Migraines

The usual description of migraine includes visual aura, one-sided throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. There's a lot more to it than that. The following information, which comes from my very favorite migraine book, Migraine: The Complete Guide, is a list of the other symptoms of migraine. It's organized by the phase that the symptoms they occur in and by which part of the body is involved. I've made a few changes to the information from the book; most noticable is that I've collapsed the book's sections on aura and prodrome into one.*

Prodrome (the period before the pain begins)

Visual (aka aura) * a bright shape that spreads across the visual field of one eye and appears to block some or all of the vision; can be seen whether the eye is open or closed * flashes of light and color * wavy lines * geometric patterns * blurred vision * partial loss of sight

Sensory * numbness or tingling on the face or upper extremities * a sense that limbs are a distorted shape or size * smelling odors that aren't actually present (like natural gas or something burning)

Motor * partial paralysis * weakness or heaviness in the limbs on one side of the body

Language * difficulty finding words * problems understanding spoken or written language

Cognitive * mental confusion * disorientation * transient global amnesia (similar to amnesia that follows a concussion)

Digestive * food cravings (particularly for carbohydrates, candy and chocolate) * stomach rumblings * constipation

Fluid disturbances * increased thirst * bloating/fluid retention * frequent urination

Mental/Personality * mood changes * irritability * high energy * lethargy

Headache Phase

Sensory * sensitivity to light and noise * intolerance of being touched * heightened sensitivity to odors

Digestive * nausea * vomiting * intolerance of food odors * loss of appetite * diarrhea * constipation

Skin * paleness * cold, clammy hands and feet * facial swelling * goose bumps * bloodshot eyes * black circles around eyes * sweating

Fluid disturbances * water retention * frequent urination

Respiratory * frequent yawning * sighing * hyperventalating * nasal congestion * runny nose

Mental/Personality * irritability * depression * anxiety * nervousness * difficulty concentrating

Circulatory * changes in blood chemistry * changes in blood pressure * blood vessel dilation * difficulty regulating temperature * changes in heart rhythms

Postdrome (24 hour following headache)

Cognitive * inability to concentrate

Respiratory * frequent yawning

Mood/Personality * fatigue * depression * euphoria * feeling of intense well-being * lethargy

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