Bottom Line:
Not many things can ruin your day like a bad headache. It seemingly comes out of nowhere, sometimes teasing its arrival with symptoms like vision changes and nausea. This is one visitor you don't want to stick around!
Why it Matters:
There are typically four phases of a migraine that many sufferers will experience:
Premonitory Phase of Migraine:
This phase is usually the warning that a migraine is coming on. Many people will experience symptoms like mood swings, neck stiffness, and constipation.
Visual Aura:
Another sure sign that a migraine is coming is an aura. Migraine sufferers often report visual or sensory disturbances in the minutes before the actual headache. Visual auras can result in flashing lights and blurred vision, whereas sensory auras affect speech and the ability to think clearly.
Headache:
The pain of a migraine headache can be moderate or severe, like the headache types discussed earlier. A migraine headache is likely to occur on only one side of the head. Migraine sufferers will notice that their headache gets worse with physical activity, so rest is critical.
Postdrome Migraine Phase:
The final phase in the migraine cycle is the postdrome. This occurs once the headache ends and leaves the afflicted person feeling exhausted. While the causes of migraines are unclear, there are specific triggers that are often attributed to their onset, including alcohol and depression. Interestingly, women are also more likely to experience migraines than men.
Next Steps:
While there are differences between migraine and tension headaches, regardless of which you're suffering from, there are ways to relieve the pain. Migraines sufferers do well with preventive measures such as diet changes or taking steps to reduce stress. Another effective way to prevent headaches and migraines is with Chiropractic care, so you’ve come to the right place!
Science Source(s):
Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine: a three-armed, single-blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Neurology 2017
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