YAWNING
Yawning a lot is another tip-off that a migraine is about
to strike.
Unlike regular "I'm tired" yawning, it may be excessive and occur every few minutes.
In one 2006 study in the journal Cephalalgia, about 36% of migraine patients reported yawning was one of the signs of an impending migraine.
Unlike regular "I'm tired" yawning, it may be excessive and occur every few minutes.
In one 2006 study in the journal Cephalalgia, about 36% of migraine patients reported yawning was one of the signs of an impending migraine.
NUMBNESS OR
TINGLING
Some people with migraines have sensory aura.
They may have a temporary lack of sensation or a pins-and-needles feeling, typically on one side of the body, moving from the fingertips through the arm and across the face.
They may have a temporary lack of sensation or a pins-and-needles feeling, typically on one side of the body, moving from the fingertips through the arm and across the face.
NAUSEA OR VOMITING
According to data from the American Migraine Study II, a
mail survey of more than 3,700 people with migraines, 73% experience nausea and
29% have vomiting. (The study was funded by a drug manufacturer.)
A recent analysis of the National Headache Foundation's American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study found people with frequent migraine-related nausea have more severe pain and more trouble getting relief from medication than migraine sufferers with little or no nausea.
A recent analysis of the National Headache Foundation's American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study found people with frequent migraine-related nausea have more severe pain and more trouble getting relief from medication than migraine sufferers with little or no nausea.
LIGHT, NOISE, OR
SMELLS TRIGGER OR WORSEN PAIN
In the throes of a migraine attack, the migraine sufferer
tends to seek refuge in a dark, quiet place. Bright lights and loud noises can
trigger a migraine or intensify the pain. The same is true of certain odors.
"Once you've already got a migraine, smells can seem more intense and make it worse," Dr. Calhoun says. "But a smell can also trigger a migraine in someone who didn't have one before [he or she] walked past the perfume counter."
"Once you've already got a migraine, smells can seem more intense and make it worse," Dr. Calhoun says. "But a smell can also trigger a migraine in someone who didn't have one before [he or she] walked past the perfume counter."
ACTIVITY TRIGGERS
OR WORSENS PAIN
Routine activities such as walking or climbing stairs can
make migraine pain worse.
Some migraines are induced by exercise (running, weight-lifting) or exertion (sexual activity). People with exertion-induced headaches require a thorough workup to rule out underlying causes, such as a brain aneurysm.
Some migraines are induced by exercise (running, weight-lifting) or exertion (sexual activity). People with exertion-induced headaches require a thorough workup to rule out underlying causes, such as a brain aneurysm.
TROUBLE SPEAKING
Can't get the words out? Speech difficulties can be
another sign that a migraine is on its way.
"A lot of people with migraines will feel like they're blithering," Dr. Messina says. "It's a common description by patients." If you are experiencing speech problems for the first time, contact a doctor to make sure the problems are not related to a more serious issue, such as a stroke.
"A lot of people with migraines will feel like they're blithering," Dr. Messina says. "It's a common description by patients." If you are experiencing speech problems for the first time, contact a doctor to make sure the problems are not related to a more serious issue, such as a stroke.
WEAKNESS ON ONE
SIDE OF THE BODY
When an arm goes limp, it can be a sign of a migraine.
Some people experience muscle weakness on one side of the body before a migraine attack. This can also be a sign of a stroke, however, so consult a doctor to rule out any other causes.
Some people experience muscle weakness on one side of the body before a migraine attack. This can also be a sign of a stroke, however, so consult a doctor to rule out any other causes.
VERTIGO OR DOUBLE
VISION
One type of migraine, called a basilar-type migraine, can
cause dizziness, double vision, or loss of vision.
Some people with migraines may experience balance problems too. In a recent study, Dr. Calhoun and colleagues found a link between migraine intensity and dizziness or vertigo. The stronger the migraine, the more likely patients were to have these complaints.
"Our best conclusion is that it's actually part of migraines," she says. "It's a migraine symptom."
Some people with migraines may experience balance problems too. In a recent study, Dr. Calhoun and colleagues found a link between migraine intensity and dizziness or vertigo. The stronger the migraine, the more likely patients were to have these complaints.
"Our best conclusion is that it's actually part of migraines," she says. "It's a migraine symptom."
HEADACHE HANGOVER
After the migraine passes, a person may feel like her
body has been pummeled.
In a recent study, researchers interviewed migraine patients and found that they commonly experienced symptoms such as fatigue, trouble concentrating, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and loss of energy during the post-migraine period.
"It can be very fatiguing," Dr. Messina says.
In a recent study, researchers interviewed migraine patients and found that they commonly experienced symptoms such as fatigue, trouble concentrating, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and loss of energy during the post-migraine period.
"It can be very fatiguing," Dr. Messina says.
Knowing
the kind of headache you have is the first step to being able to treat it
correctly, and more importantly, one step closer to relief.
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