ABOUT
MIGRAINE

Learn about the impact of migraine

Understanding migraine can help you and your healthcare provider determine the appropriate treatment for you. 

Explore our Migraine Center and learn more about the causes and symptoms that can accompany migraine attacks.

WHAT IS MIGRAINE?

For many, migraine is more than just a headache. Migraine can be a disabling chronic condition, with recurrent attacks. While the type of migraine can vary, common symptoms of migraine include nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Migraine can be a progressive disease that may worsen over time for some, especially if not diagnosed properly. If migraine progresses, it can lead to more headache days per month; as well as longer, more severe attacks and greater disability resulting in a lower quality of life.

TYPES OF MIGRAINE

Migraine is a neurological disease with different types of classifications

MIGRAINE WITHOUT AURA

Migraine without aura is common and may be associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound

VS

MIGRAINE WITH AURA

Aura is a series of sensory changes, such as flashing lights or tingling and numbness, that may be a sign of a migraine attack

EPISODIC MIGRAINE

Episodic migraine is characterized by 14 or fewer headache days a month, at least 5 of which are migraine days

VS

CHRONIC MIGRAINE

Chronic migraine is characterized by 15 or more headache days a month, at least 8 of which are migraine days

Some people with migraine can experience both migraine with or without aura, or can vary in the number of headache or migraine days they experience from month to month. Talk to your provider to better understand your migraine.

WHAT CAUSES MIGRAINE

What causes migraine isn't fully understood, but genetics and environmental factors appear to play a role. CGRP is a protein naturally produced in your body and, when elevated, is believed to play a major role in migraine attacks, causing pain and inflammation.

What triggers a migraine attack is unique to each person. Not everyone with migraine can identify a trigger, while others may have multiple triggers.

COMMON MIGRAINE TRIGGERS INCLUDE:

Nutrition

Drinks, such as alcohol and too much caffeine


Foods, such as salty and processed foods


Food additives

Sensory

Changes in the weather


Bright lights and sun glare


Strong smells

Lifestyle

Stress level


Menstruation & hormonal changes


Changes in or irregular sleep patterns

Medications

Frequent use of certain types of medications


Ingredients in certain medications


Hormonal medications

PHASES OF A MIGRAINE ATTACK

PRODROME

Few hours to days

Variety of physical and mental changes (such as tiredness, mood swings, food cravings)

AURA

5 to 60 minutes

A sense of random, slow-moving waves that affects a person’s ability to focus and can include visual disturbances like seeing bright or flashing lights or zigzag lines, or temporary vision loss

Up to 33% of people can experience aura

HEADACHE

4 to 72 hours

Head pain that is typically throbbing

Additionally, people are sensitive to light and sound and may experience nausea

POSTDROME

24 to 48 hours

Often described as a “migraine hangover”

Symptoms mirror the prodrome phase and could last from hours to a couple of days

TREATING MIGRAINE ATTACKS

There are two main approaches to treating migraine:

Acute medications

These are used to stop migraine attacks when they occur

Preventive medications

These are taken proactively to prevent or reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks

HOW MIGRAINE CAN AFFECT YOU

Clinical research has shown that migraine attacks may affect the brain and body in many ways.

THE EFFECTS OF MIGRAINE CAN IMPACT:

ABILITY TO FOCUS

VISION

ABILITY TO MOVE

BALANCE

PERCEPTION OF PAIN

QUALITY OF LIFE

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