Best Migraine Treatment Depends on the Type of Migraine

The World Health Organization ranks migraine headache as number 19 on the list of disabling diseases worldwide. Migraine affects about 28 million Americans, 75% of them women. Not every sufferer experiences a migraine in the same way. Migraine can be divided into two major sub-types – migraine with aura, and migraine without aura.

About one third of migraine sufferers have a premonitory sensory experience known as an aura before the headache strikes. Migraine with aura, or classic migraine, involves visual disturbances like flashes of light or blurred or tunnel vision, unusual tastes or odors, or body symptoms like tingling, numbness, weakness or dizziness. This aura indicates that a migraine is on its way, usually within ten minutes to half an hour.

Most migraine sufferers fall into the category of migraine without aura, or common migraine, experiencing headaches characterized by a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Common migraine is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and hypersensitivity to light and sound. Sufferers may feel tired and/or moody the day before the attack.

There are other variants of migraine besides the two major sub-types of classic and common migraine. It's not unusual for people to have more than one type of migraine. Most severe migraines are best treated with the prescription migraine medication sumatriptan succinate (sold as Imitrex and as generic sumatriptan), but not all. Knowing what type of migraine you have helps to make sure you are getting the best migraine treatment. Types of migraine include:

Abdominal migraine is characterized by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, flushing and pallor. It's most often seen in children, and can be treated with standard migraine medication.

Acephalgic or "silent" migraine is basically a migraine aura without the headache.

Basilar migraine is marked by aura symptoms originating in the brainstem, and can cause dizziness, loss of balance and fainting; slurred speech; double vision and loss of vision, and confusion and disorientation. They usually occur in young women, and can sometimes last for days. They are not usually treated with the standard migraine prescription medication, sumatriptan succinate.

Facial migraine, or carotidynia, produces deep, aching or piercing pain in the jaw or neck, usually accompanied by swelling and tenderness around the carotid artery. They can last minutes to hours, and are more common in older people.

Hemiplegic migraines are distinguished by weakness or even paralysis on one side of the body, and can mimic a stroke, epilepsy or other neurological condition. Hemiplegic migraines are rare, and not usually treated with sumatriptan succinate.

Menstrual migraines are experienced just before or during menstruation and are likely related to hormone changes. They often disappear during pregnancy. Other women develop migraines for the first time during pregnancy or following menopause.

Nocturnal migraines are attacks that occur in the early hours of the morning, usually around 4:00 am with the pain often awakening the sufferer. They are believed to be linked to changes in adrenaline and similar substances.

Ocular migraine usually refers to a migraine in which the person sees a visual aura before the attack, but is often used to refer to opthalmoplegic, retinal and silent migraines.

Opthalmoplegic migraine is one where the pain is centered around the eye and is accompanied by vomiting and vision problems caused by nerve paralysis.

Retinal migraine involves visual disturbances similar to those of an aura, including temporary blindness, but only involving one eye. Retinal migraines are often confused with opthalmoplegic migraines, but are much rarer and potentially serious.

Stratus migraine involves severe pain lasting longer than 72 hours. They are rare, but may require hospitalization.

Taking your prescription migraine medication at the first sign of an attack can stave off or lessen the impact of a migraine. Imitrex nasal spray is also available for those who suffer from nausea and vomiting with their migraines. If possible, retreat to a dark, quiet room with a cool cloth over your eyes. If you are able to doze off, a nap is one of the best migraine pain medicines.

About Author

Lynn Woods is an author with an interest in health and wellness who researches and writes about medications. She feels strongly that everyone should have access to affordable medicine, and recommends Big Mountain Drugs as a reliable and affordable Canadian online pharmacy.

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