What is a migraine?

Migraine is a throbbing type of headache usually occurring on one side of the head. It can occur at any age but is more common in young adults and middle age person. It is less common in young children. Migraine headache can last from a few hours to a few days. This headache is usually very intense and can interfere with the daily life activities of a person.

In most of the patients, the migraine occurs in four phases:

1. Prodrome
2. Aura
3. Headache
4. Postdrome.

But it is not necessary that these stages will be present in each migraine patient, and each time.

Symptoms of Migraine

Symptoms of migraine depend on the phase of migraine.

1. Prodrome Phase:

This is the phase that starts 24 to 48 hours before the commencement of the actual headache. These are like warning signs to the patients. The symptoms of prodrome may be:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Mood swing
• Loss of appetite and constipation
• Frequent urination
• Nausea
• Loss of sleep
• Neck stiffness
• Sound and light sensitivity.

2. Aura phase:

This is the phase that occurs just before or during the migraine. These are the neurosensory sensations that the patient feels or sees as visuals or other sensory forms. During an aura, a patient may feel:

• Some buzzing or whistling sound in the ears.
• See dark or bright spots in front of the eyes.
• Difficulty speaking
• Pricking, crawling, or touch sensation on skin.
• Partial paralytic feeling in one side of the body.

3. Migraine Headache Phase:

This is the actual attack phase during which the patient suffers from a severe headache, usually on one side of the head. This pain may last from a few hours to a few days. During this phase, the common symptoms are:

• Severe one-sided headache.
• Throbbing, pulsating sensation in the head.
• Aggravation of headache from sound and light.
• Nausea and vomiting.

4. Postdrome (Resolution) Phase:

This phase occurs when the main migraine headache attack is over. Postdrome is also often called the “migraine hangover”. During this phase, the patient may feel tired and irritable. This phase may last for a few hours to a few days. Common postdrome symptoms are as follows:

• Headache on exertion.
• Stiffness of the neck.
• Sensitivity to light/sound.
• Dizziness or an unsteady feeling.
• Sleepiness or insomnia.
• Appetite changes.

Causes of Migraine

The exact cause of migraine is unknown, but it’s usually triggered by a combination of factors in a person who’s prone to it. Common causes/triggers include:

• Hormonal changes (periods, pregnancy, menopause).
• Stress.
• Overstrain of the eyes.
• Poor or irregular sleep.
• Skipping meals / fasting.
• Dehydration.
• The weather changes.
• Strong sensory stimuli (bright light, loud noise, strong smells).
• Physical exertion.
• Poor posture.
• Some illnesses, especially colds/sinus issues.
• Depression, Anxiety.
• Family history of migraine.

How Often Does the Migraine Occur

The frequency of migraine changes from person to person. Some may feel a few times a week, others may feel a few times a month, or some people may feel a few times a year.