Migraine - Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

Migraines typically present with self-limited, recurrent severe headache associated with autonomic symptoms. About 15-30% of people with migraines experience migraines with an aura and those who have migraines with aura also frequently have migraines without aura. The severity of the pain, duration of the headache, and frequency of attacks is variable. A migraine lasting longer than 72 hours is termed status migrainosus. There are four possible phases to a migraine, although not all the phases are necessarily experienced:

1. The prodrome, which occurs hours or days before the headache
2. The aura, which immediately precedes the headache
3. The pain phase, also known as headache phase
4. The postdrome, the effects experienced following the end of a migraine attack