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Migraine - Symptom

Alternative Names

Headache - migraine

Symptoms:

Vision disturbances, or aura, are considered a "warning sign" that a migraine is coming. The aura occurs in both eyes and may involve any of all of the following:

  • A temporary blind spot
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye pain
  • Seeing stars or zigzag lines
  • Tunnel vision

Not every person with migraines has an aura. Those who do usually develop one about 10-15 minutes before the headache. However, it may occur just a few minutes to 24 hours beforehand.

Migraine headaches can be dull or severe. The pain may be felt behind the eye or in the back of the head and neck. For many patients, the headaches start on the same side each time. The headaches usually:

  • Feel throbbing, pounding, or pulsating
  • Are worse on one side of the head
  • Start as a dull ache and gets worse within minutes to hours
  • Last 6 to 48 hours

Other symptoms that may occur with the headache include:

  • Chills
  • Increased urination
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Numbness, tingling, or weakness
  • Problems concentrating, trouble finding words
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Sweating

Symptoms that may linger even after the migraine has gone away include:

  • Feeling mentally dull, like your thinking is not clear or sharp
  • Increased need for sleep
  • Neck pain

Signs and tests:

Your doctor can diagnose this type of headache by asking questions about your symptoms and family history of migraines, and by monitoring how you respond to treatment. A complete physical exam will be done to make sure that your headaches are not due to muscle tension, sinus problems, or a more serious underlying brain disorder.

Tests are usually not needed if you have typical signs and symptoms of migraines. However, your doctor may order a brain MRI or CT scan to rule out other causes.

If you have a migraine with unusual symptoms such as weakness, memory problems, or loss of alertness, an EEG may be needed to rule out seizures. Rarely, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) might be done.

  • Reviewed last on: 7/27/2008
  • Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Wilson JF. In the clinic. Migraine. Ann Intern Med. 2007: 147(9): ITC11-1-ITC11-16.

Ebell MH. Diagnosis of migraine headache. Am Fam Physician. 2006: 74(12): 2087-8.

Detsky ME, McDonald DR, et al. Does this patient with headache have a migraine or need neuroimaging? JAMA. 2006: 296(10): 1274-83.

Lipton RB, Bigal ME, Steiner TJ, Silberstein SD, Olesen J. Classification of primary headaches. Neurology. 2004;63(3):427-35.

Silberstein SD, Young WB. Headache and Facial Pain. In: Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2007: chap. 53.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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