Schumacher Chiropractic Clinics

Everyone gets a headache from time to time, but how is a migraine different? How do you know if what you are experiencing is a migraine? What are the characteristics of a migraine? This is old hat for many of us, but every day someone experiences a migraine for the first time and not only doesn't know what to expect, but also may not realize she is experiencing something other than a run of the mill headache.

The biggest difference between a regular headache and a migraine attack is that a migraine attack involves symptoms other than just head pain. It's common for people who don't understand the difference to refer to a regular headache as a migraine, but they are actually very different.

Common Symptoms Associated with a Migraine Attack:

• one sided head pain
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• sensitivity to light
• sensitivity to sound
• sensitivity to smells
• pain that worsens with activity
• hot flashes or chills
• dizziness
• vertigo
• confusion
• anxiety
• depression

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Stages of a Migraine Attack:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                (1) Prodome - Only 30-40% of migraine sufferers experience this phase. For those who do this early warning can give them a leg up scheduling a chiropractic appointment before the migraine attack becomes very severe. This phase is characterized by mood changes, cravings, neck stiffness, fatigue and yawning.
  
  (2) Aura - About 20-25% of migraine suffers experience aura. Again, having this early warning lets the patient know an attack is coming and to start treatment right away.
  
  Common auras include:

• visual distubances such as flashing lights, spots or blurry vision

• smelling things that aren't there 

• confusion 

• difficulty finding words 

• dizziness 

• hearing things that aren't there 

• extreme sensitivity to touch