Many times migraine headaches begin during childhood and adolescence, but oftentimes these migraine headaches go undiagnosed. Migraine headaches can go through four stages including the prodrome, aura, attack and postdrome. However, all of these stages may not be experienced during each migraine headache.
Prodrome
Approximately one to two day before a migraine headache, a migraine headache sufferer may notice subtle changes that can be a sign that a migraine headache is coming. Symptoms of this stage include constipation, depression, diarrhea, food cravings, hyperactivity, irritability, and neck stiffness.
Aura
Common migraine headaches do not include this stage, an aura. An aura is a stage of a classic migraine headache. While auras are typically visual, they can also be sensory, motor or verbal disturbances. Each aura typically begins gradually, builds up over several minutes, and then can last for 10 to 30 minutes. Common examples of auras include visual phenomena, vision loss, pins and needles sensations in an extremity, or speech problems. Some migraine headache sufferers also experience auras that include aphasia or limb weakness.
Attack
Many migraine headaches should be treated before this stage actually occurs. When a migraine headache is left untreated, the attack stage can last anywhere from four to 72 hours. However, this time frame can greatly vary from person to person. The frequency of migraine headaches can also vary from person to person as well. Migraine headache symptoms can differ from time to time but common one include pain on one or both sides of the head, pain that is pulsating or throbbing, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sounds, sensitivity to smells, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, diarrhea and lightheadedness.
Postdrome
This is the final stage of migraine headaches. It occurs after the attack. Migraine sufferers commonly report feeling drained and washed out, however, others may feel mildly euphoric.
Migraine headaches are an experienced by all sufferers differently; however there are some things that seem to help everyone. Rest and relaxation in a dark, quiet room seems to ease many of the sensory symptoms Many over-the-counter pain relievers are available and specifically created to help migraine headache sufferers. Migraine headache sufferers may also be prescribed specific prescription medication on a case by case basis or as a preventative means.
Tags: aura, headache, migraine stages, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, postdrome, prodrome
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