THE 8 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MIGRAINES

Migraines refers to a neurological condition that leads to many symptoms although mostly they are characterized by strong and debilitating headaches. The other symptoms experienced by migraine patients include difficulty in speaking, numbness, tingling sensation, nausea, vomiting, as well as sensitivity to sound and light. The condition is usually hereditary, but it can also occur due to many other factors. Below is a quick look at the different types of migraines that are triggered by varied factors which can all be diagnosed and treated at a primary care doctor near you.

Chronic Migraine

This condition can be termed as a combination of tension headache and migraine. It is usually caused due to the overuse of prescription medications or because of the side effects of a specific medicine. The symptoms of chronic migraine usually last for more than a couple of weeks and can go up to 3 months.

Acute Migraine

This condition is the most common form of migraine, wherein the migraine episodes last for around 2 weeks to a month. Generally, people with acute or episodic migraine experience fewer headaches and other discomforts when compared to those with chronic migraine.

Vestibular Migraine

Also known as migraine-associated vertigo, this condition usually has several vestibular symptoms, such as dizziness and balance problems. Vestibular migraine can affect people of all ages, even children, but the symptoms can be controlled with the use of preventive medications.

Optical Migraine

Also known as ocular migraine, eye migraine, monocular migraine, ophthalmic migraine, and retinal migraine, this is a rare form of the neurological condition. Usually, the patient experiences scintillations or flashes of light, scotomata or partial vision loss, and momentary vision problems in one eye during a migraine episode.

Complex Migraine

Complex migraine is a term used to describe a migraine episode, which shows symptoms that are very similar to those experienced by a patient during a stroke. The common symptoms of this condition include weakness, trouble in speaking, and loss of vision for some time.

Menstrual Migraine

Migraines related to menstrual periods affect around 60% of all women during ovulation as well as before, after, and during their menstruation periods. Sometimes, the condition can lead to very intense headaches and severe nausea, which is not seen in any other type of migraine.

Acephalgic Migraine

Also known as migraine without headache, silent migraine, or visual migraine without headache, this condition usually occurs in people who experience migraine problems after the age of 40. Acephalgic migraine can lead to many complicated symptoms, such as vision problems, numbness, difficulty in speaking, inability to move, etc.

Hormonal Migraine

Also known as exogenous estrogen withdrawal headache or asmenstrual migraine, this condition is associated with the female hormones, usually estrogen. Mostly, the patient would experience migraine episodes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, or as a side effect of hormone therapy or using birth control pills.