Migraine Types
Do you have migraine attacks?
Most people don’t realize they have migraine attacks, don’t get diagnosed, and self-medicating strategies may work short-term but cause longer term issues. You can experience more than one type of migraine. Do any of these sound like you?
Migraine with Aura
Do you see black dots, zig zags, feel tingling on one side of your body, or have difficulty speaking for a short time?25% of Migraine Sufferers
The aura phase of migraine attacks lasts 10 to 30 minutes. It’s often followed by severe head pain and other common migraine symptoms like nausea. The aura phase does allow people to take their rescue medication before the pain sets in.
Migraine without Aura
Do you have throbbing on one side of the head. Does it worsen with physical activity?The Common Migraine
70-90% of people with migraine get no warning before the onset. Symptoms include one-sided head pain, nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and difficulty forming coherent thoughts and sentences.
Chronic Migraine
Do you experience migraine symptoms more than 15 days a month?Chronic Migraine
Chronic migraine is defined as migraine symptoms more than 15 days per month for at least a 3 month period. People with chronic migraine are more likely to have been diagnosed and more likely to receive preventive treatment. In some cases, a diagnosis is required in order for health insurance to cover the cost of preventive treatments, such as Botox or one of the new CGRP medications. It is possible to go from chronic to episodic migraines.
Hemiplegic Migraine
Do you suddenly have one-sided weakness & vision issues?Genetic disorder, fairly rare
Hemiplegic migraine attacks are scary: people can lose their vision, look like they’re having a stroke, have trouble speaking or raising one arm. These are more rare, and can be misdiagnosed as stroke. Learn more here.
Menstrual Migraine
Do you get a terrible headache every month right before your period?Menstrual Migraine
These attacks are tied to changes in hormones in the female reproductive system. Adjustments in birth control methods can be helpful. Dr. Susan Hutchinson wrote the definitive book on menstrual migraine: The Woman’s Guide to Managing Migraine.
Migraine with Vertigo
Are you dizzy? Is the room spinning?Migraine with Vertigo
Vertigo is a common symptom of migraine attacks, either as a feeling that the room is spinning or the person is rotating in space. If you have this symptom regularly, try and see a headache specialist, as some doctors don’t understand the vertigo-migraine connection.