7 Migraine Symptoms You Must Know

Wondering if you are having migraine symptoms? Migraine encompasses more than just a headache. Knowing all the symptoms of migraine, including the uncommon ones, plays a vital role in obtaining the correct diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we present a comprehensive list of seven migraine symptoms that can manifest during a migraine attack. We hope this can help you better identify your migraine symptoms.

During a migraine, you may be facing many symptoms such as:

• Throbbing sensations, often intense in pain and located on one side of the head

• Pain level worsens around light, noise, and/or smells (Allodynia)

• Nausea and/or vomiting (Vestibular Migraine)

• Neck pain

• Stuffy nose, watery eyes (Sinus)

• Flashes of light (Aura)

• A disabling and recurring headache

Migraine and Allodynia

In individuals with migraine, heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and smell is common. However, what often goes unnoticed is the occurrence of allodynia—a side effect experienced by 40% to 70% of people. Allodynia causes normally benign stimuli such as gentle skin touch, hair brushing, and temperature changes to be perceived as painful.

Dizziness/Vertigo and Migraine (Vestibular Migraine)

As the name “vestibular” suggests, vestibular migraine involves vestibular (or vertigo-like) symptoms. This may mean you may experience giddiness that can last for minutes, hours, or even days depending on the severity of the vestibular migraine condition. However, it is important to note that you may experience these vestibular-like symptoms without experiencing the usual headache that is commonly associated with migraine.

Migraine and Neck Pain

Neck pain, such as stiffness, tightness, or pain spreading to or from the neck, is a frequently overlooked yet common symptom experienced by individuals with migraines, including during the prodrome phase.

Migraine and Sinus

While a stuffy or runny nose with watery eyes may suggest a sinus headache, it’s important to note that sinus-related problems are frequently encountered in individuals with migraines. Surprisingly, 45% of people experiencing migraines exhibit congestion or watery eyes as symptoms. Conversely, sinus headaches are rare, as studies reveal that 90% of self-diagnosed cases are migraine.