Source: Healthline
Wednesday 3 July 2024 19:32:15
Migraine isn’t just a headache; it’s a neurological condition with neurological symptoms.
Symptoms of migraine can include:
Migraine can be a chronic condition that severely affects quality of life, making it a serious health concern. Knowing the stages of migraine can help you address the symptoms early and potentially help minimize its effects.
Stage 1: Prodrome
The prodrome stage is also called the premonitory phase, and it can begin 1 to 3 days before the headache itself.
SymptomsTrusted Source can include:
The key to stopping a migraine episode is early recognition and treatment. Treatments are more likely to be successful when started early, instead of waiting to see if the symptoms get worse.
If you’ve been prescribed a medication like a triptan, taking it during the prodrome stage can help stop a migraine episode.
For those who have migraine with aura, the headache is accompanied by neurological symptoms (the aura) about 10 to 30 minutes before the headache.
Visual symptoms, like flashing lights, zigzag lines, and blind spots, are most common in auras. Other aura symptoms can include:
Putting a cold compress on your forehead can relieve symptoms. Also, if you’ve been prescribed a medication for migraine, taking it can help decrease symptoms.
These medications can include:
The classic throbbing pain of a migraine headache is the headache stage. This can last hours to days. The average length is about 4 hours.
Symptoms can vary, but they may include:
Most treatments for migraine work best when used as soon as possible after the symptoms appear.
Many people carry their medication with them all the time for this reason. If you can’t take your medication as soon as symptoms appear, take it when you can.
OTC treatments like aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen help some people.
If these don’t work, a prescription medication may be necessary. Prescription medications can fall into one of several classesTrusted Source:
Sometimes you have to try different medications to find the one that works best for you. Speak with a doctor if your current treatment isn’t relieving symptoms or working for you.
The postdrome stage is also known as a migraine hangover. It starts when the peak pain of the headache has lessened.
Migraine can affect the entire body. During the postdrome stage, the resulting pain or discomfort can occur anywhere in the body.
Postdrome can last 24 to 48 hours, but it doesn’t affect everyone, and it doesn’t have to occur after each headache. People with migraine can experience the stage differently, and not everyone’s symptoms will be the same.
Symptoms of postdrome can include:
You can reduce or prevent postdrome symptoms by:
Contact a doctor if: