Guide to Migraines: 9 Different Types and Symptoms

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When you think of a migraine, what are the “typical” symptoms that come to mind? Pulsing pain, light sensitivity and nausea are some of the most common, but there are other signs and symptoms depending on the type of migraine.

According to one study, adult women suffer from migraines three to four times more frequently than men. Globally, 40% of the adult population suffers from a headache disorder, with 11% experiencing migraines, and on the World Health Organization’s ranking causes of disability, headache disorders were found to be the third highest cause of disability-adjusted life years worldwide, after stroke and dementia.

In the guide below, we outline some of the most common migraine types. Be sure to talk with your doctor for more information on migraines and migraine treatment options.

What Is A Migraine?

A migraine is a recurring headache ranging from moderate to severe intensity. Throbbing or pounding pain can occur in the head, neck or face, one side of the head or behind the eye, and it can sometimes be mistaken for a sinus headache.

A migraine can last between four to 72 hours and is usually associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia (light sensitivity) and phonophobia (sound sensitivity).

Can Weather Trigger A Migraine?

If you’ve ever suffered from a terrible headache and thought incoming rain could be worsening your symptoms, you wouldn’t be alone. The answer is a little more complicated, however, with the research conducted showing mixed results between weather patterns and migraines.

In one clinical study, some migraine sufferers did show significant weather sensitivity and some degree of weather variables did contribute to migraine events, but a broader consistent pattern could not be proved.

The most commonly reported weather-specific migraine triggers include temperature and humidity, pressure changes, and amount of daily sunlight exposure. Weather events like storm fronts, strong winds, and altitude changes can affect these migraine triggers.

9 Types Of Migraines

Not everyone will have “typical” migraine symptoms depending on a number of factors, including age, sex, family health history and other causes.

There are four phases of a migraine attack, depending on the severity and type of migraine.

• Prodrome: A few hours to days, early signs may include irritability, depression, food cravings, light and sound sensitivity, fatigue, nausea and trouble sleeping.
• Aura: Ranging from five to 60 minutes, signs may include visual impairment and numbness.
• Headache: Four to 72 hours, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, anxiety, sensitivity to light and sound, throbbing pain, neck pain, shooting pain in the head, and more.
• Postdrome: 24 to 48 hours, residual symptoms may include fatigue, lack of concentration, depression or euphoria.

1. Migraine with aura

Also called a “classic migraine”, about a quarter of people who experience migraines also report aura. Aura refers to a visual change or disturbance and is the second phase of a migraine, lasting between five to 60 minutes. The aura will occur before a headache, though some people may not experience the headache at all.

Aura symptoms may include:

• Seeing dots, sparks, flashes, zigzags or other disturbances
• Tingling or numbness on the face or body
• Temporary loss of sight or blind spots
• Problems with speech

M​igraine with brainstem aura

A migraine with brainstem aura is a rare subtype of migraine, formerly known as basilar-type migraine, which occurs with additional neurological symptoms such as:

• Slurring speech
• Vertigo
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Double vision
• Unsteadiness when walking
• Pins and needles, numbness in arms or legs
• Changes in eyesight

2. Migraine without aura

Migraine without aura used to be referred to as the “common migraine”, as about 70-75% of patients do not experience aura. Aura is treated as a warning sign of a migraine, so for this type of migraine, you may move from prodrome symptoms straight to the headache.

As described above, these migraine symptoms may include:

• Head pain, usually described as pulsing or throbbing
• Sensitivity to light, noise or smells
• Nausea and vomiting

3. Migraine without headache (acephalgic migraine)

This is exactly what it sounds like - a migraine without a headache. It was previously called “silent migraine” before the name fell out of use. A person suffering from this particular type of migraine may experience an aura (visual disturbances) and other symptoms of a normal migraine (like light sensitivity) without head pain.

4. Chronic migraine

5. Hemiplegic migraine

Hemiplegic migraine is a rare subtype of migraine with aura, characterized by weakness on one side of the body, impairment of sensation or speech, and other migraine symptoms.

There are two types of hemiplegic migraine:

1. Familial hemiplegic migraine - migraines that run in the family
2. Sporadic hemiplegic migraine - migraines occurring sporadically in one individual

Other symptoms of hemiplegic migraine may include:

• Motor weakness in one side of the body, usually starting in the hand and gradually spreading to the arm and face
• Aura symptoms like vision changes
• Tingling, numbness
• Fever or lethargy

Symptoms usually occur over 20 to 30 minutes, though rare cases may mimic a stroke and develop rapidly. The effects can last for a few hours to days, or as long as a few weeks.

6. Retinal migraine

Another subtype of migraine with aura, retinal migraine affects the eyes and can cause temporary vision loss. Symptoms may include:

• Vision loss between 10 minutes up to one hour
• A blind spot, blurred vision, flashing lights
• Headache
• Nausea and dizziness

7. Abdominal migraine

Abdominal migraine is a type of migraine without the usual head pain symptom, but instead displays symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting that may last from two to 72 hours. It’s a condition mostly seen in children, affecting four in 100 children and some adults.

Abdominal migraine pain may feel like a dull ache or soreness in the middle of the stomach around the belly button. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, pale appearance, and light and noise sensitivity.

The cause of abdominal migraine is not known, though children with abdominal migraine may have a family or personal history of migraine headaches.

8. Menstrual Migraine

Menstrual migraine refers to migraine attacks that occur during menstruation. They tend to be severe and last longer than other types of migraines, and while women can also experience migraines at other times of the month, this is the type of migraine only experienced during menstruation and not at any other time.

Menstrual migraine is caused by the rapid drop in estrogen levels that occur just before a period, and are challenging to treat - these migraine symptoms may not respond to the same medicines that work on migraine attacks that happen at other times.

9. Vestibular migraine

Vestibular migraine is when sufferers experience a combination of vertigo and dizziness with other migraine symptoms. Vertigo is when a person feels like the world around them is moving, and symptoms are described as spinning dizziness, swaying sensation, or loss of balance.

Vestibular migraine symptoms may include:

• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light, sound or smells
• Vertigo (sensation of movement), sensitivity to movement
• Sensitivity to head or face
• Headache

Learn More About The Effects Of Weather On Migraines

With weather cited as a common trigger for migraine sufferers, it’s important to learn how to manage your symptoms during seasonal changes.

Be sure to check out The Weather Channel’s health and wellness content for more information about migraines and head pain, skin conditions, diabetes, and tips for healthy living.

Always discuss any questions or concerns about your health with a physician, dermatologist or other specialist.

The Weather Company does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk with your doctor before starting any new medicine, supplement, weight loss or exercise regimen.

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