Signs & Symptoms of a Migraine

What officially brings on a migraine is still open for debate, as some think it is due to stress and others believe it is due to what they have eaten, but the signs and symptoms of migraines aren't debatable. And although signs and symptoms may vary somewhat between individuals--and they typically do, due to various other factors--you can tell when you are having a migraine. In fact, other people will probably be able to tell you too, since they can see signs of you having a migraine.

Signs of a Migraine

• The more obvious signs that another person may be having a migraine are when he starts exhibiting more than one of the following symptoms: vomiting, speech difficulty and confusion. These three signs are easily noticed by others, but additional signs are also evident when talking to a person who may be having a migraine. If the individual complains about light sensitivity, nausea or flashes of light, then she is experiencing signs that could be due to a migraine.

Unusual Sensory Signs of a Migraine

• Additionally, if the individual complains of unusual sight problems, like seeing blind spots or shooting stars, he may be experiencing a migraine with aura. However, those signs may be due to more serious health conditions; therefore, he should see medical personnel right away to rule out that possibility. Once more serious conditions have been officially ruled out, it will not be as concerning when future migraine with aura signs and symptoms present.

Symptoms of an Approaching Migraine

• Sometimes sensation symptoms precede a migraine. When this happens it can occur hours or days ahead of the actual migraine and may include the following: irritability, thirst, depression, cravings for things that are sweet, drowsiness, or even a sense of elation or burst of energy.

Symptoms of a Migraine

• Pain in the head is one symptom of a migraine and can range from moderate to severe. This pain can worsen with any physical exertion and may become bad enough to interfere with normal daily duties or routines, driving a person to bed. In addition, severe migraine pain can prompt nausea as well as vomiting. Some people also experience a throbbing sort of pain.

  In addition, migraines can also produce sound and light sensitivity symptoms. In these cases, the individual usually seeks out a cool, quiet, dark room in which to ride out her migraine.

Unusual Sensory Symptoms of a Migraine

• Since a migraine is believed to originate in the head, not the body, it seems odd that there would be physical symptoms expressed in the arms and legs due to a migraine. However, migraines can produce the sensory symptom of tingling in one or both of the arms and legs of an individual who is experiencing a migraine.

Warning

• Following are some signs and symptoms that should prompt an immediate trip to your local emergency room: an abrupt headache that sounds like a thunderclap in your head, never before experienced type of headache pain (for those 50 and older), a headache that worsens when you cough or exert yourself in any way, and any headache that is a result of an injury or is accompanied by sight problems (including flashing lights) or an inability to speak clearly.