A headache might strike after a sleepless night or a stressful day. On the other hand, headaches could become a significant, ongoing concern for numerous individuals struggling with chronic migraines. Migraine headaches are different from tension headaches, which affect everybody from time to time.
A migraine is a neurological problem where a headache is only one of the many symptoms. If you have never experienced a migraine, you might be unaware of the other migraine symptoms. Here are 7 warning signs that should prompt you to visit a migraine specialist Alexandria. Continue reading to learn more.
1. Intense Headache that Mainly Affects One Side of Your Head
A migraine’s discomfort is generally different from that of a regular headache. A migraine’s primary symptom is a throbbing and pulsing sensation on one side of your head, but you may also feel it on both sides. You might experience this throbbing ache in the neck and face as well.
2. Aura
Aura happens in most migraine sufferers before or during the attack itself. Nearly everybody with a migraine aura experiences visual symptoms like bling patches, flashing lights, and zigzag lines. Hearing problems like ringing in the ears (tinnitus) are also common.
Some individuals may also experience language changes like difficulty locating or comprehending words. Although rare, some people also suffer motor auras accompanied by weakness on one side of the torso or face. These auras may appear shortly after the headache, whereas some persons might experience auras without a headache.
3. Mood Changes
Another common migraine symptom is mood changes. These changes may start as early as the day before. Although some patients might become irritable, depressed, or worried, others might become excited, joyful, and energetic. The relationship between migraines and mood changes is not well-known, but it is presumed to be associated with hormones and heredity.
4. Nausea or Vomiting
Numerous individuals with migraines often have a sensitive stomach before an episode. One might experience cramping, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. These stomach problems are because of the irritation of your nervous system, which controls the gut. Stomach emptying becomes less efficient, leading to slower absorption of the medication and causing nausea and sometimes vomiting.
5. Sleep Problems
Migraine patients often wake up exhausted or experience difficulties falling asleep. It is hard to enjoy a restful night’s sleep if you have migraines. For this reason, most migraine sufferers experience insomnia. Sleeping problems may trigger a vicious cycle, such as daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and more.
6. Neck Pain
Migraine sufferers often complain about neck pain and tightness. For some individuals, the headache’s throbbing sensation may extend down the back of their head to the base of the skull and upper section of the neck. The shoulders, jaw, teeth, or gums could also be sore or sensitive.
7. Food Cravings
Before the start of a headache, numerous migraine patients will crave specific foods, particularly carbs and sweets. Some individuals believe that sweets or chocolate triggers their migraine. However, it is more probable that the early phase of a migraine triggers the cravings for something sugary.
Migraine symptoms often vary from person to person, and can often be confused for other health concerns. Therefore, if you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms highlighted above, you should consult a specialist for a professional diagnosis.
Keeping a diary can also help you recognize your symptoms, triggers, and signs you experience before every migraine. While there is no treatment for migraines, your doctor can help you avoid your specific triggers and provide medications to help relieve the pain and manage other associated symptoms.
