The Four Stages of Migraine Episodes
Migraine affects over 50 Million of the world’s population, including children. Migraine is not just any ordinary headache but a neurological condition which possesses neurological symptoms.
The symptoms of a migraine are as listed below:
* An individual could suffer some severe pains on the side of their head.
* Vomiting
* Dizziness
* Nausea
* Numbness in an individual’s face.
Migraine can also be a chronic condition, which affects an individual’s life, this has made it a very serious health concern. Identifying the stages of migraine earlier could help an individual quickly treat his or herself and possibly reduce the migraine’s effect.
1) The First Stage: Prodrome
The prodrome stages also known as the premonitory stage can start between a range of 1 to 3 days before the actual headache strikes.
The Prodrome Stage Symptoms:
Here are symptoms an individual should look out for, in order to Identify what stage they are currently in:
In the prodrome stage, an individual should expect symptoms like food cravings, depression, fatigue, pains at the neck area, high sensitivity to sound and light, lack of concentration, irritability, e.t.c.
How To Stop A Migraine
The best and most effective way an individual could stop a migraine episode is through identifying the symptoms earlier and getting the necessary treatment as soon as possible. Migraine treatments proves to be a success, when the victim is treated at an early stage instead of wasting more time, hoping to see if the symptoms will worsen.
If your doctor prescribed some medications for you such as triptan. It is wise to ensure you take your medicines, as it could help in stopping a prodrome stage migraine episode.
The Second Stage: Aura
Before we start talking about the aura stage, it is best to keep in mind that aura is not in every migraine episodes. Aura is stated to only occur in 1/3 of migraine episodes.
Individuals who suffer this stage do experience a headache alongside a neurological symptom (known as the Aura), which lasts for 10 minutes ranging up to 30 minutes before the actual headache.
What Are The Symptoms For Aura Stage?
Individuals who has reached this stage, do experience symptoms such as, disturbances in taste, a change in their speech, disturbances in smell, limbs weakness, face weakness, partially lose their vision, e.t.c.
What Are Some Migraine Rescue Treatment?
Do You Have A Cold Compress?
If yes, then put the cold compress on your fore-head, as they can help in relieving the symptoms. Also taking doctor’s prescribed drugs will help in decreasing they symptoms and it’s effect.
Medications for Migraine
Few of the drugs needed to treat those symptoms Includes:
* Tripans such as, Rizatriptan, sumatriptan, e.t.c.
* Anti – Nausea medicine.
* Lasmiditan
* Rimegepant
* Ubrogepant
The Third Stage: Headache
The recurring achy pains of a migraine headache occurs during the third stage. This headache could last for an average of 4 hours while some could last up to 2 days.
Symptoms Of The Third Stage
Below are symptoms, an individual should expect when he or she has reached the third stage:
* He or she will experience dizziness
* Mood swings
* He or she will experience both vomiting and nausea, although in some cases, the individual experiences either nausea only or vomiting only
* He or she will find it hard to sleep
* He or she will by highly – sensitive to light or sound
* He or she will experience neck pains
Treatments
As stated earlier, it is better and very effective to get rid of migraines as soon as you notice the symptoms. A lot of people do carry their medications with them always so to get rid of migraines the moment they notice the symptoms.
Aspirin, Ibuprofen has proven helpful to some people, but in case you still experience the symptoms after taking them. Then the next you should take is getting prescribed medications from a doctor.
Some Prescription Medications includes:
* Ditans: Have you ever experience stroke or perhaps any form of heart diseases, then Ditans will be the best medication for you.
* Gepants: This has been proven to be able to stop migraine headaches. Gedants are reported to target the sensory nerve’s receptors.
* Ergotamine Tartrate: Similar to triptans and help in balancing brain chemicals.
* Triptans: Purchasing triptan pills such as rizatripan and sumatriptan would help in brain chemical balance.
The Fourth Stage: Postdrome
This stage is also referred to as the migraine hangover. It occurs whenever the peak pain of the headache has diminished.
The postdrome stage migraine is capable of affecting the entire body.
How Long Does A Postdrome Stage Last?
The postdrome stage could last up to a day or 2 days, individuals who suffer with migraine does experience this stage differently. Most times individuals experiencing this fourth stage report of different symptoms, so keep that in mind.
What Are Postdrome Symptoms ?
Symptoms during this stage includes:
* Severe body aches.
* Fogginess.
* Depression.
* Difficulty in concentrating.
What Are The Treatment Required For This Stage ?
Preventing or reducing the effect of the postdrome symptoms could be achieved by doing the following:
* Remain Hydrated.
* Engaging in light exercises.
* Stop stressing yourself out.
* Avoid whatever triggers your migraines.
* Making use of medications.
When Is The Best Time To Go To The Doctor ?
* After taking your medications and yet the migraines keeps hitting you hard.
* Recurring headaches every month.
* Whenever you start experiencing pains around your eyes.
* When you experience headaches that are accompanied with stiffness on your neck.
* If your headaches affects your job.
* If you are vomiting or you have nausea.
Conclusion
Now it is very important to know the difference between a migraine and a headache. Most people often mistake an headache for a migraine. It will also be helpful for you to read this article again whenever you experience any of the symptoms so you can get the right medications for whatever migraine stage you experience.
