Migraine is one of the types of headache that causes throbbing and beating pain in one side of the head. There are other types like cluster headache, tension headache, sinus headache, and thunderclap headache. However, migraine is one of the common ones. It shows different symptoms from usual headaches like sensitivity to light, smell, and sound, nausea, exhaustion, and pain in the muscles.

These symptoms may reflect the condition, and a proper diagnosis can help confirm the case. You can consult with the doctor for a diagnosis if you experience migraine symptoms. However, they may differ from person to person. Symptoms of migraine are divided into 4 stages, namely prodromes, aura, attack, and postdrome.

Prodromes

Prodromes are the signs and symptoms that hit you some hours or days before you may develop a migraine headache. They are the initial symptoms of migraine and may include the following-

• Stiffness in the neck
• Recurrent yawning
• Constipation
• Cravings for foods
• Frequent urination
• Mood changes
• Increased thirst

Aura

Aura is the migraine symptoms that may take place before or during the condition. They may develop some hours before and may remain for around an hour. Migraine medicine can help ease the symptoms. However, its traits may include-

• Trouble in speaking or concentrating on things
• Visual phenomenon
• Involuntary movements
• Weakness in the body
• Vision loss

Attack

Even if you are taking migraine treatments, you may develop migraine symptoms at times. An attack is a sign that may hit you during the condition. These symptoms may include-

• Throbbing pain in the head
• Nausea
• Pain in one side of the head, often in both sides
• Sensitivity to light

Postdrome

You may feel exhausted or worn out for a few hours and even days after you had a migraine. These symptoms may include the following-

• Tiredness
• Muscle pain
• Lack of appetite

What causes migraines? 

There are no specific and known causes of migraine. Specialist doubts environmental and genetic factors responsible for the condition. However, identifying the cause can help find effective migraine treatments. A proper diagnosis can help rule out the reason that is responsible for the headaches. In addition, certain things can trigger a migraine. You can consult with the doctor to know the migraine triggers. Nevertheless, some of them may include-

• Certain medications like oral contraceptives
• Hormonal fluctuations in women
• Stress
• Food additives
• Beverages like caffeine and alcohol
• Abnormal sleeping patterns
• Processed foods
• Weather changes
• Intense exercises and excessive sexual activity

Some migraine triggers like stress, food additives, beverages, processed foods, and excessive exercises can be avoided. However, factors like oral contraceptives, hormonal fluctuations in women, and abnormal sleeping patterns can be dealt with by consulting with your doctor.

What can put you at risk of developing a migraine? 

Certain things can put you at risk of migraine headaches. These factors are as follows-

• Sex; women are more likely to have migraine than men
• Family history
• Hormonal fluctuations; females are more prone to have migraines because of menstruation and menopause
• Age; people who are 30 years of age or above are more expected to develop headaches

Taking your migraine treatments on time is essential to make your treatment successful. Along with taking migraine medicine, adjust your lifestyle and try to prevent the condition. However, if healing treatments and lifestyle adjustments do not bring happy results, consult with the doctor.