Unfortunately there are millions of people around the world who experience migraine headaches on a regular or chronic basis. Even though so many individuals are effected by migraine headaches a lot of people are not aware of the facts about migraines, how they specifically affects people who suffer from them, and more importantly most individuals are not aware of the many different types of treatment options for migraine headaches that exist. Each person who suffers from migraine headaches experiences different triggers, warnings signs or symptoms during the course of their migraine headaches, however almost all migraine sufferers will go through the four separate stages of migraine headaches.
The Migraine Stages
- 1. Prodrome – this is the first of the stages of migraine headaches. Symptoms that occur during the prodrome stage will typically appear one to two days before the actual migraine attack occurs. Symptoms most commonly appearing in the prodrome phase include constipation, depression, diarrhea, food cravings (especially those that are high in sugar or salt), hyperactivity, irritability, as well as neck or back stiffness. Although some migraine sufferers may experience the opposite and have symptoms of giddiness, happiness, or be full of energy during the prodrome stage.
- 2. Aura – the second of the migraine headaches stages, the aura stage, is generally defined as being visual in nature but can also involve sensory, motor, as well as verbal disturbances. The aura stage usually begins gradually but will build over time and most commonly lasts anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Some of the symptoms associated with the aura stage include Visual occurrences (such as seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light), loss of vision, sensations including pins and needles (usually in the arms or legs), as well as speech or language problems. The aura stage, or more specifically actually seeing auras is a stage that is felt in different levels by migraine sufferers, and some individuals do not necessarily “notice” the presence of auras but are more sensitive to light and/or sound.
- 3. Attack – the third of the migraine headaches stages is the attack stage. This is the stage where the most pain and discomfort is felt by the individual. Symptoms of the attack stage include pain in the head (usually unilaterally and often either pulsating or throbbing in nature), sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes even smells, Nausea, Vomiting, Blurred Vision, Diarrhea, Lightheadedness, as well as sometimes even fainting. The attack stage usually peaks and then will subside lasting anywhere from 2 – 71 hours in adults or 1-48 hours in children.
- 4. Postdrome – This is the fourth and final of the migraine headaches stages. In this stage individuals usually have symptoms or feelings of being drained or washed out, report impaired thinking or concentration, and they can experience tenderness in the head, neck, as well as the stomach. Other symptoms that can be felt during the final of the migraine stages is gastrointestinal symptoms, mood changes, and even weakness.
Tags: aura, Chronic migraine, headache, migraine attack, migraine headaches, migraine stages, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, postdrome, prodrome
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