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More than a headache -

A migraine is a neurological condition that can come with several different symptoms. The most common is an intense and debilitating headache. Other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, numbness or tingling, and difficulty speaking.

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First instances - Approximately half of the people who suffer from migraines will have their first attack before the age of 12. If migraines don’t occur before the age of 12, they usually start in early adulthood. Women are far more likely to suffer from migraines than men.

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Family history -

Migraines can often run in families. Indeed, family history is one of the main risk factors involved, and is often used to diagnose the condition.

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The prodrome phase -

The most common forms of migraine can have three or four different stages. The first stage is the prodrome stage. It can occur up to two days before the migraine hits.

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The prodrome phase -

The symptoms at this stage can include fatigue, food cravings, frequent yawning, hyperactivity, irritability, and a stiff neck.

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The aura phase -

Not all migraines include the aura stage, but if it happens, it can impact your sensations, vision, and speech. Common symptoms include difficulty speaking clearly, tingling in the face, arms, or legs, temporary vision loss, and seeing shapes or light flashes.

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The attack phase -

The next phase is the attack phase. It’s the phase where the full-blown headache hits and the sufferer experiences the most acute symptoms. For some people, it can overlap with the aura phase. It can last for hours or days, depending on the person.

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The attack phase - The symptoms include increased sensitivity to light, nausea, dizziness, pulsing and throbbing headache, pain concentrated in a specific part of the head, and vomiting.

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The postdrome phase -

The final phase is the postdrome phase. It’s characterized by a reduction in the symptoms and a change in mood. At this point the severe symptoms have usually faded to a mild, dull headache, or completely disappeared. The person can be left feeling fatigued and apathetic, or even euphoric.

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A wide variety of symptoms - Clearly there are a great deal of symptoms involved in a migraine, and they can vary from person to person. The length and severity of the migraine can also fluctuate dramatically. Sometimes all the phases are there, and sometimes one is skipped. Some migraines might not even include a headache!

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Not to be underestimated -

Saying a migraine is just like a headache is like saying that endometriosis is just like standard period cramps. These illnesses can be chronic and seriously debilitating.

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Varying lengths - Most migraines normally last around four hours. However, if they are left untreated, or don’t respond to treatment, they can last up to 72 hours.

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What's the cause? -

Researchers haven’t been able to pin down the cause of migraines yet, but certain chemical changes in the brain might be a contributing factor. Reduced levels of serotonin have been associated with migraines.

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Triggers -

Those who suffer from migraines can be triggered by the following: bright lights, severe heat, dehydration, excessive stress, changes in sleep routine, caffeine, and alcohol. Women are also at greater risk during hormone changes caused by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.

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Treatment - Unfortunately there’s no cure for migraines, but a doctor can help you manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life. The right treatment can reduce the frequency and intensity of the attacks, and make them less severe when they do occur.

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Preventative measures -

Preventing migraines often comes down to managing lifestyle choices that reduce the risk of triggering an attack. This can mean prioritizing sleep and stress management, or avoiding alcohol.

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Medications - There are certain prescription migraine medications that some people take daily, as well as medications that manage the symptoms of pain and nausea.

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Celebrity migraine sufferers -

Now, let’s take a look at some of the most famous people who suffer from migraines.

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Khloé Kardashian - Khloé Kardashian experiences migraines that make her nauseated and extremely sensitive to light. She experienced her first migraine as a child, but her family thought she was exaggerating her symptoms. She reports that her migraines got worse when the COVID-19 pandemic started, which research suggests is a reaction experienced by many people.

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Whoopi Goldberg - Whoopi Goldberg suffered from severe migraines throughout her life, and was 65 years old when she finally found an effective treatment. She spoke to Khloé Kardashian about an acute migraine medication on her talk show, 'The View,' and was convinced to try Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) for herself. They are both now avid spokespersons for the drug.

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Ben Affleck -

Men are less likely to suffer from migraines, but Ben Affleck is proof that it can happen. While working on the movie 'Gone Baby Gone' (2007), he got so little sleep that it triggered a terrible migraine. It was so bad that it landed him in the hospital, and he's been careful to prioritize a strict sleep schedule ever since.

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Serena Williams -

Tennis star Serena Williams used to suffer from migraines, which once even cost her a tournament. She learned that she had menstrual migraine headaches that were caused by the hormones released during her time of the month. People who suffer from menstrual migraines may be prescribed a medication to balance their hormones.

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Elle Macpherson - Elle Macpherson suffers from migraines, which was a big problem for a supermodel who frequently worked under bright lights. She used a holistic approach and managed her migraines with acupuncture. Some studies have shown that acupuncture considerably reduces the frequency of migraines for some people.

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Kristin Chenoweth - Kristin Chenoweth experienced her first migraine in the middle of a live performance when she was 25. She was diagnosed with a serious case of vestibular migraine. This kind causes vertigo along with the other terrible symptoms. Her attacks were frequent (15 days out of the month), so she was prescribed a more extreme treatment: Botox injections! There are studies to suggest that Botox can be an effective long-term treatment for some people.

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Janet Jackson -

Janet Jackson is another performer who suffers from vestibular migraines, which forced her to cancel multiple concerts in 2008. The bright lights and loud sounds are particularly strong triggers for this kind of migraine.

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Lisa Kudrow - Lisa Kudrow recalled that family outings that involved a lot of excitement and fast food would often end in terrible migraines, not only for her, but for her father and siblings. The condition definitely ran in her family!

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Carly Simon -

Grammy winner Carly Simon has made many lifestyle changes to prevent frequent migraines. She quit smoking, sleeps eight hours a night, doesn't consume any caffeine, and avoids alcohol. By the way, red wine is a trigger for many people.

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Marcia Cross -

'Desperate Housewives' star Marcia Cross has suffered from severe migraines that make it impossible to work, affecting her vision and causing nausea. She has become a spokesperson for a migraine medication called Triptan. It is said to relieve the symptoms of nausea and pain by increasing serotonin.

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Jordin Sparks -

Jordin Sparks suffers from migraines and says that they run in her family. She finds that they can be triggered by floral-scented perfumes, and she quickly notices changes to her vision and becomes nauseated. Sparks is now a spokesperson for the headache medication Excedrin.

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Terrell Davis -

Terrell Davis is a former professional football player who got struck with a migraine during the 1998 Super Bowl. He later told reporters that he was seeing double, which is a typical aura phase symptom. He took some medication and was able to rejoin the game. He now avoids caffeine and foods that contain MSG.

Sources: (WebMD) (Healthline) (Everyday Health)

See also: Stars who suffer from chronic illnesses

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