How to Check Migraine Symptoms?

Migraine pain is a type of headache that is usually experienced on one side of the head resulting in pulsating and throbbing pain. People usually confuse migraine with headache and think it to be just another headache. But the effects of migraine pain go beyond just a nasty headache. It is a neurological disease that can trigger several symptoms, such as nausea, numbness, visual disturbances, tiredness, temporary vision loss, hallucination, etc. Here in this guide, we will help you understand the different stages of migraine and how to check migraine symptoms:

Symptoms of Migraine

Basically, there are four stages of migraine that show up different symptoms. Here we are going to discuss how you can check the migraine symptoms and differentiate between the various stages of migraine:

Prodrome

It is the initial stage of a migraine which gives you an alarming signal before its commencement. Before a day or two when you start having a migraine issue, you are prone to see the below-mentioned symptoms in case of prodrome migraine:

• Food cravings
• Constipation
• Neck stiffness
• Mood swings
• Fluid retention
• Excessive yawning
• An increased urge to urinate quickly and frequently

Aura

Aura, also known as the classic migraine, is a migraine type that can show up before or during a migraine pain. Usually, it comes with a warning that signals you about a migraine pain that can hit you. In such a case, the migraine symptoms tend to increase gradually and can last for about an hour. Here are a few signs that you are prone to witness in case of migraine aura:

• Loss of vision
• Visual phenomena such as flashes of light, bright spots, etc.
• The sensation of feeling the prick of needles and pins in the arm and legs
• Numbness on one side of the body
• Weakness
• Hallucination
• Ringing in the ears
• Difficulty in speech

Attack

A migraine attack can last between four to seventy-two hours if it is overlooked and left untreated. The frequency of migraine attacks may vary from one person to another and can hit a person several times in a month. You can witness the following symptoms in case of a migraine attack:

• Pain on one side of the head
• Throbbing pain
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to sound, light, and even smell.

Post-drome

Post-drome is a condition that commences past a migraine attack. Postdrome can make you feel drained and washed out for a day. In some cases, the movement of the head can also cause migraine pain to show up gain.

Other Symptoms of Migraine

Apart from the signs of migraine mentioned above that one experiences in different migraine stages, here are a few more symptoms that you are prone to notice:

• Abdominal pain
• Lack of concentration
• Diarrhoea
• Sweating
• Sickness

Who Can Experience Migraine Pain? 

Migraine can hit the young and the elderly alike, but there are chances that you may be more vulnerable to getting a migraine owing to some of the reasons mentioned below:

• Gender: Migraine problems are more common in women as compared to men. Especially women who lie in the age group of 15 to 55 years are more prone to experience migraine headaches. The hormones are to be blamed for such a difference in experiencing migraine in the case of women.
• Genetics: Migraines have a tendency to run down the family tree. If you have a family member who has migraine issues, it is more likely to pass down to you. It is believed that every four out of five migraine patients have a migraine family history.
• Allergies: Allergies can trigger inflammation and irritation. Since migraine is a neurological disorder associated with blood vessel inflammation, allergies can ignite migraine pain.
• Other reasons, such as excessive smoking, can also cause migraine issues.
• Stress is another reason that can make you a migraine patient, which triggers the migraine symptoms.

Frequency of migraine

The frequency of getting migraine pain or migraine attack can vary from one person to another. The frequency may vary between getting migraine pain once a week, once a month, or even once a year. Also, the count can increase to two and four.

Treatment for migraine

To date, there is no such specific cure for migraine, but there are surely medications and other lifestyle changes that can help you get over the migraine episodes; here are a few of them:

Over-the-counter medicines

Several medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, can be used to get relief from migraine and headaches. Going by a study, it was found that even melatonin can help in calming down the effects of migraine. But, before you consume any of them, make sure that you consult with your doctor because the dosage may vary from person to person, and you may also have restrictions on taking the medications based on your medical history.

Making changes in your lifestyle

Even lifestyle changes can help in reducing the frequent episodes of migraine. Inculcating the habit of exercising regularly, having a healthy diet, avoiding trigger foods and junk, practicing yoga and meditation, etc., can help keep your migraine normal.

Prescription medications

If you experience migraine pain quite frequently, over-the-counter medications may not be enough, and you may need medical assistance. Paying a visit to a doctor and getting prescribed medications can help in managing migraine symptoms.

Conclusion

We hope that this guide has given you enough knowledge so that you do not overlook a migraine headache by treating it as a regular headache. Knowing the difference can help you take early precautions and medications that can help fight migraine.