It’s natural to get a headache now and then, but if you’re constantly experiencing headache discomfort that prevents you from going about your daily activities, you may be suffering from migraines. When people hear the word “migraine,” they frequently picture a terrible headache. But what you don’t know is that migraine is a neurological disorder with several subtypes.
There are many different types of migraines, each with its own set of symptoms. Here’s all you need to know about migraines and how to recognize which one you have.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is not the same as a regular headache, and it’s much more painful and usually only affects one side. Other signs and symptoms could include light and sound sensitivity, vomiting, and nausea.
When you have a migraine, you will most likely be unable to carry out normal activities and will need to lie down in a darkened room. You will often experience the symptoms for many hours, but they could extend up to three days before you feel completely exhausted.
Types of Migraine Headaches
Although the Migraine headache reason is unknown, however, they are assumed to be the result of abnormal brain activity impacting nerve signals, neurotransmitters, and blood vessels in the brain for a short period of time. Migraine types can be classified into several subtypes. Learn about each form of migraine, with and without a headache, in the sections below.
- Migraine without aura
The most typical type of migraine is one without an aura. This form of migraine makes it difficult for you to carry out daily tasks since the symptoms resemble a throbbing pain, typically on one side of the head. Exercise, even mild exercise like walking or taking the stairs, will make the pain worse. Also, you might have light and sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea if you are struggling with Migraine without aura. The duration of the symptoms is typically four to 72 hours.
- Migraine with aura
A type of migraine in which you receive a warning sign (an ‘aura’) that a migraine attack is on the way. The visual disturbances and other neurological symptoms associated with this form of migraine often last no longer than an hour and start 10 to 60 minutes before the headache itself. Even though headaches might happen at any time, the aura may still appear.
- Chronic Migraine
If you get headaches more than 15 days per month, you most likely have chronic migraine. Although many days have the typical migraine symptoms, the intensity of the symptoms and head pain might vary greatly from day to day. The threshold for new headaches lowers with increased headache frequency, and the disease might worsen and become less responsive to treatment as it becomes chronic.
- Menstrual migraine
The decline in oestrogen levels before your menstruation is connected to this particular type of migraine. If you suffer from menstrual migraines, the two days prior to your period or the first three days of your period are likely when you will feel symptoms.
Try maintaining a diary to record when symptoms appear in your cycle if you suspect you may have this illness.
- Hemiplegic migraine
A hemiplegic migraine is one that causes weakness on one side of the body, as well as numbness and pins and needles. Face, arm, and leg weakness could occur. Typically, this type of migraine also includes head pain, which can occur before or after the weakness.
- Ocular or retinal migraine
An ocular migraine, also known as retinal migraine, is a kind of migraine that produces visual disturbances in only one eye rather than both. For around 10 to 20 minutes, you may experience partial or total vision loss in the affected eye. A headache could also be present.
Migraine treatment
If you experience frequent and/or severe migraines, you should always consult your doctor since they can help you discover a cure and manage your symptoms. Your specific course of treatment will depend on a number of variables, such as the type of migraine you experience and the severity of your symptoms.
For more severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers or a medicine called triptans. A mix of medications may occasionally be required.
Conclusion
There are many types of migraines, and each type of migraine symptom and treatment may vary from one another. If you have been suffering from any severe and constant headaches, don’t self-diagnose, make sure to consult with a doctor from the best ENT hospital. Recieving a proper diagnosis which of the above types of migraine is important.
