Migraines are so much more than just a mere headache. In fact, most of these headache attacks include severe neurological symptoms. In most cases with these headaches, throbbing head pain is localized on one side of the head. They are usually characterized by the severity of head pain and are accompanied by disabling symptoms. These symptoms include difficulty speaking, vomiting, numbness, sensitivity to both light and sound, as well as nausea. Research has found that this condition is gene-associated and most commonly runs in families.
Migraines affect a wide range of people, although the duration of the headaches may vary from person to person. On average, these attacks usually last for at least four hours, but they can persist for longer, depending on a variety of factors. In serious cases, these headaches can last for days on end. If this is the case, you may need to visit the emergency room.
1. Neck Pain
Often, neck pain has been associated with migraines, which includes both the nerves and muscles in the neck. However, the actual discomfort happens in the disks or bones of the spin that cushion the spinal bones. This causes a headache to feel like it’s at the center of the neck. Although, some people say their headache feels like it’s causing pain from their neck to their head. There’s no doubt that this type of headache comes with a wide range of symptoms. However, since these symptoms differ from person to person, some may feel pain in the neck where others may not. If you feel stiff neck pain, we suggest you seek the help of a medical professional, since it could be a sign of a life-threatening condition. Additionally, you should also seek medical attention if you experience a headache, fever, and stiff neck all at once.
2. Severe Headache
Another of the most common signs of a migraine is a severe headache. Most people who suffer from this condition experience serious pain in their heads and faces. This is one of the signature signs of this condition. Additionally, the pain is usually only experienced on one side of the head and face. This serious pain inhibits normal activity and prevents headache sufferers from keeping up with their everyday lives. Additionally, this pain becomes worse with any sort of physical activity. Migraines interrupt the daily lives of the people who suffer from them.
3. Light Sensitivity
The average person suffers from light sensitivity when they’re under attack from a serious headache. However, light sensitivity comes in many forms.
Research studies on light sensitivity have shown that light plays a major role in migraine attacks. In fact, some researchers have found that these types of headaches are directly related to the brain’s inability to control light-related pain. Naturally, this is known to lead to light-triggered migraines.
4. Nausea
People suffering from migraines often also experience nausea, which is a queasy discomfort feeling in the stomach region of the body. Studies have shown that nearly three-quarters of people who experience this condition also have feelings of queasiness. In fact, in some cases, sickness can be so severe and overwhelming that it limits physical activity. Nausea usually occurs in two ways with these attacks, either by itself or with vomiting. Roughly one-third of sufferers say their headaches are the cause of vomiting and nauseous feelings. Surprisingly, female headache sufferers feel nauseous more than their male counterparts. Although vomiting is known to help ease migraine pain, there’s no basis for this, because the overall underlying cause of this condition is a mystery. Additionally, vomiting and queasiness are liked to dizziness and vertigo, which can cause inner ear and brain conditions.
5. Distorted Vision
Besides causing serious pain to the body, migraines can also alter your senses, primarily eyesight. Most headache sufferers experience vision problems during, before, and after an attack. However, these vision changes usually only last for a few minutes to a half hour. Those who suffer from vision changes are connected to those who experience an aura before the onset of their pain.
6. Irritability
Mood changes, such as irritability, are a common symptom of headaches. In fact, Dutch researchers have found a probable connection between headaches and depression, especially those who experience an aura. However, sufferers have been known to suddenly feel down or high when they’re suffering from a migraine attack for no reason. According to the American Academy of Neurology, severe or moderate depression can increase one’s risk of episodic migraines, which can quickly become chronic ones.
7. Nasal Congestion
Sinus congestion is yet another frequent symptom of serious headaches. Those who experience these headaches also claimed to be suffering from an assortment of sinus issues. People also noted that they were suffering from stuffy noses, nasal drainage, tearing up, and drooping eyelids. Unfortunately, a lot of people who suffer from congestion may not even realize that they have migraines. Many who experience headaches and nasal congestion believe that they are experiencing a sinus headache. However, one study found that, of the people who complained about having sinus headaches, around 90 percent of them were actually experiencing migraines.
8. Scalp Tenderness
A lot of people who suffer from migraines also experience tenderness or prickliness on their scalp. This is called cutaneous allodynia and it is a heightened sensitivity to stimulation that ordinarily would not be painful. This tenderness tends to develop as headaches get worse. Approximately 60 percent of those who suffer from migraines also have a scalp that is tender to touch. One study found that this symptom is more common in women. Additionally, having a high body mass index, being a smoker, experiencing aura, having another pain condition, and experiencing a psychiatric condition also raised your chances of suffering from scalp tenderness.
9. Seeing Flashes of Light
Seeing flashes of light when you have a headache is also known as aura. This symptom is similar to distorted vision. Common auras include seeing flashes of light, flickering lights, spots, or lines. Many people also see a small jagged line with a few cross hatches that move in a curved direction. Auras can last anywhere from five minutes to an hour. It is typically followed by an hour-long skip phase before the pain of the headache appears. For many who suffer from this type of headache, aura serves as a warning that a migraine is about to begin.
10. Throbbing Headache
One of the most common symptoms that people with migraines experience is a throbbing headache. In fact, approximately 85 percent of those who suffer from these headaches also note throbbing pain. Dissimilar from some of the other symptoms, the same percentage of men and women experience this symptom. This is one of the four main symptoms that is used to diagnose headaches. The other three symptoms include pain on one side of the head, diminished ability to complete regular activities because of severe pain, and pain that worsens with physical activity. Throbbing pain is typically a sign of a more severe headache than those without this symptom.
