Migraine Types and Symptoms, Triggers & Treatment

Migraines are not just a painful headache; they’re a multifaceted neurological condition that can interfere with all aspects of your life. From the debilitating pain to the secondary symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light, and even visual auras, migraines can be hard to get a grip on. With Cellmaflex, you can book online appointments without making a phone call, access your complete medical history from anywhere, and stay up to date with treatment plans, leading to easier access to medical help. 

In this blog, we’ll explore migraine types and symptoms, their triggers, impacts on daily life, and the treatment options available.  

What are Migraines? 

A migraine is not simply a headache, it’s a neurological disorder that produces severe, incapacitating pain, frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise. Migraines may last from a few hours to a few days and can disrupt work, school, and social life. Knowledge of migraine types and signs is essential for prevention as well as treatment. This blog will guide you in recognising the various kinds of migraines and learning about their triggers, so that you can take charge of your migraine wellbeing.

Prevalence of Migraines and Why It’s Important to Understand Them 

According to WHO, globally, headache disorders affected approximately 40% of the population, or 3.1 billion people in 2021, and are more common in females compared to males.  

Knowing about migraine types and symptoms is important because it enables individuals and medical professionals to better control treatment and prevent triggers. If you have migraines, knowing the causes and types of migraines can enable you to make better decisions regarding your health. 

What are the Phases of a Migraine? 

There are four phases or stages of a migraine: 

• Prodrome: The first phase begins up to 24 hours before you experience a headache.
• Aura: An aura is a group of sensory, motor and/or speech symptoms that act as a warning sign of a migraine headache. The aura phase can last as long as 60 minutes or as little as five. You might experience both the aura and the headache at the same time.
• Headache: A migraine headache lasts between four hours to 72 hours.
• Postdrome: The postdrome stage usually lasts for a few hours up to 48 hours. Symptoms feel similar to an alcohol-induced hangover, which is why the postdrome phase is known as a migraine hangover.

It can take about 8 to 72 hours to go through the four stages. 

Migraine Symptoms 

Migraine symptoms differ depending on the stage. Each migraine is unique, and you won’t always have symptoms during all four stages of each migraine. 

Prodrome symptoms: 

• Mood change 
• Problems concentrating 
• Sleep difficulty 
• Fatigue 
• Nausea
• Increased appetite and thirst
• Urgent need to urinate
  
  

Aura symptoms: 

• Muscle weakness 
• Vision change 
• Ringing in your ears (tinnitus) 
• Sensitivity to touch (as if someone were touching you)
• Numbness and tingling
• Problems speaking or concentrating

Headache Attack Symptoms

Headache slowly becomes more severe. It may occur on one side of your head or both. It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as: 

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Sensitivity to light, sound and smell

Postdrome symptoms 

• Fatigue 
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nausea
• Dizziness
  
  

What Does a Migraine Feel Like? 

Pain from a migraine headache can feel like the following: 

• Throbbing 
• Pulsing
• Pounding
• Dull

A migraine may feel different to every individual. A migraine headache may be either mild or severe. Head pain may begin on one side and change over to the other side. You could also have pain near your eyes or temple, and occasionally near your face, sinuses, jaw or neck. 

Causes and Triggers of Migraines 

       a.  Underlying Causes 

Genetics: Your family history has a lot to do with the potential to get migraines. If your mother or father gets migraines, you are apt to get them too. 

Neurological and Hormonal Factors: The brain chemicals, including serotonin, are sometimes out of balance and lead to migraines. Changes in hormones, particularly in women, tend to be associated with the development of migraine. 

        b.  Common Triggers 

Stress and Changes in Sleep: Emotional and physical stress are among the most common triggers of migraines. Inadequate sleep or disruption of your sleep cycle can also be triggers. 

Diet and Dehydration: Specific foods, such as aged cheese, chocolate, and caffeine, can trigger migraine. Dehydration is also a major trigger that can worsen symptoms. 

Hormonal Changes: Most women have migraines during their menstrual cycle because of hormonal changes. 

Environmental Triggers: Bright lights, pungent smells, and changes in the weather are typical environmental migraine triggers.

Migraine Types 

        a. Migraine Without Aura 

Migraine without aura, also known as a common migraine, is a type of migraine headache that doesn’t involve any warning signs, such as visual disturbances or sensory changes, before the headache. It is the most frequent kind of migraine and usually consists of one-sided, throbbing pain. 

        b. Migraine With Aura 

Migraine with aura, also known as classic migraine, is a headache that is preceded or accompanied by sensory disturbances called auras, such as visual changes, tingling, or numbness. 

         c. Chronic Migraine 

Chronic migraine is defined as experiencing headaches for 15 or more days a month, for at least three months, with at least eight of those days having migraine features. 

          d. Menstrual, Hemiplegic, Vestibular, and Retinal Migraines 

These are less frequent but encompass menstrual-related migraines, hemiplegic migraines (temporary paralysis), vestibular migraines (dizziness), and retinal migraines (vision). 

Every migraine type and symptom can have different degrees of severity and duration, hence, recording your symptoms in detail is necessary to determine effective treatments.  

The Influence of Migraines on Daily Life and Mental Health 

Migraines can have a huge impact on your private and public life. They undermine your capacity for work, study, or participation in social functions. The repetitive pain creates pressure and anxiety caused by the continuum of pain with broken appointments and commitments. Emotionally strained migraines also lead to the occurrence of further attacks, building a vicious circle. 

It’s important to note the emotional and mental health effects of migraines. Monitoring both physical symptoms and emotional well-being is vital. With appointment and medication management through Cellmaflex, you can take a comprehensive approach to migraine treatment.

Treatment Options and Management Strategies 

       a. Medications 

You and your healthcare provider will discuss the specific medication, combination of medications and formulations to best manage your symptoms. All medications should be used under the direction of a headache specialist or provider. As with any medication, it’s important to carefully follow your provider’s instructions. 

      b. Lifestyle Changes 

Sleep Hygiene: Developing a regular sleep pattern can significantly lower migraine frequency. 

Diet and Hydration: Keeping oneself well-hydrated and staying away from identified food triggers can prevent migraines. 

Stress Management: Meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can minimize stress, a main trigger for migraines. 

       c. Non-Medical Therapies 

Acupuncture: Acupuncture can help in alleviating migraine symptoms by stimulating specific pressure points in the body. 

Biofeedback: Biofeedback includes learning to regulate physiological processes such as heart rate and muscle tension to minimize stress and frequency of migraines. 

Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can correct posture and neck tension, which could lead to the development of a migraine. 

Migraines can greatly affect your daily life, but you can minimize their frequency and severity with the appropriate knowledge, treatment, and management. With knowledge about migraines, their types, and symptoms, and proper treatment protocols, you can manage your health.  

Migraines should not interfere with your life. Start taking the first step towards improved migraine control today with Cellmaflex.