That throbbing pain behind your eye, the relentless pounding that makes even the slightest light feel like a spotlight – we’ve all experienced a headache. But when does a regular headache cross the line into something more debilitating, something like a migraine?

Living with undiagnosed migraine can significantly impact your daily life. You might find yourself missing work, social events, or simply struggling to get through the day. Recognizing migraine involves understanding its distinct characteristics and associated symptoms. While a formal diagnosis should always come from a qualified doctor such as an ENT specialist, general physician or a neurologist, here’s how you can get an idea if you might be suffering from migraines:

Key Characteristics of Migraine:

• Headache:
  • Often described as throbbing, pulsating, or pounding.
  • Typically on one side of the head (unilateral), but can occur on both sides.
  • Moderate to severe in intensity.
  • Worsened by physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs.
  • Can last from 4 to 72 hours if untreated.
• Associated Symptoms: At least one of the following often accompanies the headache:
  • Nausea and/or vomiting.
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  • Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia).

Other Potential Symptoms:

Migraines can also involve a range of other symptoms that may occur before, during, or after the headache phase:

• Prodrome (hours or days before): Subtle changes that warn of an upcoming migraine, such as:
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Mood changes (irritability, depression, or euphoria)
  • Food cravings
  • Neck stiffness
  • Increased urination
  • Fluid retention
  • Frequent yawning
  • Difficulty concentrating
• Aura (before or during the headache, lasting 5-60 minutes): Reversible nervous system symptoms, usually visual, but can include other disturbances:
  • Visual phenomena: Seeing bright spots, flashing lights, zigzag lines, or temporary vision loss.
  • Sensory changes: Tingling or numbness on one side of the face or in an arm or leg.
  • Speech difficulties.
  • Weakness on one side of the body.
  • Dizziness or vertigo.
• During the Headache: Besides the main headache symptoms, you might experience:
  • Blurred vision
  • Lightheadedness
  • Sensitivity to smells (osmophobia)
  • Feeling cold or sweaty
• Postdrome (after the headache): A period of feeling drained, fatigued, or “washed out,” which can last up to a day or two. Some people may feel unusually energetic.

When to See a Doctor:

It’s important to consult an ENT specialist or other qualified doctors if you experience frequent or severe headaches, especially if:

• Your headaches are severe or getting worse.
• You have headaches more than once a week.
• You find it difficult to control your headaches with over-the-counter pain relievers.
• You experience new or unusual symptoms with your headaches, such as:
  • Sudden, severe headache (“thunderclap” headache)
  • Headache with fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, or numbness.
  • Headache after a head injury.
  • A change in the pattern of your headaches.

Keeping a Headache Diary:

Tracking your headaches can be very helpful for diagnosis. Note down:

• Date and time of the headache.
• Symptoms you experienced.
• Location and intensity of the pain.
• How long the headache lasted.
• Possible triggers (foods, stress, sleep changes, etc.).
• Medications you took and how well they worked.

This information will help your doctor understand your condition and determine the best course of action. Self-diagnosing can be tricky, as other types of headaches can share some symptoms with migraines.

Migraine is treatable. So lose your worries. An outline of management of migraine is available here. A thorough evaluation by a doctor is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management plan. Book an appointment with us if you think you may be suffering from Migraine!