A healthcare professional has issued a warning about the symptoms of a highly disabling neurological condition that one should be alert to.
Migraines affect approximately 37 million individuals in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies them as the most prevalent nervous system disorder.
Disorders related to headaches, including migraines, contribute significantly to global illness and disability. In 2019, they were the third most significant neurological health concern, following strokes and dementia.
Researchers use a metric called DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) to assess this. It combines the number of premature deaths with the years people live with the condition, impacting their quality of life.
Globally, around 40 percent of people, roughly 3.1 billion, experienced some form of headache disorder in 2021. Women are more likely than men to be affected.
At nearly every age group, from about age five to age 80, headaches rank among the top three neurological issues.
Dr. Bazo Raheem, a consultant neurologist and headache specialist verified through the healthcare platform Doctify, has detailed the four primary stages of migraines and their commonly associated symptoms.
Dr. Raheem emphasized that migraines are ‘much more than just a bad headache.’
“It is a long-term genetic neurological condition, which means it relates to the way the brain and nervous system work,” he noted.
“A throbbing headache with nausea and light/sound sensitivity is strongly suggestive of migraine but for many people it causes a wide range of symptoms that can change from one attack to the next.”
Discussing the symptoms, Dr. Raheem suggested understanding migraines as a condition progressing through multiple phases, rather than merely a headache.
This initial phase, described by Dr. Raheem as the ‘build-up,’ can begin hours or even days before the migraine pain manifests.
Individuals may not always anticipate a migraine, yet they frequently notice changes like excessive yawning, cravings for sweets, fatigue, irritability, or fluid retention in areas such as the ankles, feet, and legs. Increased urination and a stiff neck may also indicate an impending migraine attack.
Early detection can facilitate timely treatment, Dr. Raheem advised.
About one-third of individuals experience temporary neurological symptoms referred to as an ‘aura,’ occurring before or during the headache.
This may present as visual disturbances like flashing lights, zigzag patterns, or blind spots, along with tingling, numbness, or brief speech or language difficulties.
Dr. Raheem stated that an aura typically persists between 20 and 60 minutes.
This phase is what most people commonly associate with ‘the migraine’—characterized by moderate to severe pain that is throbbing or pulsating, often localized to one side of the head and exacerbated by movement like walking or bending.
The duration can vary from several hours to a few days. The headache is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.
Less frequent types of migraines might induce dizziness, a spinning sensation known as vertigo, imbalance, double vision, or even temporary weakness on one side of the body.
In certain instances, visible physical changes can occur, such as drooping eyelids, bloodshot eyes, or tearing from the eye or nose.
Even when the headache subsides, many do not feel completely recovered for a day or more. This ‘migraine hangover’ can involve exhaustion, impaired concentration or ‘brain fog,’ mood shifts, or overall weakness.
Dr. Raheem highlighted that while these phases may not seem connected to head pain, ‘they are very much part of the condition.’
Understanding the symptoms helps clarify why migraines can disrupt daily life in diverse and sometimes unforeseen ways—and why they are far more debilitating than a typical headache.
In general, migraines can range from two hours to three days in duration. Unsurprisingly, they can also adversely affect mental health, as the pain and stress of a migraine significantly impact individuals’ lives.
Dr. Raheem concluded: “If migraines are interfering with your life, specialist review can reset treatment and reduce dependence on painkillers. Effective help is available, and the right treatment plan can make a real difference.”
It’s important to remember that migraines affect people differently, so consulting a doctor if you have concerns is advisable.