All You Need To Know About Migraines : Causes, Forms and Symptoms

• Prodrome: this is precisely warning symptoms of migraine headache. Several symptoms are said to precede a migraine headache for instance unpredictable mood changes, sensation, fatigue or even muscle tension.
• Auditory and visual disturbances: A lot of people are said to experience blood spots otherwise known as scotomas. In such instances one sees geometric patterns and may even experience vision only on one side, a condition known as hemianopsia not to mention that they can still have auditory or hearing hallucinations.
• Headache: shockingly, some migraineurs normally experience migraine pains on both sides whereas migraine pain is known to affect one side of the head. As a result throbbing pain is likely to occur causing other effects such as nausea and vomiting. At such times a person becomes very sensitive to light and touch. In most cases, this phase takes 4-72 hours. However, the headache goes away after one takes a rest even if it is not treated.
• Postdrome: this is the period after which the migraine stops yet some individuals continue experiencing the effects of the condition. 

In regard to the International Headache Society, chronic migraine is the type of headache that is known to last for more than 15 days each month over a period of three months. If by any case you have such an experience, chances are that you are suffering from chronic migraine. The good news is that this migraine is quite rare and only affects one percent of the world’s population. Chronic migraine is known to cause withdrawal from work, school, house work or even social activities as a result of its nature not to mention the prolonged time it lasts. In addition, this condition is known to reduce efficiency and productivity.

5. What are Migraine Auras?

6. What Are The Types Of Migraines ?

6.1) Hemiplegic migraines

People with hemiplegic migraines experience paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, speech and vision disorders, and other symptoms that often mimic a stroke, and by the way, this type of migraine has often been confused with a stroke. This is because it has a numbing and/or paralysing effect usually on one side of the body otherwise known as hemiplegia. The paralysis is accompanied by severe pain and sometimes no pain at all and is usually temporary, but it can last for several days. Hemiplegic migraines often start in one’s childhood or teenage and in some cases disappear during/through adulthood.
The main difference between hemiplegic migraines and a stroke is that the disabling comes slowly and builds while in a stroke it’s instantaneous. Usually preceded by an aura that lasts from 5 – 60 minutes, hemiplegic migraines are among the most severe types of migraines.
Two types of hemiplegic migraine exist:
–  Family hemiplegic migraine: it is a hereditary genetic migraine disorder that causes hemiplegic migraines. (Genetic examination can determine if a person has the genetic mutations that are associated with this type of migraine.)
–  Sporadic hemiplegic migraine: it is associated with hemiplegic migraines that occur in people without genetic disease and without a family history of hemiplegic migraine. They are diagnosed on a person with symptoms of a hemiplegic migraine on several occasions.

6.2) Ocular migraines (optical migraines, ophthalmic migraines)

Also known as eye/retinal migraines, they are painless and characterised by visual disturbances affecting one or both eyes; It is like a hole in the lateral visual field, at first small, surrounded by scintillating crenellations in the manner of an electric filament. This visual hole seems gradually to enlarge and is manifested to both eyes. They do not need any form of medication and over in a span of 20- 30 minutes.
Sometimes, a headache follows after the visual disturbance. In this case, the disturbance is not termed as a migraine but an aura preceding the migraine headache. The headache usually affects one side of the head and originates from behind the eye.

6.3) Vestibular migraines

This kind of migraine occurs in people who have a history of migraine symptoms. In most cases, vestibular migraines are not accompanied by headaches. It is basically a nervous system problem that causes dizziness.
Vestibular refers to the inner ear. This is the part of the body that controls hearing and balance. Given the function of the vestibular, balance problems and dizziness are the main symptoms. Sensitivity to sound and motion sensitivity are also experienced at time. These symptoms skyrocket if one has anxiety.
Adults are more prone to vestibular migraines as it might take years of migraines before the vertigo symptoms begin. In some rare cases, children have shown symptoms of vestibular migraines.

6.4) Abdominal / Stomach migraines

A stomach migraine is an form of severe stomach pain associated with nausea and vomiting. It is considered a migraine of the stomach or abdominal migraine because it has all the characteristics of a migraine without headaches. This variant of migraine is relatively rare and, as a result, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose.

Abdominal migraines are prevalent in infants, toddlers, children and teens. Studies have shown that up to around 4% of children experience abdominal migraines. Most of these children come from a family that have a history of migraines.
This type of migraine is known to disappear on its own once the child has grown up. In very rare and severe cases, some adults have experienced abdominal migraines. As a result of its rare occurrence in adults, it might take years to correctly diagnose it in them.

6.5) Basilar migraines

Basilar migraine is related to the base of the brain, known as the brain stem, which is located near an important blood vessel known as the basilar artery. Basilar migraine affects men and women, but women are affected three times more frequently than men, such as classic migraine. Basilar migraine characterized by an aura that produces symptoms such as double vision, dizziness, balance problems, disorders in hearing and speech. It can also cause weakness or loss of strength on one side of the body, or numbness or tingling in the arms or legs on one side of the body. Loss of consciousness is also possible; In these cases, it is necessary to quickly consult a medical emergency because it can be a stroke. In general, basilar migraine lasts an hour or less.

6.6) Menstrual migraines

Some women are unlucky. On top of the discomfort that comes with periods, some of them have migraines. Migraines that occur slightly before or during periods are referred to as menstrual migraines. They are mainly believed to be caused by the low levels of oestrogen. The levels of this hormone fall before menstrual flow begins and remain low during the flow.
Once the oestrogen levels fall, the body adjust to the new level. The phase before and during adjustment is what triggers the migraine. Menstrual migraines are often accompanied by headaches. Symptoms of menstrual migraines greatly improve due to the consistent high levels of oestrogen.

Of course, there are somme other types of rare migraines that are not mentioned here.

7. Migraines during Pregnancy

First time pregnancies are known to cause migraines. Plus pregnant women who have a history of migraines tend to experience more migraines during their pregnancy. During pregnancy the hormones are usually out of control thus increasing the chances of suffering from a migraine. Not to mention that it is also triggers other conditions for instance dropping of the blood sugar, emotional and physical stress, tension, nasal congestion as well as overheating. These conditions increase the possibility of a migraine.
It also happens that the women who suffer from migraines during their monthly periods end up experiencing such headaches less often during pregnancy. Word has it that, the fewer migraines experienced during pregnancy is as a result of high levels of estrogen.

8. How to Get Rid of Migraines?

9. Home Tips and Remedies