Migraine Stages…1234

There are millions of Americans each year that suffer from migraines and because of their crippling nature, migraine top the list of reasons to miss work or volunteer activities. Migraine sufferers often report that it seems as though their migraines have only two stages bad and worse. It may seem that migraines only have to painful stages but in reality there are four stages to migraine headaches. If one can learn the different stages of migraine headaches then steps might be taken to help reduce the severity of the migraine attack.

Prodrome Stage

The first stage that migraine sufferers endure is referred to as prodrome or the preemptive/pre-headache stage. During the prodrome stage soon to be migraine suffers will begin to experience symptoms that serve as warning signs such as:

• Fatigue
• Changes In Behavior
• Food Cravings
• Overly Sensitive To Light And Sound
• Constipation

Migraine sufferers can work hard at reducing stress during the prodrome stage and begin to formulate plan as they progress into stage two.

Aura Stage

Stage two hits not long before the actual headache settles in, this phase is called migraine aura and begins to show up twenty to sixty minutes before the intense migraine headache symptoms begin. Symptoms that come with the migraine aura stage typically affect vision and produce the following symptoms:

• Flashing Lights
• Blank Spots
• Zigzag lines
• Vertigo
• Black spots in eyes
• Temporary Blindness

CSD or Cortical Spreading Depression is also a key symptom and is even suspected to be a key contributor to the start of a migraine to begin with. It starts at the back of the head and travels slowly to the front causing the nerves to be depressed in their response to impulses. It is important that friends, family and employers are notified during this stage that over the next few days you may be somewhat out of sorts as you cope with your migraine headache. Finding a dark quiet place to rest is important during this stage so that the migraine attack does not intensify.

Headache Stage

Stage three is the migraine headache stage. It is here where the migraine takes root and bares down to implement the worst of the headache symptoms on the migraine victim. It is during the migraine headache stage that intense head pain is had as well as the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Pounding In The Head
• Vomiting
• Unilateral pain felt above the eye or in the back of the head

Being able to focus is a tough commodity during a migraine onslaught. Comprehension and functionality is limited during this stage and the best form of treatment is silence finding a dark room and implementing your migraine treatment plan if one is in place.

Postdrome Stage

Finally stage four is called postdrome and comes after the worse of the migraine has been lived through. It is during this stage that the body experiences tiredness, head pain, cognitive difficulties and possibly gastrointestinal issues. Chronic migraine headaches can be treated with several migraine treatment options such as prescription medication, physiotherapy or natural supplements. Migraine treatment is not to be entered into lightly and without careful research.

Some Common Reasons For Migraine Headaches

Migraine sufferers, just like other patient diagnosed with an illness or condition such as neuropathy or fibromyalgia, begin to formulate questions about their condition and want their questions answered in order to better understand how one can maintain normality when in such intense pain. For years, doctors and scientist have been trying to discover what causes some individuals to experience chronic migraines but have turned up empty handed. Through clinical studies and research, doctors and scientist have come to understand that though they are unable to pinpoint the exact causes, biological events may play a role in the development of a migraine. Migraines can be triggered and if data exists of what triggers the onset of migraine, possible migraine prevention may benefit you. Migraine triggers differ from person to person as well as from male to female. A migraine trigger could be influenced by one’s environment or any physiological upset that can lead to the onset of a headache; those who are prone to headaches are more susceptible.

Tags: aura, Chronic migraine, headache, migraine, migraine attack, migraine headaches, migraine stages, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, postdrome, prodrome