When people think “migraine,” they only tend think about the pain associated with migraine. In reality, a migraine consists of far more than the pain. A typical migraine attack actually consists of four parts, which are referred to as phases or components. It’s important to note that not every migraineur experiences all four phases. Also, a migraine attack can vary with different phases being experienced during individual attacks.
According to the American Headache Society, the four phases of migraine consist of:
- prodrome
- aura
- headache
- postdrome
The Prodrome
The prodrome (sometimes called preheadache or premonitory phase) can be experienced hours or even days before a migraine attack. The prodrome can be thought of as a migraineur’s “yellow light,” or warning that a migraine is imminent.
Potential symptoms of the prodrome include:
- concentration problems,
- depression,
- difficulty reading (aphasia)
- difficulty speaking (aphasia)
- diarrhea,
- fatigue,
- food cravings,
- hyperactivity,
- hypoactivity,
- increased thirst
- increased urination,
- nausea,
- phonophobia,
- photophobia,
- repetitive yawning,
- sleep issues, and
- stiff neck.
The Aura
The aura is the most talked about, and most commonly known of all the possible phases. The symptoms and effects of the aura vary widely. While most people probably think of aura as being strictly visual, auras can have a wide range of symptoms, including:
- visual
- flashing lights,
- wavy lines, spots,
- partial loss of sight,
- blurry vision, phosphenes -brief flashes of light that streak across the visual field,
- total blindness in one eye
- other:
- hypersensitivity to feel and touch
- difficult finding words and/or speaking
- auditory hallucinations — hearing things that aren’t really there
- confusion
- decrease in or loss of hearing
- dizziness
- motor weakness
- hiccups
- neck pain
- tingling or numbness of the face or extremities on the side where the headache develops.
- reduced sensation
The Headache
If you suffer from migraines, you will be aware that the headache phase is generally the most debilitating part of a migraine attack. It does not just affect the head, but affects the entire body. The headache pain can range from mild to severe, and can be so intense that it is difficult to comprehend by other people who have not experienced it. Characteristics of the headache phase may include:
- headache pain that is often on one side. This pain can shift to the other side or become bilateral.
- Although migraine pain can occur at any time of day, statistics have shown the most common time to be 6 a.m. It is not uncommon for migraineurs to be awakened by the pain.
- The trigeminal nerve becomes inflamed during a migraine, so pain can also occur in the areas of the eyes, sinuses, and jaw.
- This phase usually lasts from one to 72 hours, but can last longer.
- The pain is worsened by any physical activity.
- Increased sensitivity to sound
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Increased sensitivity to odors
- neck pain
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea or constipation
- nasal congestion and/or runny nose
- depression, severe anxiety
- hot flashes and chills
- dizziness
- vertigo
- confusion
- dehydration or fluid retention, depending on the individual body’s reactions
The Postdrome
Just because the headache is over, it doesn’t mean that the “migraine attack” is over. The postdrome (post-headache) follows immediately afterward. The majority of migraineurs take hours to fully recover; some take days. Many sufferers describe postdrome as feeling “like a zombie” or “hung-over.” The symptoms of prodrome may include:
- lowered mood levels, especially depression
- feelings of well-being and euphoria
- fatigue
- poor concentration and comprehension
- lowered intellect levels
The Subtle Migraine Symptoms
With that said, I wanted to talk a little more about some of the more subtle symptoms of migraine, which we don’t always associate with migraine, or notice when they are occurring. Some of these symptoms might be a precursor to a migraine. Here are the subtle migraine symptoms you might want to look out for and be aware of so that you can more easily avoid your next migraine attack.
1. Yawning. Unless you are really sleep deprived or it’s late at night, yawning is a wide-open sign that your brain is craving more oxygen because it’s not getting enough.
2. Exhaustion. Can you tell if it is just your lifestyle or what’s going on in your life, or it is possibly a migraine causing exhaustion? In our current society, it seems we all tend to live in a perpetual state of exhaustion. If you can’t explain it another way, this could be your first clue.
3. Urination. Lots of things cause you to want to go to the bathroom, of course. Some of those things would include things like caffeinated drinks, alcohol, UTIs, some types of medication, and of course, if you drink a lot of water. However, it can also an early warning sign of an incoming migraine attack. So, pay attention to see if you have this symptom.
4. Neck Pain. One myth in migraine circles is that neck pain is a trigger for migraine pain. However, according to Dr. David Buchholz, author of “Heal Your Headache,” that is not the case. Instead, it is merely a symptom of the migraine starting in the premonitory phase. While it is possible you could have neck pain from sleeping wrong or craning your neck, it could also be your first migraine clue.
5. Light Sensitivity. You know that feeling – that light feels blinding to you, while others around you view it as just normal. If you feel the need to wear sunglasses indoors, it should be a clue to you. If fluorescent bulbs inside grocery stores, offices and big retailers suddenly feel irritating to you, that could be another clue.
6. Sensitive Smell. Sometimes you find yourselves asking people, “can you smell that?” It could be gas fumes, the aroma of food, garbage odor or even cleaning products that suddenly overwhelm you. Pay attention to that. Yes, it could be another clue.
7. Sensitivity to Noise. Just as if you were in a hall where the acoustics make people hear what they wouldn’t normally hear, as a migraine sufferer, you can hear things you wouldn’t otherwise be able to hear. Maybe the music on the radio or sound on the TV suddenly feels thunderous to you while to those around you, it seems normal. According to the American Migraine Foundation, after these things happen, a migraine can proceed into the aura phase in some migraine sufferers.
Migraine sufferers know that the most common type of aura consists of visual migraine symptoms such as seeing flashing lights, squiggly lines, or losing vision in small areas of the visual field. This aura may also be associated with tingling or numbness on one side of the face and even into the hand, and you may experience difficulty understanding or expressing speech. We are so much more aware of this part of a migraine than these few inconspicuous types of pre-head symptoms.
A great way to be able to pinpoint if you have sensitives in these areas, and if these “inconspicuous” symptoms affect you, is by keeping a migraine journal. This can lead to a great breakthrough for you. If you know what your pre-headache symptoms are, the more easily you can thwart the attack.
Catching migraines as early as possible is your best bet to “catch the enemy by surprise.”
Be aware of what your triggers and pre-headache symptoms are!
I can help you identify the underlying cause of your migraines and get you on the right treatment plan. So don’t be another migraine statistic this year! Are you ready to explore your options for migraine management? Holistic Health & Wellness offers FREE CONSULTATIONS! To schedule your FREE strategy breakthrough session with me ==>CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE NOW<==