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Let's Talk About Migraine

Migraine is an inherited neurological disorder.  You’d be forgiven for thinking migraine attacks are just really horrible headaches. They can be, but you can have a migraine without much pain at all.

So-called regular headaches can cause a lot of discomfort, but they’re usually caused by a variety of external factors, from tension and hunger to blocked sinuses, neck pain, or (worst-case scenario) tumors.

Migraines can also sometimes be triggered by external stimuli, especially when such stimuli accumulate. (First, you sleep badly, and then you have a stressful day and skip lunch, for instance). Still, people with migraines have a sensitive brain that reacts to these triggers in a particular way that’s still not entirely understood. Please read our Blog Post “What Is A Migraine For an In Dept Explanation.”

Types of Migraine Triggers

All sorts of things can set off a migraine attack in people who are prone to them, but everyone’s triggers are different. To make things even more complicated, the very things that set you up for a migraine one day may not set it off the following week. That is because it could be the accumulation of triggers that push you over your personal threshold for migraine, not just any one thing. Common triggers include:

  • Bright Lights
  • Foods that affect your nervous system
  • Foods that mimic brain chemicals
  • Dehydration
  • Fatigue
  • Going too long between meals
  • Motion Sickness
  • Poor Sleep
  • Stress
  • Changes in weather

Types of Migraine

Migraine attacks are classified into three different types.

Episodic Migraine

People who experience no more than 15 attacks per month, each one lasting between four and 72 hours, have episodic migraine. This the most common type of migraine, and more women get these “infrequent” attacks than men. (There’s than 18% versus 6% stat again, though if you’re edging into every-other-day-of-the-month territory, they hardly feel infrequent, do they?) Research shows that each year about 2.5% of people with episodic migraine will progress to chronic attacks within the first year.

Chronic Migraine

If you have 15 or more attacks per month, then you have chronic migraine (CM). Only about 1.3% of women and 0.5% of men have CM, and they tend to have co-existing illnesses as well, such as depression and anxiety, well as heart disease, including high blood pressure.

Migraine With Aura

About 29.4% of those with migraine headache also experience migraine with aura, or neurological disturbance. These auras last anywhere from five to 60 minutes (though typically they last longer than five minutes) and occur before the headache strikes. They include:

  • Flashing Lights
  • Numbness
  • Seeing Zigzags
  • Tunnel Vision
  • Flashing Colors
  • Tingling
  • Trouble Getting Words Out

Not everyone experiences aura in the same way—you might get tunnel vision while your dad sees flashing lights. And the type of aura you get may change over time, too.

One other thing: People who experience migraine with aura have an increased risk of stroke—2.4 times higher than those who have migraine without aura—particularly if you’re younger than 40. (After 40, other factors, like smoking and high blood pressure, increase your risk more.) While this sounds scary, your doctor will work with you to make sure your risk stays as low as possible.

Silent Migraine

This is a subtype of migraine with aura, but without head pain. In other words, you have speech difficulties and see flashing lights, zigzags in your visual field, or other visual disturbances, but without the throbbing pain that typically follows aura. The likelihood of these attacks depends mostly on if you already experience migraine with aura or not. Research shows that only about 4% of people with migraine without aura experience them, while 38% of people who have migraine with aura sometimes also experience silent migraine.

When To See A Doctor

When migraine starts to interfere with your daily activities, or you’ve progressed from episodic migraine to more than 15 attacks per month, it’s time to get help. In the last couple of years, there have been advancements in treatments for both types—and they can be life-changing.

Trouble is that many people—especially those who experience chronic migraine attacks—don’t get the help they need. It is estimated that less than 50% of those who battle migraine seek medical assistance. One study found that fewer than 5% of those dealing with symptoms have consulted with a doctor, got treated, and then followed through with treatments.

And while primary doctors can diagnose migraine attacks, sometimes it makes more sense to see a neurologist or even go to a dedicated headache doctor or find a center that can manage your care and treat all your migraine symptoms. Get the help you need by making an appointment— help is just a click away.