There are different types of migraines categorized based on the symptoms experienced and severity. It is at most important for a migraine sufferers to know the exact type of a migraine they are experiencing. Diagnosing the specific type of a migraine is crucial for effective treatment. The International Headache Society (IHS) has categorised Migraine without Aura and Migraine with Aura as two major subtypes of a migraine. Below are the some of the migraine types classified by IHS in their publication called International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3).
1. Migraine Without Aura(Common Migraine)
A migraine without Aura was formerly known as a Common Migraine and Hemicrania Simplex. It is a frequent headache attack which last from 4 to 72 hours. Common characteristics of a headache are one-sided throbbing, Moderate or severe intensity, Nausea or may be vomiting, Increased sensitivity to light, Increased sensitivity to sound. Read More….
2. Migraine With Aura(Complex Migraine)
Aura refers to feelings and symptoms you notice shortly before a headache begins.Formerly known as a Classic or Complicated migraine, comprises of visual disturbances and other reversible neurological symptoms which can develop over 5 minutes and typically lasts up to 60 minutes, but if it occurs longer than that it is termed as ‘prolonged aura’. This is classified in to four different types of migraine based on the aura characteristics. Read More…
A Migraine without Headache is a neurological syndrome where a patient experience migraine without headache pain. This type is termed as Silent Headache or Acephalgic Migraine. The symptoms are same as a migraine with aura which means the patient will experience aura but without any headache pain. Read More…
Formerly called as Basilar-type Migraine, includes a migraine with aura symptoms causing a headache which starts at lower back part of the brainstem known as an occipital region. In medical terms, the word basilar means base or the bottom of a body part especially the skull. Read More…
This is a very exceptional and severe form of a migraine which is a sub-type of a Migraine with Aura. There are two types of Hemiplegic Migraine they are Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) and Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine (SHM). Read More…
It is also known as an Ophthalmic migraine and Ocular migraine which causes a migraine headache and a very rare disorder considered by attacks of visual loss or disturbances which typically affects only one eye. Read More…
There are four phases of Migraine with Aura
- Prodrome
- Aura
- Headache phase
- Postdrome
Read more about the phases of migraine with aura in the link …. Different phases
3. Chronic Migraine
Chronic Migraines are estimated to affect 4% to 5% of general population. Patients will experience headaches with or without aura for 15 or more days per month. Chronic headaches comprise of different sub-groups, mainly considered as Chronic Tension-type headaches and Chronic Migraine headaches. Read More…