Migraines are a particular headache disorder caused by blood vessel changes---tightening and swelling called constriction and dilation---around the brain. These changes appear linked to levels of serotonin, a chemical also linked to depression and mood disorders. Many lifestyle factors, such as caffeine and sugar ingestion, stress and hormone levels, can affect serotonin and blood vessel changes to cause migraines. In addition to the most well-known migraines, many other subtypes exist with their own unique symptoms and effects.
Classic and Common Migraine
Classic and common migraines are the two most typical migraine types, and they are the ones most people associate with a migraine diagnosis. These two types share symptoms of intense pain, often on one side of the head; vision changes; or light and sound sensitivity. Common migraines develop slowly and can last for a day or longer. Conversely, classic migraines develop more quickly but begin with an aura (i.e., a pre-headache period of sensory changes) that leads up to the head pain.
Ocular Migraine
Ocular migraines are unusual because they do not typically include headache pain as a symptom. Also called ophthalmic migraines, ocular migraines are caused by blood vessel changes in the vessel areas that lead to the eye. Symptoms manifest as zig zag lines, slowly-developing tunnel vision (in which the side vision darkens and grows to narrow the visual field), blind spots or bright flashes. Also unlike classic migraines, ocular migraine symptoms often resolve without treatment in less than one hour.
Basilar Migraine
Basilar migraine is a well-defined migraine subtype that was first described in 1961. It begins with a migraine aura that is followed within one hour by a headache, similar to classic migraines. However, the blood vessels affected are in the brainstem area, and this causes distinct aura symptoms. For example, basilar migraine auras may begin with complete loss of hearing or ear ringing and may continue with dizziness, double vision, muscle weakness or pain and loss of consciousness. Despite these differences, treatment for basilar migraine is similar to that of classic and common migraines.
