Do you know what’s happening to your body when you have a migraine attack?
There are 4 stages of a migraine. This blog will provide you with more information about what they are.
Stage 1: ProdromeThis can be caused by a trigger either inside or outside of your body. You may experience physical and/or mental changes. For example:
- fatigue/tiredness
- craving foods like chocolate
- mood changes
- sore neck
- feeling thirsty\
Stage 2: Aura As a result of abnormal neural firing, you may start to experience neurological symptoms. For example:
- blurred/double vision
- watery eyes
- changes in sensation (tingling, numbness)
- motor changes (weakness, droopy eyelid)
Migraine without aura does not include this stage.
Stage 3: AttackThis stage is the main stage which involves severe head pain. Some sufferers can experience different types of pain, including throbbing, tightening, pressing.
The head pain can be on one side or both sides of the head. Many will also experience the pain over their forehead.
In this stage, additional symptoms can occur, including feeling nauseated and vomiting. Some may also be quite sensitive to light and/or sound.
Stage 4: Postdrome/RecoveryThe postdrome or recovery stage is the final stage of a migraine attack. You may have a ‘handover-type’ feeling. This may include:
- weakness
- fatigue
- reduced concentration
- hunger
This can take up to 2 days for the symptoms to resolve.
If you are a sufferer or know someone who suffers from migraines, contact our headache clinicians for a careful assessment and early diagnosis of your condition.
Imagine a life free from headaches and migraines.
