Unlike regular headaches, migraines are not your “run-of-the-mill” head pain that you can ignore. What differentiates the two is that a migraine usually starts on one side of the head, while typical headaches can occur on both sides. Migraines can make you feel sick and cause you to develop sensitivity towards light or sound. The condition can be so severe that some people have chronic migraines- a lifelong condition that causes the sufferer to have long-term symptoms and effects. Let’s explore the issues that can crop up through the effects of chronic migraines.

Migraines Explained through the Four Defining Stages

There are four stages of migraine attacks: prodrome, aura, the attack, and post-drome. Although, they vary differently from each person:

• The prodrome stage often occurs one or two days before a migraine. Warning signs include constipation, extreme mood changes, and an insatiable appetite due to food cravings.
• The aura stage usually develops during the pre-stages or in-between the event of a migraine attack. Some people can experience cognitive problems like speaking or difficulty in leg movements.
• Pre or during the event of a migraine attack, some people can see flashes of light or a strange aura enveloping their eyesight that can cause visual disturbances.
• Post-migraine, your body will feel exhausted for the entire day as it needs much-needed rest to recuperate from the mental and physical effects of the migraine.

Long Term Effects of Untreated Chronic Migraine

Migraines can lead to other co-morbidities after experiencing migraines for a significant portion of your life and in the later stages of life:

• Studies have shown that both migraines and depression go hand-in-hand, especially during the early diagnosis of the disease and later in life. Symptoms include sensory problems like photophobia and psychology-related health ailments such as depression, anxiety, and panic disorders.
• Migraines can lead to stroke and other cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and hypertension. High-risk patients are 50 years or older.
• Although rare, studies have also shown that visual disturbances aura can lead to Parkinson’s disease or other People with migraines also develop a type of leg ailment- aka restless leg syndrome where they will exhibit discomfort in their leg and movement.

The Stigma from Modern Society

• Migraines can affect one’s quality of life due to the impact on daily life before, during and after a migraine attack.
• Often, a stigma comes due to ignorance of the disease since most people take migraines lightly since they assume that it is just a regular headache. Chronic migraine sufferers can face the risk of losing their job if the disease interferes with their working productivity.

The Head Pain Institute Can Provide Relief

While many migraine sufferers believe they must struggle through every migraine attack,  Head Pain Institute patients have found relief from their symptoms and frequency of migraines. Let the experts at the Head Pain Institute be your first choice to provide effective and lasting migraine pain relief and treatment.