5 Things You Need to Know About The Types of Migraine Headaches

1. Diagnose Your Aching Head

Migraines belong to a group called vascular headaches, probably caused by problems with blood vessels in the brain. Several types of migraines exist, and migraine headaches are as individual as the people who get them. Some people have one a year while others have them like clockwork. Sleep, exercise, food and even sneezing can trigger migraines. Migraines can also mimic other conditions, so it's important to get a definite diagnosis before starting any treatment. Both general practitioners and neurologists see people with migraines.

2. Locate the Throbbing Pain

The most common shared symptom is a dull ache that turns into a throbbing and even pulsating head pain. This is what people with common migraines feel, such as migraines without aura, the most frequently occurring type. Head pain is often at one temple, but it can alternate sides or travel to the back of the head. Pain may radiate from pressure against inflamed blood vessels. Nausea and sensitivity to light often accompany the throbbing. Migraine pain often incapacitates people who must retreat to a cool, dark room.

3. Lights, Action, Migraine

About 1/3 of the people with migraines get a preview of coming attractions from an aura before the pain begins. The aura tends to be some kind of visual disturbance, like flashing lights, tunnel vision or a temporary loss of vision. Auras can even be some type of hallucination. Up to 30 minutes later, intense pain happens at the temple or around the other eye. People who experience migraines with aura can also have numbness, tingling and confusion. Some people can curb the intensity of the migraine if they recognize the aura as a hint of things to come, take prescribed medication and lie down.

4. Consider Your Time of the Month

Young women with basilar artery migraines may suffer from a hormonal imbalance associated with their menstrual cycle. Signs that a hormonal migraine is about to hit can include dizziness, double vision and problems with coordination. Headache pain my travel to the back of the head and include vomiting. If migraine headaches start soon after you start hormones for birth control or menopause, talk to your doctor about alternatives. Some women find success in taking preventive medication about a week before their period starts.

5. The Eyes Have It

Several types of migraine headaches focus on the eyes, including ophthalmoplegic or ocular migraines. Pain centers on the eye and may even paralyze muscles around the eye to cause a droopy eyelid. Although rare, this type of migraine needs medical attention because there might be a problem with pressure on the nerves of the eye. Also referred to as retinal migraines, ocular migraines start with a visual disturbance like blind spots or temporary blindness. Afterwards, pain sometimes starts on the same side of the head. Ocular migraines occur more in older people, but any migraine involving the eyes needs an evaluation to rule out other problems.
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Last Updated: February 16, 2009

Karen Gibson, B.A., M.S.W., is a freelance writer with 20 years of writing experience who is passionate about nutrition and outdoor sports. She specializes is writing articles promoting a healthy lifestyle. Her work has been published in Backpacker magazine as well as on numerous national websites.

Article from Livestrong.com