Did you know that there are several types of migraines? Which one do you relate to the most?

Approximately 1 in 7 people across the globe are migraineurs (people suffering from migraine). India alone has a figure higher than 150 million people. Migraine is characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe head pain that is throbbing or pulsating and often strikes one side of the head, though both sides may ache. It is ranked globally as the seventh most disabling disease among all diseases and the leading cause of disability among all neurological disorders.

Migraine is often misdiagnosed as sinus associated headache or as being due to a refractive eye problem or as stress related. Less than 50 per cent of patients who come to our clinic have been correctly diagnosed as migraine. Despite the fact that it can be effectively controlled, awareness and understanding of triggers, types and potential treatment options is very low in India.”  

Types of Migraines:

Common Migraine

This is the predominant type of migraine, also known as migraine without aura. It is estimated that almost 11% of general population in the world suffer from common migraine . In most cases, relief from headache is achieved post vomiting. Headache in a common migraine can last for anywhere between 4 hours to 72 hours. If the headache continues for over 72 hours, it requires immediate medical attention

Symptoms of common migraine include Throbbing headache on one side of the head, Aversion to light, sound and smell, Fatigue, Nausea and vomiting, Irritability and mood changes, Inability to focus on work and the condition worsens with movement

Classic Migraine

This type is also known as Migraine with Aura . Patients suffering from this condition experience dazzling flash of light, hazy spots or zigzag lines in their vision Numbness or tingling sensation, Difficulty in speaking and confusion, Smelling a strange odor or ringing in ears, Nausea and loss of appetite few minutes prior to the commencement of the migraine attack. In extreme cases a person can experience complete or partial loss of vision. Around 15-20% migraineurs have aura symptoms. Sometimes, classic migraine aura can also occur without the throbbing headache which is known as acephalgic migraine

Menstrual Migraine

Women are two times more affected by Migrainethan men. Most women have reported a strong linkage between their menstrual date and commencement of migraine attack. In this case the main trigger for migraine is the fluctuating hormones during periods. The fall in the levels of estrogen is believed to be a trigger for the migraine headache. Around 60% of women complain of this type of migraine

Chronic Migraine

This is a more severe form of Migraine. A headache that occurs for more than 15 days in a month for 3 months is defined as chronic migraine. The headache continues throughout the day with occasional migraine symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Due to the nature of complexity in this condition this migraine is difficult to treat. A good way to control chronic Migraine is by avoiding triggers and behavioral modification, along with stress management and a good diet

Migraine Without headache

This Type of Migraine is also known as Acephalgic Migraine or typical aura without headache, this type demonstrates all symptoms of a classic migraine, but without the headache. In this condition the patient experiences visual disturbances such as flashing lights and hazy spots as seen in a classic migraine. In some cases, fever, dizziness, chills and pain in other parts of body are also observed

Abdominal Migraine

This type of Migraine is commonly seen in children who have a history of migraine in their family. Here, the person with a migrane experiences light to severe abdominal pain along with nausea and vomiting during the attack. Unfortunately, these children may suffer from Classic migraine in their adult life

“Migraine is a treatable disorder, where the headache frequency and severity can be effectively controlled. To achieve that goal, you need to avoid self-medication with harmful over-the -counter pain-killers and be rightly diagnosed and treated with specific anti-migraine prophylactics by your physician” He further added.

The author is specialist in Headache Management, The Headache and Migraine Clinic, Jaslok and Lilavati Hospitals in Mumbai.