| It's important to know that migraines progress | | | | Phase 2 - Aura - The aura phase is left out by |
| into four migraine stages. Those who see auras, | | | | most migraine sufferers, since most of them |
| lights, halos and lightning bolts (migraine with aura) | | | | suffer from typical migraine, migraine without |
| initially are good candidates to experience all four | | | | aura. For those who go through the classic |
| stages. Patients who have typical migraines, | | | | migraine with aura, auras can start anytime from |
| migraines without aura, will go through the same | | | | five minutes to an hour before the migraine |
| stages, but are not consciously aware of them. | | | | begins. Auras are the visible effects the migraine |
| The period between migraines is sometimes | | | | sufferers experience. Objects seem to have |
| referred to as the fifth stage of the migraine. | | | | glowing auras or halos around them. Lightning |
| Let's take a look at the four migraine stages in | | | | glazes arc over the field of vision until sight is |
| detail. | | | | whited out just before the pain starts. |
| Phase 1 - Prodrome - This phase typically begins 1 | | | | Phase 3 - Headache - You have to count from 4 |
| or 2 days before the actual migraine headache. A | | | | to 72 hours when you reach the headache stage. |
| lot of migraine sufferers call this the "premonition" | | | | Most typical is you'll experience headache only on |
| stage. Feelings during this stage goes off on | | | | a single side with a pulsating characteristic. The |
| different tangents. Each patient has their own | | | | headache is commonly associated with a stomach |
| individual prodrome profile. Some are impulsive, | | | | sickness, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise, |
| upbeat, and energized, far more so than usual. | | | | smell, or some combination of the three. |
| Others experience a headache begin with fatigue, | | | | Phase 4 - Postdrome - Coming away from a |
| feel weak, and are easily irritated. Anything can | | | | migraine can be as nasty as starting up to one. |
| show a migraine and each individual has to | | | | Postdrome is generally described by the |
| recognize their own signs when they go through | | | | delicateness of the head, neck, and stomach. |
| this stage if they want to learn how to prevent | | | | Being weakened and fatigued are also typical in |
| their migraine. | | | | this stage. |