A migraine is an exceedingly common disorder that causes substantial pain, disability, and societal burden (American Migraine Foundation, 2015). Described as painful headaches, they are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and unusual sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells (WebMD, 2014). However, migraines are not just painful headaches. They are an extremely debilitating collection of neurological symptoms that may include severe recurring intense throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head which may last anywhere between four hours to several days (Migraine Research Foundation, 2015). Symptoms and attacks vary between individuals who suffer from the disorder so it is often misdiagnosed. This is not an in-depth look at migraines
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They may be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, which is a major pain pathway (Mayo Clinic, 2013). There are two major types of migraines: migraines without aura and migraines with aura (Migraine Again, 2010). None aura migraines, formerly known as common migraines, can occur without warning and usually contain the usual headache symptoms. Migraines with auras, formerly called classic migraines, may or may not occur with a headache and can strike at any time (Migraine Again, 2010). Auras can be described simply as having a "funny feeling" and the person may not be able to describe the aura (WebMD, …show more content…
They tend to progress through stages known as the prodromal phase, aura phase, attack phase, and the postdromal phase. These symptoms and experiences may change over time. They can change in frequency and severity, vary between individuals who get these attacks, and may not include all of the stages. (WebMD, 2014) The first phase, the prodromal phase, may begin several hours or even up to a day before the onset of a migraine. Early warnings in this stage may include irritability, thirst, cravings, the need to sleep, or the frequent need to urinate (WebMD, 2014). In the second stage, known as the aura phase, strange sensations may begin to arise before the migraine or even along with it. Changes in vision can occur such as seeing bright spots or an area of vision loss. Tingling or the “pins and needles” sensation in the body may occur in this phase and may also cause numbness. Sufferers may also have language problems such as trouble concentrating or understanding spoken or written words (WebMD, 2014). The third phase, the attack phase, is when the throbbing occurs. Normal activities are found to be difficult during this time and the person would usually seek rest, possibly away from light, sounds, and smells (WebMD, 2014). The last phase, the postdromal phase, occurs after the migraine. In this stage, the symptoms may include tiredness, sluggishness, confusion, and
They may be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, which is a major pain pathway (Mayo Clinic, 2013). There are two major types of migraines: migraines without aura and migraines with aura (Migraine Again, 2010). None aura migraines, formerly known as common migraines, can occur without warning and usually contain the usual headache symptoms. Migraines with auras, formerly called classic migraines, may or may not occur with a headache and can strike at any time (Migraine Again, 2010). Auras can be described simply as having a "funny feeling" and the person may not be able to describe the aura (WebMD, …show more content…
They tend to progress through stages known as the prodromal phase, aura phase, attack phase, and the postdromal phase. These symptoms and experiences may change over time. They can change in frequency and severity, vary between individuals who get these attacks, and may not include all of the stages. (WebMD, 2014) The first phase, the prodromal phase, may begin several hours or even up to a day before the onset of a migraine. Early warnings in this stage may include irritability, thirst, cravings, the need to sleep, or the frequent need to urinate (WebMD, 2014). In the second stage, known as the aura phase, strange sensations may begin to arise before the migraine or even along with it. Changes in vision can occur such as seeing bright spots or an area of vision loss. Tingling or the “pins and needles” sensation in the body may occur in this phase and may also cause numbness. Sufferers may also have language problems such as trouble concentrating or understanding spoken or written words (WebMD, 2014). The third phase, the attack phase, is when the throbbing occurs. Normal activities are found to be difficult during this time and the person would usually seek rest, possibly away from light, sounds, and smells (WebMD, 2014). The last phase, the postdromal phase, occurs after the migraine. In this stage, the symptoms may include tiredness, sluggishness, confusion, and