Symptoms and Complications
Migraine headaches are more severe and last longer than regular "tension"
headaches. The pain is more localized, often concentrated over one eye.
Severe headaches that affect only one side of the head are generally due to
migraines. Migraine headaches are often associated with nausea and vomiting
as well as hypersensitivity to light, noise, and smells. The headaches are often
made worse by movement or bending over. As a result, migraine sufferers tend
to lie still in a dark, quiet room and avoid any type of stimulation.
About one migraine sufferer in five experiences an "aura" just
before the headache comes on. Auras are visual effects that can include
flashes of light, lines with vivid colors, or double vision. Occasionally patients
may feel weak or slur their words. These symptoms usually disappear after 15
to 30 minutes, only to be replaced by crushing pain and, in some cases, severe
nausea.
Migraine headaches should not be confused with rebound headaches.
Rebound headaches can strike anyone who uses aspirin or other painkillers
for headache pain more than three times a week. Sometimes they are called medication-induced
headaches. The medicine works for a little while, but as it wears off, the
pain comes back with a vengeance. If you turn to painkillers for relief, the
vicious cycle often continues. The end result is a constant dull headache, affecting
both sides of the head. It tends to worsen each time the painkillers wear off.
The only way out of this trap is to stop taking painkillers. You can expect
some terrible headaches and possibly nausea, but people who have broken the
cycle report great improvement after one or two months.
A recent long-term study suggested that women with migraine have a higher risk
of stroke. Migraine generally affects young people, and stroke is rare in this
population. The relationship between migraine and stroke is still unclear and
further studies are needed.