Migraines can be one of the most difficult chronic conditions to deal with. Sometimes a migraine attack can be severe enough to throw you off balance for multiple days at a time. Learn how to spot the signs of an oncoming migraine and find ways to help keep migraine attacks from wrecking your plans.
Understanding Common Migraine Symptoms
The migraine itself can last anywhere from 4-72 hours. It’s known to progress through four stages and can last for several days.
Prodrome. This is the first stage that may appear 1-2 days before the migraine attack. Within this stage, “warning symptoms” such as nausea, irritability, depression, brain fog, and sleeping issues may appear.
Aura. In the few minutes to an hour leading up to a migraine attack, you may notice an “aura” that can cause visual and other nervous system disturbances, like tingling sensations or weakness. Some people may also experience temporary blindness and light or sound sensitivity.
Attack. The third stage, also known as the “headache” phase, is where the migraine starts to cause pain. Migraine attacks cause headaches that can be felt on either one or both sides of the head. The pain may also shift from one side of the head to the other over the course of the attack. Sometimes the aura and attack stage occurs at the same time, compounding the symptoms and aggravating the person experiencing the migraine. This stage can last anywhere from 4-72 hours.
Post-drome. The fourth stage occurs after the migraine is over. While it doesn’t occur in all migraine sufferers, most people struggle with postdrome for 24-48 hours. You may experience fatigue, body aches, sensitivity to light, dizziness, and trouble concentrating.
Not All Headaches are Migraines
Because migraines are so common and suffered by millions of people every year, it has unintentionally become synonymous with the more general term “headache.” In many cases, people who think they’re struggling with a migraine may in fact be dealing with a different type of headache altogether.
Understanding the difference between a true migraine and other common types of headaches is crucial to finding proper treatment options that will work to relieve the pain.
3 Signs Your Headaches are Caused by Tension
Tension-type headaches are often mistaken for migraines due to their similar symptoms. To help differentiate your headache, watch out for these common tension headache symptoms:
- Tight, band-like pressure around the skull
- Tension or pain that extends into the neck or shoulders
- Pain that is more noticeable in the back of the head & neck
Chronic Headache and Migraine Treatment
If chronic headaches are putting your life on hold, schedule an appointment with Airrosti.
Unlike treatments that only focus on the symptoms, Airrosti providers aim to treat pain at its source. Our providers will conduct a thorough evaluation to target and address the cause of your pain and develop treatment options to help strengthen your body and reduce pain. Airrosti treatment can effectively resolve most cases in an average of three visits, based on patient-reported outcomes.
We offer in-office and telehealth appointments to best suit your needs. Call us at (800) 404-6050 to schedule your appointment today!
Read our Medical Disclaimer here.
