Types of Migraines: Symptoms, Causes, and When to See a Doctor Online

Migraines affect millions of Australians every year. This debilitating condition goes far beyond a regular headache. If you experience throbbing head pain, sensitivity to light, or nausea, you might be dealing with one of several types of migraines.

This guide explains the different types of migraines, their symptoms, and what triggers them. You’ll learn how to identify your migraine type and when you should speak to a doctor. Best of all, you can now access expert medical help without leaving home through online GP consultations.

Key Takeaways

• Migraines are not just headaches: They cause severe throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
• Different types exist: The main types include migraine without aura, migraine with aura, chronic migraine, and hormonal migraine.s
• Aura serves as a warning sign: Visual disturbances, tingling, or difficulty speaking can occur before the headache starts.
• Triggers vary by person: Common triggers include stress, hormonal changes, sleep disruption, certain foods, and weather changes.
• Treatment depends on type: Identifying your specific migraine type helps doctors prescribe the right medication and management plan.
• Online doctors can help: You can get diagnosed, receive prescriptions, and obtain medical certificates through telehealth consultations in Australia.

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What is a Migraine?

A migraine is a neurological condition that causes intense head pain and other symptoms. Many people confuse migraines with regular headaches, but they are quite different.

Regular headaches typically cause mild to moderate pain. Migraines, however, produce severe throbbing pain that usually affects one side of the head. People with migraine often experience additional symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

The World Health Organisation recognises migraines as one of the most disabling conditions globally. Migraine attacks can last anywhere from 4 hours to 3 days. During this time, daily activities become extremely difficult or impossible to perform.

Why It’s Important to Identify the Correct Type

Different types of migraines require different treatment approaches. Understanding which type affects you helps doctors create an effective management plan.

Some types of migraine headaches respond well to over-the-counter medication. Others need prescription treatments or preventive medication. Identifying your specific triggers also becomes easier when you know your migraine type.

An online doctor can help you identify your migraine type through a telehealth consultation. You can discuss your symptoms, medical history, and triggers from home. This saves time and provides quick access to professional medical advice.

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Types of Migraines

Doctors classify migraines into several categories based on symptoms and patterns. Here are the main types of migraines you should know about.

Major Types of Migraines

Migraine Without Aura (Common Migraine)

This is the most common form of migraine. About 70-90% of people with migraine experience this type.

Migraine without aura causes intense throbbing pain on one side of the head. The pain often worsens with physical activity. You might also experience nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Common triggers include stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, and changes in sleep patterns. Caffeine withdrawal and weather changes can also trigger this migraine attack.

Migraine With Aura

Migraine with aura includes warning signs before the headache phase begins. These warning signs are called “aura” and typically last 20 to 60 minutes.

Visual disturbances are the most common aura symptoms. You might see flashing lights, zigzag lines, or blind spots in your vision. Some people experience tingling sensations in their hands or face. Difficulty speaking can also occur during the aura phase.

After the aura ends, the headache phase begins. The headache and other symptoms are similar to migraine without aura.

Chronic Migraine

Chronic migraine means you experience migraine headaches on 15 or more days per month. These headaches must last at least 4 hours each time. This pattern must continue for at least 3 months to be classified as chronic.

People with chronic migraine often struggle with daily activities and work. The frequent attacks significantly impact the quality of life. Treatment focuses on prevention rather than just managing individual attacks.

Additional Types of Migraines

Vestibular Migraine

Vestibular migraine causes severe dizziness and balance problems. Some people experience vertigo (a spinning sensation) during these attacks.

The dizziness can occur with or without head pain. Episodes may last minutes to hours. This type often affects women more than men.

Menstrual Migraine

Menstrual migraine affects women due to hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle. These migraines typically occur 2 days before or during the first 3 days of menstruation.

Falling estrogen levels trigger this type of migraine. Women often find these attacks more severe and longer-lasting than other migraines. Standard migraine medications may work less effectively during this time.

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Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraine mainly affects children between the ages of 5 and 9. Instead of head pain, children experience severe stomach pain around the belly button.

Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite accompany the abdominal pain. These episodes typically last 1 to 72 hours. Many children who have abdominal migraine later develop regular migraines as adults.

Hemiplegic Migraine

Hemiplegic migraine is a rare and serious type. It causes temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body. The weakness can affect your arm, leg, or face.

Other symptoms include difficulty speaking, vision problems, and confusion. These symptoms can be frightening because they mimic stroke symptoms. The weakness usually resolves within 24 hours, but some people experience it for days.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms for the first time should seek immediate medical attention to rule out stroke.

Silent Migraine and Retinal Migraine

Silent migraine causes aura symptoms without the headache phase. You might experience visual disturbances, sensory changes, or difficulty speaking, but no headache follows.

Retinal migraine (also called ocular migraine) causes temporary vision loss or blind spots in one eye. These episodes last less than an hour. The vision disturbance affects only one eye, which helps distinguish it from migraine with aura.

Symptoms and Causes

Migraine Symptoms by Phase

Migraines progress through four distinct phases, though not everyone experiences all phases.

