hemiplegic migraine are vision problems and vertigo, which often precede the onset of the migraine.
Opthalmoplegic Migraine
This type of migraine involves pain surrounding the eyes. Occasionally a person with an ophthalmoplegic migraine will have droopy eyelids and vision disturbances.
Basilar Artery Migraine
The major artery that brings blood into the brain is called the basilar artery. Interestingly, this type of migraine most commonly affects adolescent and young adult women, and is often linked with her menstrual cycle. Prior to the onset of the headache, the person may experience trouble with muscle coordination, double vision and vertigo.
Status Migrainosus
This is a rare but severe type of migraine. The symptoms of status migrainosus are pain and nausea that may be so severe, hospitalization may be necessary. The symptoms can last three days or even longer.
