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Migraines are arguably the most painful of all types of headaches because of their pulsating and throbbing pain often on just one side of the head, said pain of which can last for several hours, even days, on end. To add to the misery, the pain can be accompanied by vomiting, nausea and extreme sensitivity to sensory stimuli (i.e., light and noise) as well as worsened by routine physical activity.
Aside from these usual symptoms, however, migraines can also be identified by several surprising signs. Keep in mind that many of these signs can mimic more serious conditions like a stroke so it is important to be aware of the abovementioned usual symptoms so as to determine whether a trip to the emergency room is necessary.
Migraine sufferers describe being unable to speak in a coherent manner – blithering, so to speak. Speech difficulties may be caused by the brain’s inability to process words considering the painful sensations.
Be sure to contact your doctor in case of speech difficulties so as to rule out serious issues like stroke and to get medical relief while you are at it.
A few individuals will experience limpness or weakness in one side of the body or in just a single limb before a migraine attack. Again, consult with a doctor to rule out a stroke in the making.
Migraine sufferers also report a temporary sensation of pins-and-needles – tingling, in other words – or numbness on just one side of the body. In either case, the sensation or the lack thereof starts from the fingertips and progresses to the arm and then the face.
This symptom is usually associated with basilar-type migraine, a type of migraine that causes dizziness and double vision and, in many instances, even the loss of vision albeit temporarily. But many migraine sufferers can also suffer from double vision especially in stronger attacks.
After the attack has passed, a patient may feel symptoms akin to hangover signs like weakness, dizziness, difficulty in concentration, and loss of energy – or as one patient says it, the aftereffects of migraine feels like being pummeled by a boxer.
Symptoms akin to sinus infections may also be experienced, said signs of which include clear nasal drainage, stuffy nose, and watery eyes coupled with droopy eyelids.
This is probably the most surprising indication of migraines with scientists still at a loss to explain it. Some migraine patients report food cravings just before a migraine attack happens with the most common craving being chocolate.
This is a warning symptom common in the prodome phase of a migraine attack, said phase of which can arrive in varying periods sometimes as little as an hour and sometimes as much as two days before the actual headache starts.
Yawning as a warning sign of a migraine attack is not your usual “I’m exhausted and I want to go to sleep” yawning. Instead, it is often excessive in nature (i.e., yawns occur in quick succession such as every few minutes).
Sudden mood changes can also be signs of migraines. An individual with migraine can go toward the extremes – either very low or very high in emotions and energy for little to no reason at all.