Migraine is a complex
and very individual condition with many different types
of migraine so that initially it can sometimes be difficult
to pinpoint exactly what you are suffering from. However,
once the correct diagnosis has been done, you find the
right
migraine
treatment or combination of treatments which works
for you and you learn to control your condition, you
can go on to live a normal life virtually free from
attacks.
Here are some of the different types of migraine:
o Classic migraines are common and the distinguishing
symptom is an aura a few minutes before the onset
of the migraine.
This aura can consist of flashing lights, seeing zigzag
lines and may even include temporary vision loss.
The classic migraine symptoms can include throbbing
pain in the forehead, temple or jaw, speech difficulty,
sudden weakness in an arm or leg, and a general feeling
of confusion. This migraine type can last up to 2
days.
o Common migraines do not have the aura preceding
the migraine attack. However other symptoms can occur
before the onset and these can include mental vagueness,
mood swings, fatigue, the retention of fluids, diarrhea
or increased urination and nausea and vomiting. Once
the migraine starts, there will be a painful throbbing
headache which can be on just one side of the head.
This type of migraine can last up to 4 days.
o Hemiplegic
Migraines are a much rarer form of migraine and
even come in two variations – familial hemiplegic
migraine (FHM) and sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM).
Both often start in childhood and then stop in the
adult years. They can be difficult to diagnose because
there is no diagnostic test available and the symptoms
can be confused with other conditions (such as a stroke
or epilepsy) – with paralysis on one side of
the body, numbness, fever, loss of consciousness,
nausea and vomiting, light and sound sensitivity,
as well as a throbbing headache and an aura. This
migraine type usually only lasts up to 24 hours.
o Basilar Artery Migraines are characterized by a
disturbance of a major brain artery and the symptoms
may include severe headache, vertigo, double vision,
slurred speech and poor muscle coordination. This
type of migraine occurs mostly in children or teens.
o Ophthalmoplegic migraine is where the main migraine
symptom is a headache felt in the eye. There may be
vomiting but as the headache continues, the eyelid
droops and those nerves responsible for eye movement
become paralyzed. This type of migraine may continue
for days or even weeks.
o Ocular
migraines. There are a group of different types
of migraines including ocular migraines which are
all eye migraines. Pain is only one possible symptom
while other symptoms include nausea, congestion and
visual disturbances. Strange visual disturbances,
usually lasting less than an hour but with no headache
usually indicate an ocular migraine.
o Carotidynia is where extreme pain can be felt in
the jaw or neck with tenderness and swelling over
the carotid artery in the neck. This is more common
in older people and the attacks can occur as often
as several times per week. This type of migraine can
last for a few minutes to up to several hours.
o Headache-free migraine is where the aura can occur
without any headache. In addition to visual problems,
there can be nausea and vomiting, constipation or
diarrhea too.
o Vestibular
migraines are where there is an overlap between
the symptoms of dizziness (vertigo) and the migraine
itself. The room or environment can feel like it is
spinning and you may experience motion sickness. A
migraine headache can start before, during or after
the vertigo experience. Other symptoms can include
pressure, pain or ringing in the ears or muffled hearing.
This vertigo in this type of migraine can last from
a few minutes to an hour although in rare cases, it
can last for several days or even weeks.
o Benign exertional headaches are a type of migraine
brought on by over exertion such as by running, lifting,
sneezing or bending. This type of migraine normally
only lasts for a few minutes.
o Status migraine is fortunately a very rare type
of migraine which manifests with very intense pain
which can be so severe as to require hospitalization.
This rare type of migraine can last for longer than
72 hours.
With all these types of migraines, it is important
to identify the migraine
triggers for your particular type so that you
can avoid such triggers. Following a healthy lifestyle
will also go a long way to improving your quality
of life. The word migraine is derived from the Greek
word hemicrania and this literally means “half
of the head”. As most types of migraines affect
only one side of the head, this is very appropriate.
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