If you’ve ever had a pounding headache that wouldn’t go away, you might have experienced a migraine. Migraines are not just regular headaches – they’re a kind of headache that can cause strong head pain, sensitivity to light and sound and even nausea. However, different types of migraines exist, and each kind can feel a little different.
Migraines can affect your ability to go to school, work or do the things you enjoy. If migraines are impacting your daily life, make an appointment with your primary care provider to determine the best treatment for you.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is a kind of headache that can include other symptoms like nausea, vision changes or feeling overly tired. A migraine attack can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Some people get migraines once in a while, while others deal with them often. Women are more susceptible to migraines, but men experience them as well.
Migraine symptoms vary from person to person, and some people may even experience different symptoms each time. Common signs of a migraine include:
- Throbbing or pulsing pain on one or both sides of the head
- Sensitivity to light, sound or smells
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision or seeing flashing lights
- Feeling dizzy or weak
These symptoms can be mild or severe, and they may last up to 72 hours if not treated.
Types of migraines
Many types of migraines exist, and knowing which one you have can help your provider decide how to treat it. Consider some of the most common types.
Migraine without aura
This is the most common type. People with this kind of migraine feel head pain without any warning signs beforehand. The pain is usually on one side of the head and can last from a few hours to a few days. It may get worse with physical activity and often comes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraine with aura
In this type of migraine, people experience warning signs, called aura symptoms, before the head pain starts. These signs usually happen 20 to 60 minutes before the headache and may include:
- Seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines
- Loss of vision or blurry vision
- Numbness or tingling in the hands, arms or face
- Trouble speaking or finding the right words
After the aura passes, the migraine headache usually begins. Some people may have an aura without a headache at all.
Hemiplegic migraine
This is a rare type of migraine that causes weakness or even temporary paralysis on one side of the body. It can look like a stroke, which makes it scary to experience. Other symptoms may include visual problems, trouble speaking and dizziness.
Hemiplegic migraines may run in families. Because the symptoms are serious, it’s important to go to the nearest emergency department or urgent care right away if you think you’re having one.
Chronic migraine
People with chronic migraine have headaches at least 15 days each month, with at least eight of those being migraine days. This type can be hard to manage and may affect daily life.
You may have a mix of migraine headaches and other types of headache pain. Treatment focuses on both relieving symptoms and preventing future attacks.
Migraine with brainstem aura
This rare type of migraine affects the brainstem, which controls things like breathing and balance. Symptoms may include:
- Loss of balance
- Trouble speaking
- Double vision
- Fainting
These symptoms usually happen before the headache starts. Because they can be serious, it’s important to seek medical attention at your nearest emergency department if they occur.
When should you see a doctor?
Migraines can be difficult to manage without help. You should make an appointment with your primary care provider or neurologist if:
- Your migraine attacks happen often or get worse over time
- Your symptoms last longer than 72 hours
- You experience loss of vision, weakness or confusion
- Over-the-counter pain medicines don’t help
- You notice new or different symptoms than usual
Sometimes migraine symptoms can look like signs of more serious health problems, such as a stroke or seizure. If you suddenly develop the worst headache of your life, or if your symptoms are different from what you’ve had before, go to your nearest emergency department.
Migraine treatments
Many ways to treat migraines exist. What works best depends on the type of migraine and how often you get them. Some treatments focus on relieving pain during a migraine attack, while others aim to prevent migraines from happening.
Common treatments include:
- Pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen
- Prescription medicines that block migraine pain
- Triptans, a type of medicine that helps with migraine headaches
- Anti-nausea medicines
- Preventive medications, such as blood pressure drugs, seizure medications or antidepressants
- Lifestyle changes, including better sleep, hydration and managing stress
Keeping a migraine diary can help you and your provider track your symptoms and notice patterns or triggers. Some people find that certain foods, stress or changes in sleep can bring on a migraine. Avoiding those triggers can help reduce how often you get headaches.
How we can help
If you’re experiencing frequent migraines or headaches that disrupt your daily life, it may be time to make an appointment with your primary care provider.
Your primary care provider can help identify the type of migraine you’re having, recommend treatments that fit your needs and guide you on steps to prevent future attacks. However, depending on your symptoms or the types of migraines you experience, they might refer you to a neurologist for specialized treatment.
Learn about the primary care services as well as the neurology services we offer at Bon Secours.
