Migraines & Headaches >> Migraines & Headaches in Numbers >> Top 10 Symptoms of Migraines
Top 10 Symptoms of Migraines
A migraine is a type of vascular headache in which two things happen simultaneously. The blood vessels become enlarged and the nerve coils that surround these blood vessels start to release chemicals. These chemicals are responsible for causing pain and inflammation. A migraine typically jump starts the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which is the part of the nervous system that controls the body’s responses to pain and stress. Almost 30 million Americans suffer from migraines and even though this is a very large number, each individual is unique and exhibits different symptoms. However, there are a few common symptoms that a majority of patients suffer consistently. The top 10 most common symptoms of a migraine are listed below.
#1 Moderate to Severe Pain: A migraine headache can cause intense pain in either one or both sides of the head. Many migraines can last from 4 hours up to 72 hours depending on the severity. Because migraines attack the SNS, which is responsible for reacting to pain, the increased activity of this system causes severe pain.
#2 Throbbing or Pulsating Pain: People who suffer from migraines tend to experience a throbbing or pulsating sensation in their head. This is usually very painful. Again, because the SNS is working overtime and the blood vessels are enlarged (which results in great blood flow), a patient experiences throbbing or pulsating pain in their head.
#3 Nausea, Vomiting, and/or Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain: Increased activity of the SNS within the intestinal tract can induce nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
#4 Feelings of Hot or Cold: The increased activity of the SNS causes a decrease in blood circulation with leads to cold hands or feet. In addition, a person may have pallor of the skin.
#5 Sensitivity to Light: Because of the increased activity of the SNS, the enlarged blood vessels, and the severe pain that are associated with migraines, many people find that they are extremely sensitive to light of any intensity. It is recommended that people who experience this symptom lay in the dark.
#6 Difficulty Completing Daily Activities: Sometimes the simplest activities, like walking, sitting, talking, or doing household chores, can be extremely difficult if not impossible and these activities can increase the pain that you already have.
#7 Fatigue: This is probably the most common symptom that migraine sufferers report. A feeling of fatigue and extreme tiredness hits and all you feel like doing is sleeping.
#8 Warning Signs and/or Auras: Blurred vision, euphoria, cravings for salty or sweet foods, blind spots in your field of vision, or seeing bright flashing lights or dots in wavy or zigzag lines are usually indicative of an impending migraine. Many times these symptoms will precede the actual headache but there are times when they arrive in conjunction with the headache.
#9 Fever: Although this symptom is rare, it can happen.
#10 Weakness: With your body wreaking so much havoc on itself, it is no wonder that you feel weak and drained. You literally don’t have the energy or ambition to do anything!