Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that causes head pain, light sensitivity, nausea and other symptoms that can vary with each episode.
Migraine can have their own timeline from being an occasional or episodic variation that takes place every once in a while. Or a migraine can be more frequent, known as chronic where they occur more often and severe.
During a migraine it is common to experience moderate to severe head pain that can occur on one side of the head and other symptoms like, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound and vomiting.
Migraine is a variety of headache that has a 3 to 1 ratio of affecting women to men. Scientists believe the female sex hormones which rise during puberty plays a role in adult women.
Migraine Timeline and Stages
Migraine can be very personalized in how they are experienced from person to person.
There are four stages of migraine: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. Each episode may not include every stage.
Prodrome
The first stage of migraine usually begins hours to days prior to a headache. This stage can include:
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constipation or diarrhea
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depression
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concentration issues, difficulty with reading or speaking
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food cravings
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increased frequency of urination
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mood changes
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light or sound sensitivity
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muscle aches
Some of these symptoms can be difficult to attribute to the early signs of a migraine. But, if a person can make the connection then early treatment can be obtained, like:
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utilizing a meditative technique, deep breathing and relaxation practices
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identifying and avoiding migraine triggers altogether if possible
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taking a preventative medication. During this stage is the best time to take medication before the pain sets in.
Aura
The aura phase can last an hour and can be a part of the headache phase. It is common for this phase to occur right before or during a headache or pain phase. It is believed that 25% of people experiencing migraine have aura as part of their experience.
The aura phase can include:
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auditory disturbances like hearing ringing sounds
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language and speaking difficulty, can’t find the right word or understand certain words.
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physical changes like numbness, muscle weakness and tingling
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visual disturbances, such as flashing or zig-zag lights
Headache
The headache phase is characterized by a migraine episode developing to the point of pain that is gradual and becomes more severe and eventually dissipates over time. The pain phase can last from 4 – 72 hours. The pain can move from one side of the head to the other and can worsen with physical activity in some cases.
During this phase a person can also experience:
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nausea
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vomiting
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light or sound sensitivity
Sometimes a migraine will not include pain. These kind are known as silent type migraine.
Postdrome
About 80% of people with migraine experience this phase which can last up to 1-2 days. The postdrome phase is known as “the hangover” and can involve:
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feeling achy
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dizzy
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confused
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tired
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weak
Migraine Length and Recovery Time
Most migraine episodes last from 4-72 hours that can vary in the intensity and phases. Most doctors believe if a migraine lasts more than 3 days with medication it is known as an intractable migraine. The medical experts are unsure as to why these complications arise and will typically change the medication to suit the symptoms.
The recovery time can also vary from 1-2 days for some while other recover very quickly. People with migraine symptoms will recommend implementing recovery strategies that involve:
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avoiding bright lights, loud sounds and strong smells
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drinking water and staying hydrated
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practicing meditation and relaxation techniques to reduce stress
Treatment
Anyone who experiences a migraine symptom that is severe or disabling with four episodes a month should seriously look into speaking with a health professional.
Doctors will generally diagnose a migraine as being chronic when an individual experiences 15 days or more per month with a minimum of 8 episodes meeting the criteria for migraine.
There are some good medication that can be prescribed by a neurologist that can help to dissolve and lessen the pain, depending on the severity and type of migraine you experience. Taking a medication at the earliest signs of having a migraine can often show the best promise for recovery.
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback therapy is a highly effective alternative to medication for the treatment of migraine. Neurofeedback has demonstrated for over thirty years to be of benefit for many who suffer from migraine. LENS neurofeedback therapy has been shown to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine in as little as 6-12 sessions.
Diet
What we eat can affect how we feel and perform. The consequences we experience from the foods we eat also play an important role in the prevention of migraine symptoms.
Many of the most common migraine triggers are associated with food like: sugar, eggs and alcohol.
The body makes most of our neurotransmitters in our guts. So, gut health comes from a proper balance of good bacteria vs bad bacteria. Scientists, feel that unbalanced gut bacteria can lead to the nausea symptoms of a migraine.
Anyone who has experienced a migraine knows how destructive they can be to their work, school and socially. Once they become chronic, migraine can take over a persons life causing added problems from depression, insomnia, irritability, brain fog and a loss of time at work or school. If you are experiencing any symptoms like the ones mentioned in this article please contact your doctor to go over your best treatment options.
-A Balanced Brain is a Pain-Free Brain-