Common Symptoms Of Migraines
A migraine is a specific kind headache which is classified as a primary headache. This means, inasmuch as we are aware, that it is not caused by an underlying medical condition. While migraines are more common to women, both men and women can experience this uncomfortable and incapacitating type of headache. There are some universal migraine symptoms which you can use to identify your headache. You may experience all the symptoms of migraine or merely a selection of possible symptoms.
Some people experience what is called a prodrome. This can best be described as symptoms which are precursors to the actual headache. During this time one may experience body aches, insomnia, food cravings, mood swings, lack of focus and sensitivity to light and/or sound. This may, in turn, lead to a phenomenon called an aura, although the aura is not necessarily present in all migraine sufferers. The aura may result in spots or zigzags in the field of vision, or manifest as an enlarging shimmer of light which affects the eyesight. By the time you recognize these preliminary signs of migraine, you can be pretty sure that a headache will follow.
Some of the most widely experienced symptoms of migraine headaches include severe pain which is throbbing in nature, situated on one side of the head, in addition to sensitivity to light and/or sound, nausea and/or vomiting, a stuffy or runny nose, and pain that may lasts anywhere from four hours to as long as three days. Following the migraine headache, the sufferer may continue to experience what is called postdrome, symptoms that occur after the migraine itself is gone. These symptoms may include feelings of disorientation and general sickness, not unlike that of a hangover.
If your migraine headaches occur regularly and have a debilitating effect on your life, it may be time to confer with your doctor about treatment plans. First, you may want to try over the counter pain relievers designed specifically for migraine headaches. For some people these can be quite effective, yet others may require prescription drugs. There are narcotic pain relievers for acute, severe migraine pain, as well as prescription drugs for migraine sufferers taken on a regular basis. These are ones that must be administered by a medical professional. Some people have success by identifying and avoiding headache triggers, thus reducing the number and severity of headaches they experience.
Migraine symptoms are frequently severe enough to cause the sufferer extreme discomfort. During the prodrome period, you may decide to take an over the counter migraine medication and/or take rest in a quiet, dark room to reduce the severity of the headache. Treating the migraine as soon as it occurs is effective for some, while others can find themselves suffering through the entire duration of the headache. With the variety of prevention and treatment options currently available, you and/or your doctor should be able to find a solution that will help to ease the severity and duration of your pain.
