Tens of millions of people worldwide suffer from migraines. According to statistics, women suffer from migraines three times as much as men. However, this isn’t a competition, since someone with migraine pain would probably agree to losing the "pleasure". Migraines are unbearable headaches, which usually limit and disable the person suffering from them. Although migraines are common, the symptoms that suggest their arrival, as well as the nature of the pain, vary from person to person. Here are 18 signs you’re suffering from a migraine!
Some migraine sufferers have symptoms such as a blocked nose, dull hearing, and drooping eyelids. A large study found that in people who complained of sinus-induced headaches, nearly 90 percent actually suffered from migraines.
After the migraine passes, you may very well feel like your body has been beaten to a pulp. In a recent study, migraine sufferers were interviewed after a migraine attack and most of them indicated late symptoms of concentration problems, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and energy loss.
According to an online survey of about 3700 people with migraines, 73% reported nausea and 29% reported vomiting before or during a migraine attack. A recent study found that people who suffer from nausea during migraine attacks find it difficult to feel relieved and relaxed when they are treated with pain medication, compared to those who are treated in the same way but don’t suffer from symptoms of nausea.
Difficulty getting up in the morning or falling asleep at night are common problems in migraine sufferers. Studies have shown a link between lack of sleep and high frequency and high intensity of migraines. When a migraine erupts, it is difficult to sleep well or sleep at all but then a vicious cycle of insufficient and restless sleep begins since studies have found that lack of sleep is one of the most prominent causes of migraine outbreaks.
When you yawn a lot, it's another sign that a migraine is coming. In total contrast to a yawn that stems from tiredness, excessive yawning as a sign of the arrival of the migraine can occur every few minutes. In a study conducted some years ago, some 36 percent of patients reported that yawning was a clear sign of an oncoming migraine.
Pulsating pain is a typical sign of migraines. Sometimes the sharp pain is felt only on one side of the head. In an online survey of migraine sufferers, it was found that 50% "always" suffer from pain on one side, while 34% said that they "frequently" suffer from this symptom.
Before a migraine attack, some people experience hunger and food cravings. A food that is commonly craved is chocolate.
Many people testify that prior to a migraine, they feel that their neck becomes stiff. Neck pain is a common symptom and is an early stage of migraine headaches. Some people will feel the pain after or during the migraine. An online survey found that 38% of migraine sufferers always suffer from neck pain and 31% "frequently" have neck pain during an attack.
Some migraine sufferers have a sensory aura. They may temporarily become numb or alternatively experience prickly tingling, usually on one side of the body, from the fingertips through the arm and to the face.
Migraines cause dizziness and impair vision causing Double vision or vision loss. Some people who suffer from this type of migraine may experience problems of balance. A recent study found a link between migraine intensity and dizziness.
Migraine pains are sometimes felt in the burrows behind the eyes. Many people will blame the pain on over-exertion and go to the ophthalmologist, but won’t realize that migraines are the cause.
In the midst of a migraine attack, the sufferer tends to seek refuge in a dark, quiet place. Strong lights and loud noises can trigger or increase pain. The same is true for certain odors. Once in a migraine attack, odors become very intense.
When one arm falls asleep or becomes heavy, this too can be a sign of migraine. Some people experience muscle weakness on one side of the body before a migraine attack. It can also be a sign of a stroke, so if you experience this symptom you should check with your doctor to rule out other causes.
Some people feel an aura around them while experiencing a migraine attack. The most common auras are of flickering spots or lights. Auras usually appear between 5 minutes to an hour before the headache begins. Some feel auras without it becoming an active headache.
Some patients will feel very depressed or irritable, others may feel very exalted for no real reason. A recent study in the Netherlands found that there is a possible genetic link between depression and migraines, especially migraines accompanied by nausea. At the American Academy of Neurology conference in 2010, it was found that mild or severe depression may increase the risk of transient migraines becoming chronic.
Routine activities such as walking or climbing stairs can make the pain worse. There are migraines that result from physical exertion such as running or lifting weights and some that occur during sexual activity. People who experience such symptoms during the migraine are required to undergo thorough testing to rule out underlying factors such as a brain aneurysm.
If you constantly feel the need to go, this can also be a sign of a migraine on the way. Many people experience this symptom. It is also known as the initial stage of the migraine and usually occurs within 1 hour to 2 days before the onset of active pain.
Difficulty speaking and pronouncing words can also be a sign of a migraine on the way. Many migraine sufferers can suddenly feel confused. If this is a new or one-time symptom, it is advisable to contact your doctor to rule out a stroke.
How you can help yourself
Studies show that taking vitamin B2 daily may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and help prevent them. Recommended sources of B2 are green vegetables, sprouts, blueberries, plums, apples, meat, and fish. In addition, vitamin B2 can be taken as an essential and effective dietary supplement. In addition, these three juices can help you get rid of migraines. Lastly, there are certain foods you should steer clear from to avoid migraines, click here to learn which ones!