Migraine Disorders: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

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Welcome to the ultimate guide on migraine disorders. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.

Description for migraine disorders

Severe headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.

Symptoms of migraine disorders

aura, nausea, sensitivity to light, severe headache, vomiting

Precautions for migraine disorders

Avoid known migraine triggers, Take prescribed pain relievers, Practice relaxation techniques, Maintain a regular sleep schedule

Questions Covered:

what is migraine disorders?
What are the usual symptoms of migraine disorders?
causes of migraine disorders?
How do doctors usually treat migraine disorders?
What are the ways to prevent migraine disorders?
How do doctors usually figure out if someone has migraine disorders, diagnosis?

Answers:

Question: what is migraine disorders?

Migraine is a neurological condition that typically causes painful headache attacks that occur with additional symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch.
More than just the cause of 'really bad headaches,' migraine is a neurological condition that can cause multiple symptoms. While intense, debilitating headaches frequently characterize it, additional symptoms may include:
The condition often runs in families and can affect all ages. People assigned female at birth are more likely than people assigned male at birth to be diagnosed with migraine.
The diagnosis of migraine is determined based on clinical history, reported symptoms, and by ruling out other causes. The most common categories of migraine headaches (or attacks) are episodic versus chronic, and then those without aura and those with aura.

Question: What are the usual symptoms of migraine disorders?

Migraine symptoms may begin 1 to 2 days before the headache itself. This is known as the prodrome stage. Symptoms during this stage can include:
food cravings
depression
fatigue or low energy
frequent yawning
hyperactivity
irritability
neck stiffness
In migraine with aura, the aura occurs after the prodrome stage. During an aura, you may have problems with your vision, sensation, movement, and speech. Examples of these problems include:
difficulty speaking clearly
feeling a prickling or tingling sensation in your face, arms, or legs
seeing shapes, light flashes, or bright spots
temporarily losing your vision
The next phase is known as the attack phase. This is the most acute or severe of the phases when the actual migraine pain occurs. In some people, this can overlap or occur during an aura. Attack phase symptoms can last anywhere from hours to days. Symptoms of migraine can vary from person to person.
Some symptoms may include:
increased sensitivity to light and sound
nausea
dizziness or feeling faint
pain on one side of your head, either on the left side, right side, front, or back, or in your temples
pulsing and throbbing head pain
vomiting
After the attack phase, a person will often experience the postdrome phase. During this phase, there are usually changes in mood and feelings. These can range from feeling euphoric and extremely happy to feeling very fatigued and apathetic. A mild, dull headache may persist.
The length and intensity of these phases can occur to different degrees in different people. Sometimes, a phase gets skipped, and a migraine attack may occur without causing a headache.

Question: causes of migraine disorders?

Researchers haven't identified a definitive cause for migraine. But they still believe the condition is due to 'abnormal' brain activity that affects nerve signaling, and chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.
There are also many migraine triggers that are continually reported, including:
bright lights
severe heat, or other extremes in weather
dehydration
changes in barometric pressure
hormone changes in people assigned female at birth, like estrogen and progesterone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause
excess stress
loud sounds
intense physical activity
skipping meals
changes in sleep patterns
use of certain medications, like oral contraceptives or nitroglycerin
unusual smells
certain foods
smoking
alcohol use
traveling
If you experience a migraine attack, your doctor may ask you to keep a headache journal. Writing down what you were doing, what foods you ate, and what medications you took before your migraine attack began can help identify your triggers.

Question: How do doctors usually treat migraine disorders?

Migraine can't be cured, but your doctor can help you manage migraine attacks by giving you the tools to treat symptoms when they occur, which may lead to fewer attacks in general. Treatment can also help make migraine less severe.
Your treatment plan depends on:
your age
how often you have migraines attacks
the type of migraine you have
how severe they are ' based on how long they last, how much pain you have, and how often they keep you from going to school or work
whether they include nausea or vomiting, as well as other symptoms
other health conditions you may have and other medications you may take
Your treatment plan may include a combination of:
lifestyle adjustments, including stress management and avoiding migraine triggers
OTC pain or migraine medications, like Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
prescription migraine medications that you take every day to help prevent migraine headaches and reduce how often you have headaches
prescription migraine medications that you take as soon as an attack starts to keep it from becoming severe and to ease symptoms
prescription medications to help with nausea or vomiting
hormone therapy if migraines seem to occur in relation to your menstrual cycle
counseling
alternative care, which may include meditation, acupressure, or acupuncture
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.
Medication
Medications can be used to either prevent a migraine attack from happening or treat it once it occurs. You may be able to get relief with OTC medication. But if OTC medications aren't effective, your doctor may decide to prescribe other medications.
The severity of your migraine and any other health conditions you have will determine which treatment is right for you.
Acute medications ' taken as soon as you suspect a migraine attack is coming ' include:
NSAIDs: These medications, like ibuprofen or aspirin, are typically used in mild-to-moderate attacks that don't include nausea or vomiting.
Triptans: These medications, like sumatriptan, eletriptan, and rizatriptan, are typically the first line of defense for individuals who have nerve pain as a symptom of their migraine attacks.
Antiemetics: These medications, like metoclopramide, chlorpromazine, and prochlorperazine, are typically used with NSAIDs to help decrease nausea.
Ergot alkaloids: These medications, like Migranal and Ergomar, aren't prescribed that often and are usually reserved for individuals who don't respond to triptans or analgesics.
Preventative medications ' prescribed to people whose migraine attacks can be debilitating or happen more than four times a month ' are taken once a day, or every 3 months via injection. These medications include:
Antihypertensives: These drugs are prescribed for high blood pressure and can also help with migraine attacks. Beta-blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers (candesartan) are some examples of antihypertensive drugs used for migraine prevention.
Anticonvulsants: Certain anti-seizure medications may also be able to prevent migraine attacks.
Antidepressants: Some antidepressants, like amitriptyline and venlafaxine, may also be able to prevent migraine attacks.
Botox: Botox injections are administered to the head and neck muscles every 3 months.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide treatments: These treatments are administered either via injection or through an IV and work to prevent a migraine attack from developing.

Question: What are the ways to prevent migraine disorders?

If you've been diagnosed with migraine, there are a few options that may help you prevent a migraine attack. Some may work better for you than others:
Learn the foods, smells, and situations that trigger your migraine attacks and avoid those things when possible.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to both dizziness and headaches.
Avoid skipping meals when possible.
Focus on quality sleep. A good night's sleep is important for overall health.
Quit smoking.
Make it a priority to reduce stress in your life.
Invest time and energy in developing relaxation skills.
Exercise regularly. Exercise has been linked to lowered stress levels.

Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has migraine disorders, diagnosis?

Doctors diagnose migraine by listening to your symptoms, taking a thorough medical and family history, and performing a physical exam to rule out other potential causes.
Imaging scans, like a CT scan or MRI, can rule out other causes, including:
tumors
abnormal brain structures
stroke

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Conclusion & Takeaways

Learning about migraine disorders is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.