A migraine is a type of headache with symptoms that can differ from those of non-migraine headaches. These may include unusual symptoms that can be scary, like tingling sensations, flashing lights, weird sounds, and blurred or lost vision. In some cases, you might get nauseated and throw up, or become sensitive to light and hole up in a dark room for days. If you know your symptoms, you may be able to predict when a migraine is on the way.

Migraines can start at any age, but they’re more likely to start when you’re a teenager. You tend to get more of them in your 30s and then fewer as you get older.

Talk with your doctor about what you’re feeling, especially if you have headaches on 15 or more days per month (chronic migraine) or have any symptoms other than a headache. Some symptoms can mirror those of more serious conditions that need care right away.

What Are the Symptoms?

Migraine symptoms happen in certain stages, though you might not have them all.

What Are the Symptoms? continued...

Migraine prodrome

A day or two before you get a migraine, you might notice:

A brief period of depression
Crankiness
Anxiety
Moodiness
Less of an appetite
Constipation
Food cravings
Stiff neck
Yawning a lot
You’re thirstier and pee more

Aura

These symptoms can show up shortly before or during a headache. They usually start slowly and build. They normally last 20 minutes to an hour. You might notice:

Visual symptoms like flashing lights or zigzag or wavy lines. They often start around an hour or less before the headache hits.
Loss of vision
Pins and needles feeling in an arm or leg
Weakness or numbness on one side of your body
Trouble talking
Hearing sounds that aren’t there
Movements you can’t control

Migraine attack

This is the headache itself. Most of the time:

It’s usually a moderate to severe throbbing or pulsing pain.
It affects one side of your head or one eye.
It can last from 4 to 72 hours.
You may be extra-sensitive to light; so much so that you may need to retreat to a darkened room.
You may also be sensitive to smells, sounds, and touch.
You might feel sick to your stomach or throw up.
You could get lightheaded or faint.
Your vision might get blurry.

Migraine postdrome

This is the last phase. It usually lasts about 24 hours after the headache ends. You might feel:

Elated
Drained and washed out
Confused
Moody
Dizzy
Sensitive to light and sound

Headache Diary

Getting a handle on your migraine attacks starts with keeping a headache diary. Keeping track of your symptoms:

Helps you recognize your migraine triggers
Shows you any patterns there may be to your attacks
Tracks how long your headaches last and how severe your symptoms are
Allows your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis
Lets you and your doctor know how well your treatment is working

You can experiment with what information is most helpful to include in your diary. These things may help you form a clear picture of your headache patterns:

The date, including the day of the week
The time your headache starts
Where the pain is
How long it lasts
How severe it is (You can use a number scale, or describe a range, such as mild to severe.)
Symptoms that go along with the headache (For example, vision problems, upset stomach, or light sensitivity)
Any special conditions that may be a trigger (For example, stressful situations, changes in your sleep pattern, your menstrual cycle, or medications you’ve taken)

You can keep a diary in whatever way is easiest for you. You can write your symptoms down in a notebook, make a spreadsheet on your computer, or download a tracking app for your phone. You can also print this migraine headache diary and use it to keep track of headaches or migraines.

Date
Time headache began
Time headache ended
Warning signs (aura)
Location of pain
Type of pain (pressing, throbbing, piercing, etc.)
Intensity of pain* (circle one number to the right)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Other symptoms (nausea, vomiting)
Medication taken/other treatment
Effect of treatment
How headache affected my normal routine
Hours of sleep the night before the headache
What I ate before the headache (caffeine, diet soda, alcohol, chocolate, hot dogs, food with artificial sweeteners, processed foods)
Activities before headache occurred
Important or stressful events that occurred today (Can include weather)
Comments

Get Emergency Medical Help Right Away if You Have:

Abrupt, severe headaches
Confusion or trouble talking or understanding what others say
Headaches that begin for the first time after age 50
Headaches that start when you’re active, straining, coughing, or having sex
Changes in your vision
A body part that is numb, weak, or that you can’t move
Trouble with balance and walking
A fever or stiff neck
Prolonged vomiting with a headache
Headaches that start after an injury
Headaches that are more severe than or different from your regular headache pattern
A new headache and you are pregnant
A seizure or you pass out