Below are the four phases of Migraine with Aura, again these are not experienced by all the migraine sufferers and differs from case to case.
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Prodrome
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Aura
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Headache Attack phase
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Postdrome
Prodrome
Prodrome (preheadache) means a headache which starts before some hours or days of the actual migraine attack. The prodrome phase is considered to be the “yellow light” to the migraine attack people because it is the warning sign that a migraine is impending. 30 to 40% People who experience prodrome phase, it is suggested to maintain a migraine diary which gives them an opportunity to notice the symptoms of the attack and to be conscious of their body. Below are some of the symptoms associated with prodrome phase
- Food cravings
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Mood changes like depression, irritability
- Muscle stiffness – especially in the neck
- Yawning
- Increased frequency of urination
- Fatigue
Aura
Most people generally think that aura can be visual, the symptoms and effects of the aura vary widely. Some can be startling and may be unusual and strange like
- Visual flashing of lights, spots, blurry vision, zig zag lines
- Smelling odours
- Tingling or numbness of the face and hands
- Trouble speaking
- Partial paralysis
- Reduced in hearing and sensation
- Sensitivity to touch and feel
About 25% of people experience a migraine with aura and not all the migraine attacks include all the phases. There are some migraine attacks where people experience aura but no headache and the term used for this type is known as Silent Headache.
The Headache Attack
People with migraine attack have an unbearable headache and this affects not only the head but affect the whole body. The headache pain can range from mild to severe. Some features include in headache phase are
- Pain is often on one side later the pain can swing to other side or sometimes two-sided also
- Generally, migraine can occur anytime but it indicates that most common time for the attack is 6 a.m
- Migraine pain can happen in the parts of the eyes, sinuses and jaws
- Neck pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased sensitivity to sound, light and odour
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Depression
- Nasal congestion and runny nose
- Anxiety
- Dizziness and weakness
- Vertigo(Sensation of rotating or twirling)
- Dehydration
Postdrome
The postdrome (Post headache) is a collection of symptoms that occur once a headache is over, after the migraine attack postdrome phase may or may not occur. Generally, patients report a loss of appetite (anorexia), nausea, muscle tension, fatigue, depression, poor concentration. The patients in this phase describe as a feeling of a hangover and is termed as a Migraine Hangover. In some cases where prodrome and aura are experienced without a headache, the postdrome may still occur. In this phase, the migraine hangover may last for some hours and can produce disability up to 1 to 2 days.
Treatment
Previously there was no specific treatment for a migraine with aura. Physicians treat the patients with some medications such as ibuprofen, Triptans, ergots, dopamine agnostics were prescribed. But, in the year 2013 the first device to treat a migraine with aura came to light and was approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The device is called as Cerena Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator(TMS) which is held to the back of the head and the user presses a button to release a pulse of magnetic energy. This stimulates the brain’s occipital cortex, which may reduce or eliminate a migraine related pain.
This device was tested on 201 people with mild to severe migraines. Nearly 38% of people with a migraine were relieved from within two hours of use, compared with 17% of people who didn’t use the device, the FDA said. There are very exceptional side effects described, they were dizziness and sinusitis. This device shouldn’t be used by people with metals in the head or body, people with embedded medical device such as a pacemaker or any brain stimulator as said by FDA.