Migraine pain will come along gradually, so that you will probably notice your head starting to hurt a few minutes before the worst of the pain arrives.
Sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells Nausea and vomiting Blurred vision Lightheadedness and fainting Symptoms that vary over time. As you get older, new migraines may bring different symptoms. The headaches themselves should still follow a regular pattern in terms of length and frequency. If that changes, talk to your doctor, as it may be the sign of another health problem. [4] X Research source
Unusual amounts of sleep, either too much or too little Skipped meals Extreme sensory overload from bright lights, loud noises, or strong odors Stress and anxiety Consuming certain chemicals in food such as nitrates (in hot dogs and lunch meat), MSG (in fast food and seasoning), tyramine (aged cheeses, soy products, hard sausages, and smoked fish), or Aspartame (artificial sweetener sold as NutraSweet or Equal) Menstruation (women may experience migraines due to hormonal changes that occur during their menstrual cycles. )
If you can still perform basic physical tasks, even with some slight discomfort, you probably have a common tension headache, not a migraine.
Over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and acetaminophen (Tylenol), along with rest in a dark room, can provide some relief if taken as the headache begins. If you suffer from migraines regularly, your doctor may have recommended additional medication like cardiovascular drugs or antidepressants to reduce the frequency of your headaches. Too much anti-headache medicine can actually cause additional headaches, which are not migraines. If you are taking over-the-counter or prescription medicine to help relieve headache pain, and have taken these medications for more than 10 days a month for three months, or in high doses, you could be suffering from a medication-overuse headache. If you have been taking medication frequently, and having additional headaches, stop taking it. You might be making things worse for yourself. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Cluster headaches are usually accompanied by other symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, forehead and facial sweating, and eyelids either dropping or swelling.
Constipation Depression Food cravings Hyperactivity Irritability Neck stiffness Uncontrollable yawning
Flashing lights, bright spots, or blind spots in your vision Numbness or tingling in your face or hands Aphasia, which is speech or language problems
Your diary should include information about when you had the headache, how long it lasted, what kind of pain you felt, any other symptoms you noticed, and any treatments you tried. This information can help you and your doctor discover triggers and figure out the most effective treatments. This can also to help you identify the migraine early, which is beneficial because response to treatment is more effective during the prodrome or aura. Make sure to keep the diary after visiting your doctor and starting treatment. Not every treatment will work on you, so you’ll want to make sure you find the best ones for you.
Information about your headaches, including when and how often they happen, where the pain is, and how long they last. Other symptoms, including nausea or blind spots. Additional information, including a family history, any medicines you are taking, and any side effects those medicines may have had. If your headaches are particularly severe, your doctor may recommend other tests to rule out other potential causes, including blood tests, a CT scan, an MRI, or a spinal tap. These tests can’t confirm that you have a migraine, but they will be able to prove other things are not causing your headaches. [16] X Research source
