The most commonly occurring symptom of a migraine is a throbbing headache that affects one side of the head, although many patients may also report symptoms like nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or noise. These migraine symptoms will typically interfere with your day-to-day routine and activities of daily living.
Other common migraine symptoms include changes in vision (like flashes of light or brighter images), tingling of the face or extremities, and increased weakness. These symptoms are generally temporary and are usually a sign of a migraine aura, which precedes the actual migraine.
If you experience migraine symptoms, frequently, you are advised to consult your family doctor or neurologist for assessment and treatment. Many patients find relief and reduced migraine flare-ups with analgesic and anticonvulsant medications.
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Signs and symptoms of a migraine
The main symptoms of a migraine include:
- Intense headache that lasts about 3 hours, but can persist for up to 3 days
- Throbbing headache that occurs more on one side of the head
- Changes to sleep and appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision or streaks of light in the vision field
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Sensitivity to certain smells, like perfume or cigarette smoke
- Difficulty concentrating
It is also common for headaches to worsen with activities of daily living, like going up or down stairs, driving or bending over.
In addition to these symptoms, you may also experience vision changes, like flashes of light or brightness. The indicate the presence of a migraine with aura.
Headache vs migraine
To differentiate a migraine from other types of headache, it is important to consult your family doctor or neurologist for assessment, The doctor will perform a physical examination and evaluate your symptoms to reach a diagnosis.
Unlike other headaches, migraine pain is typically throbbing and occurs on only one side of the head. Migraine symptoms usually worsen with exertion or movement, and may also include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light or noise.
In some cases, the doctor may order additional testing (like a CT scan or MRI) to rule out the possibility of a more serious condition, like a brain tumor or aneurysm.
What causes migraines?
Migraines can be caused by hormonal changes (as expected throughout the menstrual cycle, or with pregnancy) as well as stress, poor diet, and inadequate or excessive sleep.
I some cases, a migraine attack can occur after drinking beverages such as wine or coffee and eating foods such as chocolate, cheese, ice cream or nuts. Read more about what causes migraines and what can trigger them.
Who is most at-risk for a migraine?
The causes of migraines are still not very well known, although they are more common in women due to hormonal changes with the menstrual cycle. In addition, people who experience periods of high stress or have difficulty falling asleep tend to suffer from migraines.
Other factors, like use of certain medications, eating processed foods and weather changes can all increase the chances of triggering a migraine.
Treatment options
Treatment of a migraine should be directed by a neurologist, who may prescribe medications like sumatriptan, rizatriptan and lasmiditan can help with relieving pain, while other medication can help with related symptoms (like metoclopramide for nausea).
To treat a migraine effectively, it is important to learn how to recognize the first symptoms that normally occur before a headache, like general malaise, pain at the back of the neck, mild dizziness or sensitivity to light, smells or noise. That way, you can start treatment as soon as possible. Learn more about the specific medications used and the natural home remedies you can use to complement prescribed treatment.