Health: Migraine Triggers, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

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Migraines are not the same as regular headaches, but how can we tell the difference? Explore common migraine triggers and associated symptoms.

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Heading into fall, weather changes are in plenty supply. The cold chill in the air is especially welcome to a girl living in the hot state of Texas, but the accompanying sinus pressure is less desirable. If you are anything like me, sinus pressure equals migraines, and this means days of locking yourself in a dark room with no social interaction.

Frequently misunderstood, chronic migraine sufferers experience a very disabling phenomenon. You see, migraines do not qualify as normal, everyday headaches. Tylenol and Advil rarely touch the severe pain that often reaches heights leading to nausea and even vomiting. 

For those who are prepared, the tell-tale symptoms of an oncoming migraine allow for ample time to take preventative medicine. However, what if you do not know the typical migraine symptoms? Several online resources, including Migraine.com, provide thorough lists of possible symptoms  such as:

In order of frequency with the most often occurring symptoms listed first

• Throbbing or pulsing pain - may feel like your head is pounding to the rhythm of your heartbeat
• Light sensitivity - bright lights become suddenly unbearable
• Sound sensitivity - loud noises become particularly intolerable
• Nausea
• Pain located on one side of the head
• Vision changes - like blurred vision
• Aura - most people do not experience migraines with aura
• Vomiting

In fact, Mayo Clinic offers an extensive description of symptoms attributed to each of the four possible migraine stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome.

Once you have spoken to your doctor about symptoms, and confirmed that you indeed experience actual migraines, Mayo Clinic also gives a pretty decent list of triggers that may help you field an approaching attack. Some of these triggers could include:

• Alcohol
• Certain medications - like oral contraceptives or vasodilators
• Changes in weather or barometric pressure
• Hormonal changes (in women)
• Increased stress
• Intense physical exertion
• Sensory stimuli - such as bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells)
• Sleep changes - not sleeping enough or getting more sleep than usual
• Some foods and food additives

These triggers and symptoms may not apply to everyone; however, if you regularly experience any of the symptoms above, then you might want to see a specialist.

Doctors who specialize in headaches, also know as neurologists, can perform a variety of tests to confirm a diagnosis and rule out other causes. Possible tests include:

• Blood tests - to check for blood vessel issues, infections, or toxins in the body
• CT (Computerized tomography) Scan - creates r-ray images of a body part, such as the brain, to rule out bleeds, damage, infections, or tumors that may cause headaches
• MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) - provides images of the brain and blood vessels to rule out brain bleeds, infections, strokes, tumors, and other neurological conditions 
• Lumbar puncture (aka. Spinal tap) - used to rule out brain bleeds, infections, and/or underlying conditions

Please keep in mind that there may be other causes, besides migraine, for these symptoms. Mayo Clinic advises you to see your doctor immediately, or visit an Emergency Room, if you experience the following:

• An abrupt, severe headache like a thunderclap
• Headache with fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking
• Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
• A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement
• New headache pain if you're older than 50

A positive diagnosis is an important first step to finding a therapy that works for you. To see a collection of currently available treatments, see this related post: Migraine Treatment ​(coming October 19th).

Please remember to participate in our Interactive Online Community by commenting below. 

What triggers and symptoms do you experience most?

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Blessings for a life free of pain, 
Danielle

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See Related Post > Migraine Treatment Coming October 19th!