1. Recognize Premonition Symptoms
Some migraine sufferers experience a group of telltale warning signs in the hours and days before their migraine headache appears. The warning signs, also known as a prodrome or preheadache, include both physical and psychological changes. The physical changes can include various symptoms, such as excessive thirst, increased urination, fluid retention, cravings for sweet foods or loss of appetite, cold, sensitivity to light or sound and tight muscles. Psychological symptoms vary. Some people experience increased irritability, depression and fatigue. However, other people note an increase in energy, accompanied by a sense of euphoria or elation.
2. Here Comes the Aura
Sometimes migraine headaches are preceded by an aura, which is often thought of as a warning sign that a migraine headache is imminent. An aura involves visual disturbances, such as zigzags or wavy lines in the visual field. It may also include flashes or sparks of light and distortions of objects. Sufferers of auras also report seeing blind spots or dark spots, which gradually spread across the visual field. In addition to visual disturbances, some people experience numbness or tingling on their face or along their arms. The tingling, which occurs along one side of the body, may develop into mild paralysis. Finally, some people report challenges producing speech.
3. My Great Headache
Migraines vary in severity from an inconvenience to debilitating pain, usually lasting several days. They can affect your ability to work, drive, care for your children and even function. Often, a migraine affects one side of the head; however it can affect both sides simultaneously. Some sufferers describe it as a throbbing pain that keeps beating away inside the head. Physical activity and exposure to light or sound often exacerbates the pain; therefore, many people cope by lying still in a darkened room.
4. More Than Miserable Pain
Migraines sufferers frequently experience nausea, loss of appetite and even vomiting. Other common complaints include an increased sensitivity to cold or heat, sweating, nasal congestion or a blurry field of visual. The person's face may appear pale, or the veins may protrude or look more prominent. The headache often leads to excessive fatigue and impaired concentration.
5. It's Not Necessarily Over When it's Over
Some migraine sufferers experience lingering effects of migraine headaches, referred to as postdrome or postheadache symptoms. Like other phases of the migraine headache, postdrome symptoms vary depending on the individual. Some people experience increased elation and energy, while others are depressed and fatigued. Many people note impaired intellect and concentration in the days following the headache.
