Transformed Migraine Symptoms

Transformed migraine, also commonly known as chronic migraine, is a condition that begins as occasional migraines that worsen in frequency and severity after a period of time. These migraines occur almost every day and have the same symptoms of both tension headaches and regular migraines. These migraines typically are not as severe as the non-chronic form. People with transformed migraines usually start exhibiting symptoms in their teens or 20s.

Sensory Symptoms

• Beyond the excruciating headaches, people with transformed migraines also experience sensory issues like sensitivity to light and loud noises. Most of these headaches are also accompanied with nausea. Though these sensations may seem unbearable at first, they do lessen over time. However, symptoms such as severe head pain and gastrointestinal problems will not resolve.

Vascular Issues

• Women suffer from transformed migraine more frequently than men. Most of these people have had issues with migraines before. Transformed migraines often exhibit vascular symptoms, such as a throbbing tendency. Because of this throbbing, it can be difficult to determine whether your headache is transformed migraine or simply a tension headache.

Medications

• One cause for transformed migraine is the overuse of medication. According to the National Headache Foundation about 80% of the people with chronic migraine overuse painkillers. This can actually lead to a higher frequency of migraines, specifically called rebound headaches.

Risk Factors

• Many other factors will increase your risk of developing transformed migraine. If you have an attack at least once a week, you are more susceptible to chronic migraines. If you are obese, you also increase the risk of chronic migraines. Finally, stress and head trauma also can play a significant part in transformed migraines.

Treatment

• Treating chronic migraine is a difficult and frustrating task. First, limit your painkiller intake to cut down the chances of rebound headaches. Changes in your eating, exercise and sleeping habits will also be required. A useful tool is working with a pain management counselor to develop coping tactics. Your doctor will probably also recommend antidepressant and anticonvulsant medicines to limit your attacks. Though you will never be completely free of migraines, the goal of treating transformed migraine is lessening the occurrences.