Migraine is a neurological condition that involves intense headaches and symptoms such as nausea, tingling, numbness, sensitivity to light and sound, and a temporary lack of vision. The pain of a migraine can be debilitating.
Stages, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
It can be difficult to understand the experience of a migraine without having had one. In addition to intense physical pain, people can have sensory symptoms like extreme sensitivity to light, cognitive symptoms like language deficits, and emotional symptoms like irritability and depression . Attacks can be overwhelming and debilitating.
The symptoms of a migraine depend on the stage of the attack. There are four distinct phases, which may manifest differently for different people.
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Prodrome: This stage begins a day or two before a migraine and offers warning signs that an attack is coming. Symptoms include sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, muscle stiffness, sleepiness, food cravings, feeling thirsty, irritability, distractibility, and sadness.
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Aura: An aura is a brief phase before the headache that involves altered vision, including blind spots, blurry vision, vision loss, and seeing lights or patterns. Auras can also include tingling, numbness, and difficulty speaking, writing, or thinking. Twenty to 30 percent of people with migraine experience auras.
Explore More About Migraine
For a comprehensive understanding of migraine, read our complete guide: