Migraine headache sufferers can typically experience four stages of a migraine headache. These stages are commonly separated into prodromal, aura, headache and resolution/recovery. Since everyone experiences migraine headaches differently the stages aren’t as cut and dry as it may seem.
Prodromal
The prodromal, or pre-headache, stage can be experienced hours to days before a migraine headache occurs. Some sufferers have food cravings, constipation or diarrhea, mood changes, muscle stiffness or fatigue. Some migraine headache sufferers can be energetic while others may feel very tired. Figuring out exactly what comes before a migraine headache can be very difficult. Many doctors suggest keeping a migraine headache diary can help sufferers abort the coming migraine headache.
Aura
Only about 20 percent of migraine headache sufferers experience auras. Auras typically happen about 30 minutes to an hour prior to the onset of a migraine headache. Auras can be experienced in multiple different ways including visual symptoms, tingling or numbness in the face or arms on one side, difficulty speaking and hypersensitivity to feel and touch. This is just a small list. With each migraine sufferer experiencing these symptoms quite differently, many other things can occur as an aura. Usually when a migraine sufferer has an aura they know that it is now time to take medications to abort the migraine headache.
Headache
This stage is the most common migraine headache stage. Migraine headaches are described as extreme pain that is typically pulsating or throbbing on one side of the head. Migraine headache sufferers are often disoriented, sensitive to noise and light, and dizzy. As a result of this they may feel nauseous and even vomit. The usual headache stage can last from four to 72 hours.
Resolution/recovery
At this point in the migraine headache process, usually the sufferer is utterly exhausted and overwhelmed. It can take several hours to a day for full recovery. Many migraine headache sufferers feel zombie-like or hungover immediately following the headache stage. These feelings can be caused by the medications taken to help alleviate the migraine headache. Symptoms of this stage include depressed mood, euphoria, fatigue, poor concentration and poor comprehension.
These stages can be different for everyone, but after keeping a migraine headache diary many sufferers will begin to see some kind of a pattern. It can take time to figure out what exactly happens for each individual, but knowing what is going on is very helpful in helping resolve migraine headaches
Tags: aura, Chronic migraine, headache, migraine, migraine attack, migraine headaches, migraine stages, postdrome, prodrome, triggers, vomitting
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