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WHAT IS A MIGRAINE?
Migraines are the primary example of vascular headaches, which are classified as headaches caused by an abnormal reaction of the cerebral arteries (the arteries that provide blood supply to one's head). There are three stages in the classic form of migraine:
- The aura
- The headache
- The post-headache stage
The aura stage of a migraine headache consists of neurological symptoms that last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. They usually include numbness, visual disturbances, dizziness, ringing in the ear and or weakness on one side of the body. The headache phase may be limited to one-half of the head, but can spread to the other side; nausea, sensitivity to light, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive perspiration and or chills often accompany the headache phase. This phase can last from hours to days, and the person affected often looks ill. During the post-headache stage, the skull on the affected side remains tender and the person may feel physically exhausted. TOP
Disclaimer To go forward, please acknowledge the following statement: The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. We encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing migraine with your health practitioner. |
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