There are many different symptoms of migraines. However, there’s typically a set of key indicators that make it easy to diagnose a migraine. Some of these indicators can also help you identify any triggers you might have in your life. The symptoms of migraines are as unique as each individual who experiences them. But most people experience similar indicators when they have a migraine, and many of them overlap with other headache types as well. There are several primary indicators that can point to a migraine, including onset time, location, pain type, duration, associated triggers and more. In this article we'll look at some of the most important symptoms of migraines to know about if you think you might have them.
Know The Basics
- Migraine: Migraine is a general term for headaches that have certain distinguishing features. Migraine headaches have several common symptoms, including pulsating or throbbing pain, a sensation of pressure or tightening (like a band around your head), sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite, exhaustion, irritability and/or depression. - Headache Type: Migraine is a type of headache. The cause of migraine headaches is unknown, but they do not appear to be related to structural problems with the brain or other parts of the head and neck. - Triggers: Certain things may trigger the onset of migraine headaches in people who have migraine. Triggers may include certain foods, weather or changes in weather, lack of sleep, stress, certain odors, changes in hormones in women, excessive caffeine and certain medications. - Treatments: Treatment for migraine headaches may include medicines, lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques and other therapies. - Severity Levels: Certain characteristics of a migraine headache can help people decide how severe the headache is. These characteristics include the pain level (such as intensity and throbbing quality), the duration of the headache, the nausea and vomiting that may accompany the headache, and the feeling of general health that a person has during the headache. - Migraine Symptoms: Some of the most common migraine symptoms are headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, fatigue and mood changes.
Throbbing Headache Timing & Duration
- Onset Time: Headaches that are likely to be migraine headaches usually start at any time of day, although they are most common in the middle of the day or at night. - Duration: Most migraine headaches last between four and 72 hours. - Pain Intensity: The pain intensity of migraine headaches varies from mild to severe. - Pain Location: The pain from an acute migraine headache is usually located on one side of the head. - Associated Symptoms: Other symptoms that can accompany migraine headaches include nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise, fatigue and mood changes such as depression. - Triggers: Some symptoms are more likely to be related to triggers for migraine headaches than others. For example, a worsening of a headache that is accompanied by nausea or vomiting may mean that the person is sensitive to certain foods or drinks. Changes in weather, stress, lack of sleep and other factors may also trigger migraine headaches in some people.
Light & Sound Triggering
- Light Sensitivity: Many people who have migraine headaches report that they are sensitive to light during their headaches. Sometimes the light hurts their eyes, and at other times the light seems painful even when it is not directed at the eyes. - Sound Sensitivity: Many people who have migraine headaches also report sensitivity to sounds during their headaches. Sometimes the sounds seem loud, even when they are decibel levels that do not bother other people. - Sensitivity to Smells: Some people who have migraine headaches report sensitivity to certain smells during their headaches. - Triggers: Light, sounds, smells and other factors that may trigger a migraine headache are called triggers. - Triggers: Most triggers for migraine headaches are based on two things. The first is a person’s sensitivity to a trigger. The second is how much the trigger affects the person. - Expected Duration: It is possible for the sensitivity to light, sounds, smells and other factors that trigger migraines to last as long as the migraine headache itself.
Nasal Congestion & Tearing
- Nasal Congestion: A blocked or stuffed nose is a symptom of a migraine headache in many cases. - Tearing: Both eyes may tear or one eye may be watery, or one eye may be completely red and watery. - Triggers: Some triggers for migraine headaches are based on a person’s sensitivity to certain factors. - Expected Duration: These symptoms can last as long as the migraine headache itself.
Confirmed Diagnosis? Conclusion
You may be wondering when to expect the migraine symptoms. If you have a migraine, then you are either experiencing the symptoms now, or you will have them soon. The best way to understand and treat your migraines is to keep a migraine journal. A journal can help you track triggers, symptoms and treatments to help you become more empowered over your migraines. Now that you understand the different symptoms, you can be more aware of when they appear. This will help you reduce the impact they have on your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment