Migraine headaches can vary in severity and duration, but they often present with a combination of the following symptoms:
1. **Throbbing or Pulsating Pain**: Migraine headaches typically involve intense, throbbing or pulsating pain that can affect one side of the head or both sides. The pain may worsen with physical activity and can be debilitating for some individuals.
2. **Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia)**: Many people with migraines experience increased sensitivity to light, known as photophobia. Bright lights, sunlight, and even fluorescent or flickering lights can exacerbate migraine symptoms and cause discomfort.
3. **Sensitivity to Sound (Phonophobia)**: Sensitivity to sound, or phonophobia, is another common symptom of migraines. Loud noises or certain sounds may worsen headache pain and increase discomfort for individuals with migraines.
4. **Nausea and Vomiting**: Migraine headaches are often accompanied by nausea and, in some cases, vomiting. Nausea can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities and may persist throughout the duration of the migraine attack.
5. **Visual Disturbances (Aura)**: Some individuals experience visual disturbances known as aura before or during a migraine attack. Aura symptoms can include flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots, or temporary vision loss. Not all migraine sufferers experience aura, and it may not occur with every migraine episode.
6. **Aura Symptoms in Other Sensory Areas**: In addition to visual disturbances, some individuals may experience aura symptoms that affect other sensory areas, such as tingling or numbness in the face or hands, difficulty speaking, or unusual sensations in the limbs.
7. **Dizziness or Vertigo**: Migraine attacks can cause feelings of dizziness or vertigo, which may be accompanied by a sensation of spinning or imbalance.
8. **Aura with Motor Weakness**: In rare cases, migraine aura can involve motor weakness or difficulty with coordination, such as weakness or clumsiness in one arm or leg.
9. **Aura with Brainstem Symptoms**: Migraine with brainstem aura, also known as basilar migraine or migraine with brainstem aura, can cause symptoms such as double vision, slurred speech, ringing in the ears, and loss of balance or coordination.
10. **Postdrome Symptoms**: After the acute phase of a migraine attack resolves, some individuals may experience lingering symptoms known as the postdrome phase. Postdrome symptoms can include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of weakness or malaise.
It's important to note that migraine symptoms can vary from person to person and from one migraine episode to another. Additionally, not all migraine sufferers experience all of the symptoms listed above, and some individuals may experience additional symptoms not mentioned here. If you experience recurrent headaches with any of the symptoms described above, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management.