There are many different types of migraines. It is important to know what kind of migraine you have, so that your doctor can determine what is the best medicine for you. In addition, it's quite common for individuals to experience more than one type of migraine.
The typical migraine attack consists of four distinct phases. The four phases of a migraine are:
Prodrome, or pre-headache phase
The aura phase, where an individual experiences visual disturbances
The headache phase, which is the most debilitating part of a migraine attack
The postdrome phase is that part of a migraine attack after the headache is over. It may take hours or days before the individual totally recovers.
Also, there are certain triggers that may cause the onset of migraines in some people. Some of the more common triggers include:
allergic reactions
bright lights or loud noises
strong odors
stress
exposure to cigarette smoke
alcohol or caffeine
pesticides
foods such as chocolate, red meat, hot dogs, aged cheese, peanut butter, dairy products, bananas and avocados
Migraines With Auras
This type of migraine is the second most common form, occurring in some 25 to 30% of all cases.
With this kind of migraine, an individual typically experiences a change in brain function called an aura.
An aura is typically experienced as some sort of visual disturbance such as a temporary loss of vision, sparkling lines or both.
It is common for other brain related symptoms to occur, such as numbness on one side of the face and hand, general weakness, with an altered state of mind.
Other types of migraines with auras include hemiplegic and basilar migraines.
Hemiplegic Migraines
This type of migraine, although rare, is thought to be one of the more severe types of migraines.
With this type, an individual may experience sensory loss, loss of motor function, subsequently followed by a headache.
These neurological symptoms generally disappear once the headache starts.
With hemiplegic migraines, there is often a family history of occurrence for them.
Furthermore, there are two subcategories for this type of migraine, including familial hemiplegic migraine (FSH) and sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM).
These two types frequently start in childhood and may stop once an individual reaches adulthood.
Basilar Migraines
The next of our types of migraines is basiliar artery migraines.
This specific type involves the basiliar artery in the brainstem and, in addition to pain, can cause speech and vision problems, vertigo and poor coordination.
This type of headache occurs three times as often in females than males.
This type of migraine is usually more common in children than adults.
As is typical with all migraines, there is a vascular component as the headache begins, but its origin is neurological.
With this type, the headache is usually preceded by an aura, but without any form of motor weakness.
The aura typically lasts less than 60 minutes, but can last longer.
During this phase, an individual may become temporarily blind, making this type particularly terrifying.
Ocular Migraines
With ocular migraines, blood vessels in the eyes spasm, other than the vessels inside the skull or brainstem.
Instead of pain, an individual experiences lights in their peripheral vision, that often appear jagged and pastel colored. This light disturbance typically intensifies and moves to the center of the eye.
Ocular migraines typically fade after 15 to 20 minutes. After fading, people may feel a mild headache or just fatigue.
Individuals are often overly sensitive to light and sound with this type.
When pain occurs, it usually occurs on one side of the head, with a throbbing of the pulse, and can be of moderate to severe intensity.
Ophthalmoplegic Migraines
This type of migraine is considered to be a rare form of the condition, with pain surrounding the eyeball that can last from a few days to as long as a few months. It is caused by weakness of the muscles that surround the eye.
With opthalmoplegic migraines, there is pain frequently accompanied by nausea. As the headache worsens, the muscles in the eye responsible for movement, become temporarily paralyzed, with the eyelids assuming a droopy appearance.
Retinal Migraines
With retinal migraines, the headache phase is preceded by repeated visual disturbances.
It will begin with symptoms in one eye, that can include apparitions such as twinkling lights or a loss of vision.
The headache phase typically begins within 60 minutes of the beginning of these visual disturbances.
This type of headache typically lasts from 4 to 72 hours, and is usually on one side.
A person experiences a pulsing or throbbing feeling, and has moderate to severe levels of pain.
It can become worse with routine physical activity such as walking.
An individual may experience nausea, with an increased sensitivity to light and sound.
Facial Migraines
The next of our types of migraines is called a facial migraine.
With this type of migraine, an individual experiences pain in their jaw and neck regions.
The pain may vary, ranging from dull and aching to sharp and piercing.
It is frequently accompanied by a tenderness of the carotid artery. This type occurs more often in the elderly than other age groups.
Headache Free Migraines
Headache free Migraines are characterized by symptoms such as visual problems,nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. With this type, individuals do not experience a headache.
Other Types
Here are some of the remaining types of migraines:
Nocturnal Migraines
Cyclic Migraines
Rebound Migraines
Abdominal Migraines
Transformed Migraines
In conclusion, a migraine headache is more than just the headache phase.
Indeed, it can be quite a complicated process. Plus, not all migrainers experience all phases of an attack, sometimes they will and sometimes they won't.
However, by listening to your bodies, and recognizing when you're about to start the aura phase, there can be a good chance that you can avoid having a full-blown migraine.
One good strategy is to recognize what triggers an attack, and to avoid those triggers whenever possible.
