A migraine is a medical condition that causes severe headache symptoms to develop in affected patients. Over 29 million people in the United States struggle with migraine symptoms, report health professionals at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you have this condition, talk with your doctor about the treatment options that are available to help you manage the symptoms of a migraine headache.
Pain
The most common symptom associated with a migraine headache is pain. Migraine pain can vary in severity from dull to severe and is often characterized as intense, throbbing or pulsating, explain health professionals at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Painful migraine symptoms are typically located within one specific region in the head--such as the left or right side of the head or immediately behind the eyes. Pain from the head can also spread into the back of the head and down into the neck. These painful symptoms can last anywhere from six to 48 hours and often occur in conjunction with a number of additional side effects.
Vision Alterations
A migraine headache that is accompanied by vision alterations is referred to as a migraine with aura. Patients who develop migraine with aura can experience blurred, cloudy or tunnel vision immediately before the onset of headache pain. A migraine with aura can also cause patients to see flashing lights, zigzag lines or stars. Such symptoms may cause patients to develop a blind spot or experience a temporary loss of vision. These symptoms may persist for the duration of a migraine episode.
Stomach Upset
Painful migraine symptoms can cause some patients to experience stomach upset. Symptoms of stomach upset typically include nausea or vomiting, explain health professionals at Medline Plus, an informational health website provided by the National Institutes of Health. These symptoms can also contribute to a decreased appetite in some patients.
Increased Sensory Sensitivity
Patients who develop migraine headaches can experience extreme sensory sensitivity as a symptom of this condition, which can cause migraine symptoms to become worse if a patient is exposed to light or sound. A migraine with aura can be accompanied by abnormalities in touch, taste or smell sensations in some patients. Tingling or numb sensations can also develop within the hands or face of a patient experiencing a migraine headache. These sensations can contribute to difficulties speaking or concentrating, which can negatively impact the ability to complete school or work-related tasks.
