Migraine - Symptoms

A migraine attack can last for few hours or days.

There are many forms of migraine headaches. The classic migraine and the common migraine are the two main types.

Classic Migraine- Prodrome symptoms or ‘aura’ can be seen in some patients. This warns of an approaching migraine attack. The patient may feel a change in the eyesight. Bright spots or zigzag lines will be seen. The change in eyesight is often followed by numbness and tingling of the lips, face, hands (on one or both sides), weakness of an arm or leg, dizziness, unsteadiness in walking, drowsiness, slight confusion of thinking, and inability to speak or slurred speech. Many patients will not have most of these symptoms. They will have one or two of these symptoms. The symptoms may last for 5 to 15 minutes or more. As these symptoms disappear, a throbbing headache begins on one side of the head. They will also experience nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise.

Common Migraine- This type comes without any warning signs. A throbbing headache begins and the location of the headache varies. The pain may be on both sides of the head, or it may shift from side to side. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise usually accompany the headache.

Postdrome symptoms or migraine hangover can be seen in some patients. Symptoms include-

• Cognitive difficulties
• Pain in the head and/or neck
• Increased desire to rest or sleep
• Mood changes