Migraine Symptoms
Migraine Symptoms: The Aura Phase
Aura symptoms are sensory disturbances that generally signal an attack is coming. They typically last 5-60 minutes and precede the onset of head pain, though they may be ongoing for some. It’s also possible to experience aura symptoms and never get head pain at all. Like all migraine symptoms, aura symptoms and their intensity vary from attack to attack, and some people never experience them at all.
Read MoreThe Four Phases of Migraine Attacks
Did you know there are four phases to migraine attacks? Did you know that each “phase” comes with its own sweet set of symptoms? It’s not just nausea, vomiting and head pain—as if that isn’t enough by itself! We’re going to look at vision distortion, cravings, emotional changes, energy levels, and much more! And, we’re going to look at when each of these MIGHT occur during a migraine attack. Then of course, there’s the sweet “interictal period.” That time in between attacks when theoretically you are symptom-free, but in reality… that is often far from the truth! That’s a topic for another blog, but in short —migraine attacks are complex, unpredictable and debilitating, but being armed with information can help!
Read MoreAttack-Based Care: Triggers
Migraine triggers are that all elusive aspect of life with migraine. They’re something we have all heard of, and something we tend to talk a lot about. However, did you know that some triggers can result in more treatment resistant, faster escalating, or more debilitating attacks, while others seem to result in less severe attacks? So, how can we approach treating a migraine attack based on what triggered it? Knowing this can help you come up with an attack-based plan where you can quickly decide how to treat. For example, you will have a better idea of whether to start with an FDA-cleared medical device, rest and OTC medication, or jump straight into your full-strength rescue medication, a dark room, and the need to cancel all appointments or work.
Read MoreAttack-Based Care: Symptoms
Nausea? Head pain ? Vision distortion? What are your SYMPTOMS when a migraine attack hits? We know that no two people have the same migraine experience but did you know that even with the same person, attacks can have different symptoms. It’s really important to know what your symptoms are and how they affect you, because that will help you figure out what options you will use to treat different attacks!
Read MoreMigraine Symptoms: Visual Disturbances
Many people with migraine experience visual disturbances. As is true with other migraine symptoms, visual disturbances vary from person to person and attack to attack. Visual disturbances can greatly impact your sensory system and cause an increase in anxiety. In addition, they can make it difficult, or even impossible, to go about normal activities.
Read MoreMigraine Symptoms: A Closer Look at GI Issues
Gastrointestinal symptoms commonly accompany migraine attacks. Although they do not necessarily come along with every attack, these symptoms can be quite debilitating and difficult to treat when they do. They can also add to the already intense pain of an attack and leave you feeling drained for days.
Read MoreMigraine Symptoms: A Closer Look at Head Pain
Arguably the most debilitating symptom, head pain, presents in many forms. It can vary from person to person and attack to attack, and it has the power to bring daily activities to a complete halt.
Read MoreMore Than Just a Headache: Examining Migraine Symptoms
Intense head pain is usually the most notable migraine symptom, but it is not the only one. Today we begin a new blog series, More Than Just a Headache: Examining Migraine Symptoms to take a closer look at the variety of ailments that often come along for the ride. We hope to help you better understand your unique set of migraine symptoms and offer tips for managing them.
Read MoreDo I Have Migraine or Cluster Headaches?
Migraine disease and trigeminal autonomic cephalgia (TAC – which includes cluster headache) are two different primary headache disorders. While it is possible to have both, one does not morph into the other, the severity of migraine does not change the diagnosis, and there is no such thing as “cluster migraine”! Accurate diagnosis is crucial but can be tricky, so it’s important to work with a certified headache specialist who can help you navigate this process and figure out what treatments might have a higher success rate for you. Knowing some of these key differences between migraine and cluster will help with that process:
Read MoreWhat is a Migraine Attack Really Like?
Have you ever wondered what a migraine attack is really like? For anyone who has ever experienced a bad migraine attack you will be well aware that it is so much more than just a headache – it is often a whole body breakdown that can leave you only partially functioning or even unable to…
Read MoreThe Real Face of Migraine May Surprise You
Some of the strongest and most resilient people I know are those who live with chronic migraine. That may be surprising to many, but migraine is not your typical “headache.” The Interictal Period In fact, the disease presents itself in a wide variety of ways, many of which can be completely disabling and on a…
Read MoreChocolate Does NOT Trigger My Migraine Attacks
Please, please stop telling me to stop eating chocolate! I wish it were that simple to make my migraine stop, but migraine triggers never are. I still remember being an inpatient for three weeks of intensive migraine treatment and being “banned” from the hospital store! However, one good thing that came out of it was…
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