Migraine is one of several types of headache pain. Its distinctive characteristics help to distinguish from other types of headache, thus leading to appropriate treatment. According to Mayo Clinic, typical medications used to treat migraines include triptans, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ergot preparations, opiates, butalbital combination drugs and anti-nausea drugs. Patients diagnosed with migraine headaches are often prescribed daily medications to help reduce the length and severity of the next migraine.
Photophobia and Sensitivity to Sound
One of the classic symptoms of migraine is photophobia, a sensitivity to light. The suffererer may also find that she is sensitive to sound during the time of the headache pain.
Headache Pain
Migraine pain is often described as moderate to severe and pulsing or throbbing. The pain frequently occurs on one side of the head but may seem to be equally on both sides. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the pain may begin in the back of the head, the neck or behind the eye. The pain may begin as a mild ache and worsens, lasting for four to 72 hours. For many, the pain worsens with any physical activity, leaving the patient with a desire to lie down or be very still. The pain is significant enough to interfere with work and leisure activities.
Nausea and Vomiting
Migraine pain is frequently accompanied by nausea, which may lead to vomiting. For many sufferers, brief pain relief is experienced after vomiting.
Aura
Some migraine sufferers describe having an aura before the headache begins. Auras may include visual disturbances in both eyes such as blurry vision, tunnel vision or seeing one or more bright spots or wavy lines. He may also have a blind spot in his visual field. These symptoms happen approximately 20 minutes to one hour before the onset of pain, according to the National Headache Foundation. Tingling of the skin may accompany the visual aura for some patients.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of a migraine headache include sweating, chills, loss of appetite, excessive tiredness and difficulty concentrating. After the pain goes away, the sufferer may notice that she needs to get extra sleep and continues to have difficulty concentrating. Neck pain may also be present after a migraine headache.
