What are the Symptoms of Migraines?

What are the Symptoms of Migraines?

What are the Symptoms of Migraines?

There are many types of headaches and they can be felt in different parts of the brain.  But migraines are usually felt on one side of the head and they radiate back towards the base of the brain.

There are also several different types of migraine headaches. Each type can have a different symptomatology and clinical condition. The majority of migraine sufferers are women and sometimes migraines can become worse when women are pregnant.

The symptoms of the most common migraines include a throbbing headache on one side of the head. The headache will usually occur with moderate to severe intensity. The migraine headaches will continue to increase in severity with physical activity.

Some people fell feel nauseous which may cause vomiting. Another prominent symptom is that individuals will find they become sensitive to light, noise and some aromas.

A very common symptom of migraines is that of the aura.  An aura is a neurological condition that is experienced somewhere between 10 and 30 minutes prior to a migraine.  The auras are visual and present themselves as shimmering lights around images.

A basilar migraine is a specific type of migraine which involves a disturbance of the brain stem.  Symptoms usually include severe headache, double vision, slurred speech and poor muscle coordination.

People who suffer from basilar migraine headaches should wear a medical alert bracelet so that in the event that a migraine occurs they can get the most appropriate medical treatment possible. Basilar headaches are sometimes misdiagnosed as a stroke or as the patient being under the influence of drugs. This is why the alert bracelet can be very effective.

Migraines impact a large percentage of the population in the United States. In fact it is believed that up to 30 million people in the United States suffer from migraines.  Migraine headaches can occur in almost any age group but typically they can begin to afflict patients between the ages of 10 and 40.  These headaches will tend to diminish after the age of 50.

There has been a lot of research focused on migraines. The key issues are on treating the migraine headaches and on how to prevent them from reoccurring. Another key point is whether there is a genetic relationship as to why people have migraines.

With the additional focused research and the improved imaging technologies, doctors are developing better treatments and have a stronger knowledge as to how and why migraines occur.  There is a lot of hope that better medications will be developed and that a cure may be on the way.

You should always consult with your doctor before taking any medication or beginning any medical program.

For additional information about migraine headaches visit our previous post.