Migraine headaches are among the most severe headaches, causing excruciating pain and a host of other bothersome symptoms. Acute symptoms associated with migraine headaches may include auras (sensations that occur before the onset of a migraine), nausea, mood changes, fatigue and sensitivity to light and sound. Treatments for pain can be taken at the onset of symptoms and are most effective before a full-blown attack occurs.
Nausea & Vomiting
One of the most disturbing symptoms associated with a migraine headache includes nausea. Nausea may be severe, leading to vomiting, or mild, causing a general feeling of illness. This symptom can come on suddenly, appearing before or during a migraine. In addition, without proper treatment, nausea may last for days as the migraine progresses.
Vision Disturbances
A prodome is a pre-migraine symptom, occurring before the onset of the migraine attack. Acute vision disturbances can signal a migraine in some sufferers. According to Merk, approximately 25 percent of individuals with migraines experience signs that precede these headaches. Vision disturbances may include flashes of light, blurred vision, loss of vision and strange vision sensations, such as seeing zigzags or wavy lines.
Mood Changes
Acute mood changes can occur in some migraine sufferers, causing irritability, anxiety and sudden feelings of sadness or depression. These feeling may signal a migraine or trigger an attack, provoking headaches in some individuals, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Sensitivity to Light and Sound
Sensitivity to light and sound is a common symptom of an acute migraine headache. Most individuals who experience sensitivity to light or sound are extremely bothered by loud noises, such as a barking dog or a ringing telephone. The television, music, everyday noises and bright lights may become unbearable for some migraine sufferers, causing them to retreat to a dimly lit room. Many individuals with these symptoms are unable to function at work, due to the pain caused by light and sound.
Fatigue
Fatigue may occur before an acute migraine attack, causing feeling of weakness and lethargy. Many individuals with frequent migraines become familiar with such symptoms, expecting the headache pain to appear shortly after the fatigue sets in.
