What Happens During a Migraine?
Migraine Headache Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person and from migraine to migraine. Five phases can often be identified:
- Prodrome: A variety of warnings can come before a migraine. These may consist of a change in mood (for example, feeling "high," irritable, or depressed) or a subtle change of sensation (for example, a funny taste or smell). Fatigue and muscle tension are also common.
- Aura: This is commonly a visual disturbance that precedes the headache phase. Some migraine sufferers develop blind spots (called scotomas); see geometric patterns or flashing, colorful lights; or lose vision on one side (hemianopsia).
- Headache: Although migraine pain usually appears on one side of the head, 30%-40% of migraines occur on both sides. Throbbing pain may be present. More than 80% of migraineurs feel nauseated, and some vomit. About 70% become sensitive to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). This phase may last 4-72 hours.
- Headache termination: Even if untreated, the pain usually goes away with sleep.
- Postdrome: Other signs of the migraine (for example, inability to eat, problems with concentration, or fatigue) may linger after the pain has disappeared.
Do Your Sleep Habits Trigger Migraines?
If you suffer from migraines, you may want to pay more attention to your sleep habits. That's the message from several studies which show that sleep problems, like insomnia, may actually trigger migraines.
Read the Do Your Sleep Habits Trigger Migraines? article > >
WebMD Medical Reference from eMedicineHealth
Reviewed by
Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on April 19, 2012
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