Signs of a Migraine

While in the throes of a bad headache, it is difficult to know if what you have is simply a headache or a migraine. But there are symptoms that are unique to migraines that can help distinguish between the two. Remember that only a doctor can formally diagnose you with migraines.

Early Symptoms

• Migraine sufferers can experience mood changes, such as irritability and confusion, and physical symptoms, such as diarrhea and food cravings, up to 24 hours before the pain starts. This early-warning phase is known as prodrome.

Aura

• Up to an hour in advance, roughly 20 percent of migraine sufferers experience aura, which are sensory disturbances that precede or occur concurrently with pain. Those symptoms include tunnel vision, flashing lights, flashing spots, hearing strange sounds, numbness or tingling.

Pain

• Migraine pain is different from a typical headache in that its intensity can make it difficult to do daily tasks. It is often a throbbing or burning pain that is located on one side of the head or both sides. The pain can intensify with movement or when exposed to light, sound or temperature phases. This pain can last up to 72 hours.

Lingering Effects

• Known as the resolution phase, migraine sufferers often feel fatigued or euphoric in the 24 hours after the migraine.

Other Symptoms

• Another telltale migraine symptoms is cause nausea or vomiting with the pain. Other symptoms include increased urination, thirst, chills and diarrhea.