Migraines are debilitating headaches that affect the sufferer’s ability to function in everyday life. Common symptoms include: hypersensitivity to sound and light, concentrated head pain and nausea. Physical activity usually intensifies the pain. Keeping a detailed journal of activity before migraines occur will help you narrow down the most frequent triggers so you can minimize exposure. The World Health Organization ranks migraines as a top 20 disability-inducing disease. Seek immediately medical help if a migraine lasts longer than 72 hours or occurs more than two to three times a month.
Migraine With Aura
Migraines with auras, called classic migraines, affect approximately a third of sufferers. Auras can manifest as disruption of vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch, the National Headache Foundation says. Although they can be scary, they are usually not dangerous. At the onset of an aura, the sufferer should immediately begin treatment to minimize the oncoming headache. Typical treatments include retreating to a quiet, dark place, taking an over-the-counter pain medication and placing a cool cloth on the forehead.
Migraine Without Aura
Migraines without auras, also called common migraines, are typically unilateral and have a pulsating pain sensation. The National Headache Foundation says that common migraines are the most prevalent type, consisting of three stages: light or noise sensitivity, headache and nausea or fatigue.
Silent Migraine
It is possible to have a migraine without the headache. Such migraines are called silent, or acephalgic. The sufferer has other migraine symptoms, such as vision problems, an altered sense of smell, slurred speech and ringing in the ears. Abortive and preventative migraine measures will ease a silent migraine.
Abdominal Migraine
Abdominal migraines describe the symptoms before the aura and/or headache phase. These symptoms are characterized by nausea followed by vomiting and diarrhea. Children with parents who experience regular migraines are most likely to have abdominal migraines.
Rebound Migraine
Excessive pain medication can cause rebound migraines. As the body acclimates to a normal dose of pain medication, it becomes less responsive. This can cause the migraine sufferer to take more and more medication, which leads to increased resistance. Rebound migraines quickly become more severe and frequent.
Transformed Migraine
Migraines that have evolving, changing symptoms and severity are termed transformed. They can be daily and occasionally strong. Transformed and rebound migraines have similar characteristics, which can make proper diagnosis difficult.
Rare Migraine Forms
Other forms of migraines include basilar, retinal, ocular, hemiplegic and status. Basilar artery migraines occur most often in children. The basilar artery in the brainstem swells, causing vision and speech problems, lack of coordination and vertigo. Retinal and ocular migraines begin with complete or partial vision loss in one eye. Hemiplegic migraines require extensive testing to rule out other neurological problems, because they can present as epilepsy or stroke. Pain lasts for more than 72 hours in a status migraine. Status migraines are extreme and require immediate medical attention.
