What is the difference between migraine with and without aura, when is a migraine considered chronic, and what does hormonal migraine mean? Get the answers here from neurologist and headache specialist Signe Bruun Munksgaard.
Do you want to know which symptoms and signs characterize a migraine? Read more here.
Migraine is divided into two different categories – with and without aura. Migraine with aura is characterized by signals occurring before the headache, which manifest as either visual disturbances or sensory disturbances that gradually spread. For example, it can begin as a small dot or tiny sparks in your field of vision that spread over a few minutes. Additionally, the aura can begin as sensory disturbances, such as tingling in the fingers, which slowly creeps up as a numb sensation in the arm and continues into the face. What determines which symptom you experience with migraine with aura depends on which part of the brain is affected.
“Both can be quite frightening the first time you experience them. Especially patients who experience the aura for the first time as a tingling sensation in the arm will often think it could be a blood clot, which you should act on immediately and have ruled out", explains neurologist and headache specialist Signe Bruun Munksgaard.
Migraine can be either episodic or chronic. This applies regardless of whether you suffer from migraine with or without aura. For chronic migraine you must experience at least 15 days a month with a headache, of which eight of these days must be with migraine. Anything that does not fit into this category is characterized as episodic migraine. Depending on how typically your headache and migraine occur, there are various treatment options available. If you are curious to hear how we might be able to help you, you are always welcome to call us.
Hormonal migraine is linked to hormonal changes that can occur during a woman's cycle. It is common for women to experience migraines in connection with their menstruation or ovulation. “It is possible to have both migraines where attacks occur in connection with changes in your hormones and also occur at other times that are not closely linked to your cycle”, describes Signe Munksgaard.
If you are unsure when to see a doctor regarding your headache or migraine, you can read our neurologist's recommendation here.
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