What Are the Stages of a Migraine Episode?

Stages of a Migraine, Did you know that migraines are a neurological condition that affects about 39 million people in the United States, including children? It’s more than just a headache; it can cause severe throbbing pain on one side of the head, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and increased sensitivity to light, smell, and touch. Some people also experience tingling or numbness in the face or extremities. Migraine can be a chronic condition that significantly impacts one’s quality of life, making it a serious health concern. Knowing the stages of a migraine can treat symptoms early and potentially reduce its effects.

Stage 1: the beginning

The prodrome stage, the first stage, can start one to three days before the headache.

Symptoms can include:

• Cravings to eat
• exhaustion
• depressed mood
• Hyperactivity
• irritability
• neck pain or stiffness;
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• yawn

Read more: Can Migraine Cause Watery Eyes?

Migraine stop

Recognizing and treating a migraine attack early is crucial in preventing it from worsening. It is highly recommended to start treatments as soon as possible, rather than waiting for symptoms to escalate. Taking prescribed drugs like triptans during the prodromal phase can effectively stop the migraine attack.

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The second stage: the aura

It’s important to note that not all migraine attacks are accompanied by an aura. Auras are present in only about one third of migraine attacks. For individuals experiencing migraine with atmosphere, neurological symptoms (aura) typically occur about 10 to 30 minutes before the onset of the headache.

Visual symptoms, such as flashing lights, squiggly lines, and blind spots, are most familiar with auras. Other aura symptoms can include:

• Numbness or tingling in the face or extremities
• Weakness or disturbances in taste, smell, or touch
• Weakness in the front or limbs
• Partial vision loss
• changes in speech

Read More: Understanding and Recognizing Pre-Migraine Symptoms

Rescue remedies for migraines

To ease symptoms, placing a cold compress on your forehead may be helpful. Additionally, taking any prescribed migraine medication can aid in lessening symptoms.

These medications can include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Triptans such as rizatriptan and sumatriptan
• Dihydroergotamine
• Anti-nausea medications
• gepants such as ubrogepant or rimegepant
• Ditan is like Lasmidatan

Third stage: headache

The classic throbbing pain of a migraine headache is the headache phase. This can last from hours to days. The average length is about 4 hours.

Symptoms can vary but may include:

• Increased sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea, vomiting, or both
• Dizziness
• Pulsing or throbbing in the head or neck pain
• Mood changes
• difficulty sleeping

Read More: The Types of Auras You May Experience During a Migraine

Migraine treatment

It’s essential to use migraine treatments as soon as possible after experiencing symptoms for them to be most effective. That’s why many individuals keep their medication with them at all times. If you ca unable to take the medicine immediately, take it as soon as possible. Over-the-counter solutions like aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen may be helpful for some people.

If these medications do not work, a prescription may be necessary. Prescription medications can fall into one of several categories:

• Triptans. These balance chemicals in the brain. Examples include sumatriptan, rizatriptan, and zolmitriptan, among others.
• Ergot derivatives. These work like triptans. Examples include ergotamine tartrate and dihydroergotamine.
• Gibbants. This is a new type of treatment. They target receptors on sensory nerves to treat migraines.
• Ditan. This is also relatively new. Ditans do not affect blood vessels so they may be better for older people with a history of heart disease or stroke.

Experimenting with various medications to identify the most effective one for your needs can be necessary. If you’re experiencing ongoing symptoms despite your current treatment, it’s essential to consult with your doctor.

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Stage 4: Postdrome

After a migraine attack, there is a phase known as the migraine hangover or post-migraine phase. This phase begins when the headache pain starts to fade away. Migraines can cause discomfort or pain throughout the body, which may persist during the post-headache phase. The postdrome phase can last 24 to 48 hours, although it is not universal and does not occur after every headache. Each person may experience different symptoms during this phase, and some may not experience it at all.

Post-dizziness symptoms can include:

• exhaustion
• body aches
• mental “blurry.”
• drying
• depressed mood
• Cheerful mood
• Difficulty concentrating

treatment

You can reduce or prevent post-dizziness symptoms by:

• Staying hydrated throughout a migraine
• Stretching or doing light activities after a headache
• Reduce stress, if possible
• Avoid migraine triggers, if possible
• Using migraine medication early in the attack

When to call the doctor

Call the doctor if:

• She suffers from several types of headaches each month, and each episode lasts hours to days.
• Your headache affects your work, home life, or school performance.
• You have nausea, vomiting, or sensory disturbances with a headache.
• You suffer from a severe headache with a stiff neck.
• You have pain around the ear or eye.
• Your headache just started of the blue.

Can you feel a migraine coming on?

People can sense a migraine attack approaching due to associated sensory symptoms. In some cases, migraines have known triggers that can be avoided to reduce the risk of an attack. Unfortunately, predicting a migraine before symptoms arise can be challenging. Understanding the distinction between a headache and a migraine can be beneficial.

away

Migraine has several stages, but not everyone will experience them, and symptoms may differ. Understanding these stages can aid in seeking treatment and discovering ways to alleviate symptoms.