Sarah EatonIf you suffer from migraine symptoms, you know how debilitating they can be. A migraine causes everything from intense pain to nausea. These and other migraine symptoms can ruin your day, to say the least. For many people, an intense migraine also causes more severe symptoms, such as vomiting. (1)
Many who suffer from this affliction might be aware of common migraine symptoms, but might not be aware of the common migraine causes.
The most common migraine symptoms include the following: (2)
1. Intense or Severe Pounding Pain
This occurs on one or both sides of the head. However, most people have migraine pain on only side of the head at a time.
2. Nausea
You may note a loss of appetite or an upset stomach. In severe cases, there may be vomiting.
3. Increased Sensitivity to Sound and Light
The TV blaring, even people’s conversations might suddenly seem like too much to handle. If you can, barricade yourself in a dark room and turn off all sources of noise.
4. Irritability
You may find that your tolerance of people and other external stimuli has greatly diminished.
5. Disturbed or Blurred Vision
You might see flashing lights or unusual shapes and lines. Since this is especially likely while an attack is just beginning, then you can prepare for or even mitigate a migraine before it hits you full force.
6. Dizziness and Shakiness
You know the feeling. It’s like standing up too fast and feeling the floor spin under you. Unfortunately, this could be mild or severe. However, it’s not to be confused with vertigo. (3)
7. Numbness or Weakness in the Facial or Neck Muscles
This could also manifest with pain. Neck discomfort can also occur in the top of the spine or in the disks that cushion the areas between the spinal bones. In fact, some say it feels like the migraine is in the base of the neck, while others report it feels like it emanates from the neck to the head. (4)
8. Increased Thirst
Dehydration is often related to headaches. Fluid disturbances such as increased thirst, water retention, and frequent urination are all migraine symptoms. (5) You may also notice odors that aren’t actually there. (6)
9. Inability to Concentrate
Any intense pain makes it hard to focus. And painful migraines can make it difficult to concentrate on any given task at hand. You may also have a hard time speaking normally or holding a conversation. (7)
Migraine Symptoms Without Headache
Did you know? Sometimes symptoms other than a headache will manifest with a migraine. Typically, this occurs right before the pain hits. It’s known as a silent migraine, or an “aura”. During the aura stage, some people may experience the aforementioned visual disturbances. They also may notice oncoming stomach pain. (8)
According to the American Migraine Foundation, aura symptoms usually build up to the onslaught of pain. Then, they usually end once your headache begins. However, for some people, the aura stage may remain until the headache is gone. (9, 10)
Causes of Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches are caused by abnormal neurological events. These events are related to changes in blood flow, nerve signaling, and muscle functions. (11)
Migraines are typically triggered by a number of different reasons:
1. Increased Inflammation
This affects normal blood flow, as well as the blood vessels that reach the brain. An anti-inflammatory diet might help to combat this occurrence. (12)
2. Changes in Nerve Signals and Neurotransmitter Levels
This is what causes pain. It has to do with low serotonin levels and changes in the trigeminal nerve, which releases substances called neuropeptides. (13)
3. Stress
This includes feeling excessively anxious, busy or rushed, and nervous. Many consider stress to be the most common migraine trigger. (14)
4. Hormonal Changes
This is sometimes brought on by a poor diet or another health condition, but could also be from a woman’s menstruation cycle. (15, 16)
5. Dysfunction in the Brain Stem
This is likely due to injury or past illnesses. While you may not be able to help this case, avoiding other migraine triggers like poor diet and a wonky sleep schedule may help lessen symptoms. (17)
6. A Lack of Sleep
Be sure to get a full night’s rest. Sleeping too much or too little can worsen migraine symptoms. (18)
7. Reactions to Medications
This includes those that affect nerves, hormones and blood pressure. Some oral contraceptives may also cause or worsen migraines. (19)
8. Genetics
Some research shows that 70 percent to 90 percent of people with migraines have family members that also suffer from them. (20)Â This is another one that can’t be helped, but avoidance of triggers might help keep symptoms at bay.