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Everything You Need to Know about Migraines

Migraines are excruciating, pounding headaches that can last for hours or even days. These headaches typically start in the forehead, on the side of the head, or around the eyes. It later on worsens, and any action, bright light, or loud noise appears to aggravate it. Migraines may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Women are also more prone than men to suffer from migraines.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about migraines.

Understanding the Migraine Headache

The discomfort of a migraine headache can be excruciating and bothersome. There’s no exact time that they come but a foreboding sensation hours or days before your headache that indicate the onset of a migraine. Some may even say that a migraine could keep them from getting up in the morning and going about their day. However, migraines do not impact everyone the same way. 

Migraine Symptoms

Among the migraine symptoms are the following:

  • A throbbing or dull hurting sensation on one or both sides of the head.
  • Pain that worsens as a result of physical activity.
  • Vomiting.
  • Eyesight changes, such as impaired vision or blind spots
  • You are bothered by light, noise, or scents.
  • Exhausted and/or perplexed
  • Nose blockage
  • Cold or perspiring.
  • An ache in the neck.
  • Lightheadedness.
  • Scalp pain.

The Classic Migraine 

Auras appear before classic migraines (also known as complex migraines). These migraines are also referred to as “migraines with aura.” Auras frequently cause vision impairment that comes with flashing lights, colors, lines, or shadows. Particularly, peripheral vision may be lost.

Auras might persist between 15 and 30 minutes. Auras can appear before or after a headache. Aura and pain can occur together or separately. Migraine headaches are prevalent, affecting one or both hemispheres of the brain.

The Chronic Migraine

In chronic migraines, auras are uncommon. These types of headaches are sometimes referred to as “aura-less migraines.” Common migraines start more slowly, persist longer, and affect everyday activities more than classic migraines. Pain on only one side of the head is a common symptom of a migraine. 

The Silent Migraine

Silent migraines are characterized by a variety of migraine symptoms but do not cause pain. At the very least, it wasn’t the typical migraine eye and temple pain. An aura may accompany this form of migraine. Here, you may be sensitive to light and sound.

The Hemiplegic Migraine

Similar to strokes, hemiplegic migraines induce temporary weakness on one side of the body. The weakness could affect your face, arm, or leg. Weaknesses can last anywhere from an hour to a few days. It usually goes away within 24 hours. The headache could start before or after the weakening.

Retinal Migraines

Retinal migraines cause vision changes that are independent of aura-related vision changes. Retinal migraines cause blurred vision or even temporary blindness in one eye. Then, the headaches come whether they are pre- or post-headaches.

The Ice Pick Headache

The ice pick headache involves pain around the eyes and temples. These stabbing pains may reoccur in the same spot or move around, and may strike at any time. Individuals who suffer from migraines are more likely to experience ice pick headaches.

The Cluster Headache

Cluster headaches are not the same as migraines. Cluster headaches are infrequent and appear in clusters, such as at the same time every day for a week or possibly a month. They are also frequently the source of unilateral headaches.

The Cervicogenic Headache

This is a type of headache caused by another illness or injury, most commonly a neck condition. An abrupt neck movement is typically the source of this type of headache. A prolonged neck posture can result in a cervicogenic headache. Hours, if not days, of agony

Conclusion

Because migraines are so common and painful for everyone, we should take it upon ourselves to learn about them more. Knowing the different types of headaches you could get from a migraine, you can identify exactly what you are experiencing at that time and relieve yourself from the pain and discomfort.

If you’re in need of migraine headaches treatment, Live Well Rochester is dedicated to helping you with your chronic health issues. Reach out to us today! 

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