Are you having a headache, which makes you feel like someone is using a hammer inside your head? A migraine headache is more than just a headache and causes nausea, debilitating pain, light sensitivity, and other symptoms which can go on for days. Your Colorado Springs migraine specialist can help you obtain relief using ketamine infusions, but it helps to know the telltale signs to be on the lookout for the condition’s stages.
The team at Military Matters Ketamine Clinic of Colorado uses their combined experience and modern equipment for diagnosis and treatment to help patients who have migraines enjoy a better quality life. Below, we have compiled an expert opinion about the four stages of migraine headaches and the likely symptoms you might experience to help you know when to seek help.
- Prodrome
Prodrome is the initial stage of a migraine. This stage may occur several hours or days prior to the migraine reaching its climax. You may be having prodrome symptoms but fail to notice it since they are not closely related to a headache. Among the symptoms to watch out for include:
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fluid retention, bloating
- Excessive yawning and unexplained fatigue
- Nausea
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Stiffening of muscles in the neck
- Increased sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells
Most patients have also reported experiencing mood swings, resulting in irritability, unexplained sadness, and anxiety. Your doctor at Military Matters Ketamine Clinic of Colorado asserts that the use of medication and other therapeutic interventions can help avoid the migraine from progressing.
- Aura
This stage succeeds the prodromal symptoms and usually lasts for a few minutes to an hour. However, it may last throughout the migraine cycle in some instances. You may experience the following symptoms:
- Smelling non-existent odors and smells
- Change in vision such as blurriness, partial loss of vision, zig-zag lines and flashing lights
- Vertigo
- Confusion and having an incoherent speech
- Numbness or tingling in the extremities and face
- Weakness in the arms or legs
Close to a third of migraine patients experience the aura stage. You can also experience the above symptoms due to neurological conditions such as brain tumors and stroke, which may signal a medical emergency.
- Headache
Migraine-related headaches start gradually and become worse with time. Your head throbs from one side, which can last for hours or days. You may experience a severe headache accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and vomiting.
- Postdrome
Postdrome is the last stage of a migraine. It normally lasts for a day and its symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Body aches
- Fatigue/exhaustion
Most people report that this stage feels like nursing a hangover. While some people experience all the above stages, you may not experience all the stages in some instances.
The specialists at Military Matters Ketamine Clinic of Colorado are ready and determined to help you identify your migraine triggers to design a treatment strategy that will relieve you of your symptoms. If you or a loved one is experiencing frequent headaches, visit your specialist to learn how ketamine infusions can help.