Understanding Chronic Migraine: Stages and Symptoms You Should Recognize

Severe, throbbing head pain and pulsating sensations are hallmark signs of migraines. Typically starting on one side of the head, symptoms include sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. Chronic migraines can cause persistent pain lasting hours or days, sometimes becoming intolerable. Warning signs called aura may appear before or during a headache, including tingling in limbs or face, blind spots, and visual flashes. Recognizing these signs early is crucial for effective management.

What are common signs of chronic migraine?

Migraines often begin in childhood or adolescence and develop through four stages: prodrome, aura, headache, and post-drome. Not everyone experiences all stages, but understanding them can aid in better management.

Prodrome and its indicators

During prodrome, subtle changes hint at an upcoming migraine, appearing one or two days prior. Typical signs include neck stiffness, food cravings, increased thirst, mood swings from depression to euphoria, yawning, constipation, and frequent urination. Recognizing these early symptoms can help in taking preventative measures.

Symptoms of aura

Auras may occur before or during the pain phase, especially in migraines without aura. Visual disturbances like zigzag lines, flashes, bright spots, and shapes are common, along with sensory, motor, or speech issues. Symptoms develop gradually over minutes and may last up to an hour. Numbness, weakness on one side of the body, speech difficulties, and sensory distortions are typical. Rarely, migraines are linked to hemiplegic episodes with limb weakness.

Headache phase

Typically lasting from 4 to 72 hours, migraines can occur sporadically or multiple times a month. Symptoms include throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch. Pain may be felt on one or both sides of the head, often with pulsating sensation.

Post-migraine symptoms

The final phase, postdrome, leaves many feeling exhausted or euphoric. Symptoms may persist for up to a day and include light and sound sensitivity, dizziness, confusion, weakness, and mood swings. Recognizing these phases helps in effective management.

Unmanaged or undiagnosed migraines can worsen, so tracking episodes and triggers is vital. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen, include fever, vision changes, weakness, or confusion, or if severe headaches occur suddenly or after exertion or movement. Older adults experiencing new or unusual headaches should also consult a healthcare provider.