Migraine headaches affect around 30 million Americans, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While there are several types of migraine headaches, most migraines have a similar set of symptoms which makes them relatively easy to identify. There are times, however, when a person having a migraine may have some unusual symptoms.
Identification
The exact cause of migraines is not fully understood. However, they may be influenced by the way the brain is structured in some people, some of which might be hereditary. Because migraines are actually caused by changes in the brain, the symptoms vary from person to person. The more common symptoms of migraine include throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea and sensitivity to sounds or lights. However, there are other less common symptoms that the Cleveland Clinic estimates occur in around 15 percent of all migraine sufferers, most of which are related to migraine auras.
Significance of Migraine Aura
Migraine auras occur in less than one-fifth of migraine sufferers. Typical symptoms include flashing lights or blind spots in the visual field. Migraine auras can also cause temporary blindness, though this often resolves within about an hour. While many migraine auras tend to cause visual disturbances, they may affect other senses as well. Some people experience strange smells or ringing in the ears. According to the Mayo Clinic, some people who experience migraine aura may get a "premonition" of the migraine, which may include food cravings, thirst or emotional changes.
Rare Migraine Types
In addition to rare migraine symptoms, there are several types of migraines that are rare themselves, each of which has its own distinctive symptoms. A hemiplegic migraine causes symptoms that mimic that of a stroke: weakness and numbness on one side of the body, which resolves once the migraine passes. During an opthalmoplegic migraine, the eye muscles may actually become paralyzed, causing visual problems as well as drooping eyelids. A status migraine is like a common migraine, except that it lasts for several days. Both opthalmoplegic migraines and status migraines may require hospitalization.
Prevention/Solution
Migraine symptoms, including rare symptoms, can often be treated with what is referred to as a prophylactic: a medication taken regularly to prevent the migraine in the first place. However, in many cases migraine symptoms may break through, at which time acute treatment is needed. Acute migraine medications include opioid painkillers, NSAIDs, anti-nausea drugs and drugs that affect the levels of chemicals in the brain. In addition, many people find success with alternative migraine remedies for some or all of their symptoms, including dietary supplements, relaxation and biofeedback.
Warning
In some cases, rare migraine symptoms may require prompt medical attention, especially if the migraine sufferer has never experienced such symptoms before. Some examples of symptoms that require immediate medical attention include very sudden and severe head pain as well as migraine pain accompanied by stroke-like symptoms such as weakness or numbness. In addition, head pain that becomes worse with movement or exertion should also be assessed by a medical doctor as soon as possible.
