The 7 types of migraine (characteristics and causes)

Migraine headaches are particularly annoying.

The World Health Organization (WHO) affirms that headache is one of the most frequent conditions of medical consultations..

But not all headaches are the same. Today we will talk about a very common type of headache: migraine.

Headache: differences between headache and migraine

Migraine or hemicrania is a very common, genetically based disease that usually affects between 12% and 16% of the population. But what is the difference between headache and migraine? what is the difference between headache and migraine?

Headache and Migraine are not the same thing. Headache is a discomfort that causes headache. There are two types: primary headaches, which have many causes; and secondary headaches that result from a disease. For example, a brain tumor or Lyme disease.

Migraine and tension headache belong to the group of primary headaches, although migraine usually occurs together with nausea and vomiting.although migraine usually occurs together with nausea and vomiting. As for the latter, the type of pain is different. While migraine presents a throbbing pain, headache is characterized by an oppressive pain, like pressure in the head. Migraine, moreover, usually affects one half of the head, and tension headache affects both halves. Headache can occur for different reasons: stress, fatigue, anxiety, excessive coffee or smoking, and migraine is genetic.

Migraine symptoms

Migraine causes great suffering to the sufferer and their families. Generally, it appears as recurrent attacks of headache, which can vary in frequency, intensity and duration. As mentioned above, this pain is usually localized on one side of the head, and in addition to occurring along with nausea and vomiting, patients often manifest discomfort towards light and noise. Migraine is both a chronic and episodic condition that manifests itself in attacks..

In summary, the most common causes of migraine are:

• Headache
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lethargy (lack of energy)

Tension headache and migraine account for up to 95% of primary headaches and, without a doubt, the latter disease causes deterioration in the quality of life of those who suffer from it.

Types of migraine

There are different types of migraine and, therefore, the symptoms and severity may vary from one person to another..

Knowing exactly the type of migraine is essential to employ the most effective treatment. In fact, 60-70% of migraine patients are not correctly diagnosed, due among other things to the fact that it is difficult to know objectively the symptoms they produce and the areas of the head that are affected by the sensation of pain. Thus, the correct diagnosis determines to a large extent the success of the cure.

Taking into account the classification of the International Headache Society (ICHD-3), the types of migraine are:

1. Migraine without aura (common migraine).

This is the most common type of migraine and the most frequent. Symptoms include moderate to severe throbbing headache that usually occurs without warning.. The pain is usually felt in only one part of the head, and appears along with nausea, confusion, blurred vision, and excessive sensitivity to light, noise and odors.

In some ways, this type of migraine resembles a headache whose intensity is very high, i.e., a migraine headache, a quantitative difference from an ordinary headache with a few extra symptoms, such as light sensitivity. with a few extra symptoms, such as sensitivity to light.

Attacks last from 4 to 72 hours and usually recur a couple of times a week. Body movement makes the symptoms worse.

Migraine with aura

Also known as classic migraine or complicated migraine, is characterized by visual disturbances and other neurological symptoms, known as auras.known as auras, which appear 10 to 60 minutes before the headache occurs. The person who feels it may partially lose vision.

The aura may occur without headache and may manifest itself at any time. In addition to visual disturbances, other symptoms may appear such as: abnormal sensation, numbness or muscle weakness on one side of the body; a tingling sensation in the hands or face; slurred speech and confusion. Nausea, loss of appetite, and increased sensitivity to light, sound or noise may also precede the headache.

Migraine without headache

As the name suggests this type of migraine does not have a headache, but vision problems and other symptoms associated with the aura do occur.. In addition, it may appear with stomach pain, nausea or vomiting.

Some experts suggest that fever, dizziness or unexplained pain in one part of the body may also be a consequence of this type of migraine.

4. Basilar migraine

Basilar migraine mainly affects children and adolescents and includes symptoms of migraine with aura originating in the brainstem. However, patients do not present with motor weakness. It tends to occur more frequently in adolescent females and may be associated with their menstrual cycles.

Symptoms include partial or complete loss of vision or double vision, dizziness and loss of balance (vertigo), poor muscle coordination, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and fainting. The throbbing pain may come on suddenly and is felt on both sides of the head, specifically the back of the head.

5. Hemiplegic migraine

Hemiplegic migraine is an infrequently occurring subtype of migraine.. However, its symptoms are severe, because it causes temporary paralysis in one part of the body that can last for days. This paralysis usually emerges before the headache.

Symptoms such as vertigo, pins and needles sensation, and problems with vision, speech, or swallowing may start before the headache and usually stop soon after. When it occurs in families, this disorder is called Familial Hemiplegic Migraine.

6. Retinal Migraine

This type of migraine is rare and is characterized by attacks of visual loss or disturbances in one eye.. These attacks, like the more common visual auras, are preceded by migraine headaches. On the other hand, visual loss cannot be explained by damage to the eye or optic nerve.

7. Chronic migraine

When headaches manifest themselves for 15 or more days per month for at least three months, then chronic migraine is diagnosed.

Chronic migraine can be with or without aura, and usually requires preventive medication.. It is also necessary to perform behaviors to control the onset of symptoms, as chronic migraine can become disabling. After taking the drugs, almost 50% of patients still have migraine, but this time episodic.

Prevention of this ailment

Although the cause appears to be genetic, there are several factors that precipitate the symptomatic onset of migraine. Therefore, it is always best to take precautions to minimize the impact of this condition, it is always best to take precautions to minimize the impact of this condition:

• DietSome patients react with migraine to certain foods. It is therefore necessary to detect them and avoid consuming them. In addition, alcohol, Chinese food, chocolate or smoked foods are more likely to provoke migraine. It is also advisable to eat at regular times.
• Sleep hygieneSleep hygiene: maintaining healthy sleep habits can help prevent migraine.
• Hormonal levelFor women, it seems that hormones related to menstrual cycles are likely to trigger these episodes. Contraceptives, which cause changes in estrogen levels, worsen migraine symptoms and frequency.