Prodrome Phase (1-2 days before headache):

• Mood changes
• Food cravings
• Neck stiffness
• Increased thirst
• Frequent yawning

Aura Phase (if present):

• Visual disturbances like flashing lights
• Tingling sensations
• Difficulty speaking
• Temporary vision loss

Headache Phase:

• Throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head
• Severe sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Lightheadedness

Postdrome Phase (after headache ends):

• Exhaustion
• Confusion
• Mood changes
• Weakness

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Common Triggers and Causes

Migraines result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. People with migraine have a hypersensitive nervous system that reacts strongly to certain triggers.

Common migraine triggers include:

• Stress and anxiety: Emotional stress is one of the most common triggers
• Hormonal changes: Particularly in women during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause
• Sleep changes: Too much or too little sleep can trigger attacks
• Foods and drinks: Aged cheese, processed meats, alcohol (especially red wine), and artificial sweeteners
• Caffeine: Both excessive intake and withdrawal
• Weather changes: Changes in barometric pressure or temperature
• Sensory stimuli: Bright lights, loud sounds, or strong smells
• Medications: Some medications can trigger migraines, including medication overuse headache from pain relievers
• Physical factors: Intense exercise, poor posture, or jaw tension

Family history plays a significant role. If one parent has migraines, you have a 40% chance of developing them. If both parents have migraines, your risk increases to 90%.

When to See a Doctor Online

You should consult a doctor if you experience migraines regularly or if they interfere with your daily life. Online consultations provide quick access to professional medical advice.

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden, severe headaches that feel different from your usual pattern
• Headaches accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, or seizures
• Headaches after a head injury
• Chronic headaches that worsen over time
• New headache patterns after age 50
• Vision changes that persist
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking
• Headaches that wake you from sleep

Recurring or severe migraines need medical attention.
Book a quick telehealth consultation to discuss your symptoms with a doctor and get a tailored management plan.

When to Go to the ER for Migraine While Pregnant

Pregnant women should take migraine symptoms seriously. Go to the emergency room if you experience:

• Sudden severe headache (often called a “thunderclap” headache)
• Headache with vision changes, confusion, or slurred speech
• Headache with high blood pressure
• Persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping food or water down
• Any headache accompanied by fever

These symptoms might indicate serious conditions like preeclampsia. An online doctor can help manage routine migraine during pregnancy, but emergency symptoms require immediate in-person care.

Treatment and Management

Managing migraines involves both treating acute attacks and preventing future episodes.

Acute Treatment

Acute treatments aim to stop a migraine attack once it starts. Options include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers (taken early in the attack)
• Prescription medications called triptans
• Anti-nausea medications
• Rest in a quiet, dark room
• Cold compress on your forehead or neck

Preventive Treatment

If you experience frequent migraines, preventive medication can reduce attack frequency and severity. Your doctor might prescribe:

• Daily medications to prevent attacks
• Supplements like magnesium or riboflavin
• CGRP inhibitors (newer preventive medications)

Lifestyle Adjustments

Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce migraine frequency:

• Maintain regular sleep schedules
• Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing
• Exercise regularly (but avoid sudden intense activity)
• Stay hydrated
• Eat regular meals (don’t skip breakfast)
• Identify and avoid your personal triggers
• Manage stress through healthy coping strategies

An online doctor can prescribe appropriate medications, provide a management plan, and issue medical certificates when bad headaches prevent you from working or studying. Our telehealth service connects you with Australian-registered GPs who understand how to manage migraines effectively.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of migraines helps you identify your symptoms and seek appropriate treatment. Whether you experience migraine with aura, menstrual migraine, or chronic migraine, effective management is possible.

Pay attention to your symptoms, triggers, and patterns. Keep a migraine diary to track when attacks occur and what might have caused them. This information helps doctors create an effective treatment plan.

If migraines affect your daily life, don’t wait to seek help. Modern treatment options can significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.

Take charge of your migraine care today.
From online consultations to e-prescriptions and medical certificates, our Telehealth Dr team helps you manage migraines safely and conveniently wherever you are in Australia.

FAQ’s:

What are the different types of migraines?

The main types of migraines include migraine without aura, migraine with aura, chronic migraine, vestibular migraine, menstrual migraine, abdominal migraine, and hemiplegic migraine. Each type has distinct symptoms and triggers.

What are the 4 C’s for migraines?

The 4 C’s refer to common migraine characteristics: Character (throbbing, pulsating pain), Chronology (timing and duration patterns), Complications (associated symptoms like nausea), and Contributors (triggers that cause attacks).

What is the hardest migraine?

Hemiplegic migraine is considered one of the most severe types. It causes temporary paralysis on one side of the body along with other stroke-like symptoms. Status migrainosus, which is a migraine attack lasting more than 72 hours, is also extremely difficult to manage.

What are the 7 different types of migraines?

The seven main types of migraine include:

1. Migraine without aura
2. Migraine with aura
3. Chronic migraine
4. Menstrual migraine
5. Vestibular migraine
6. Hemiplegic migraine
7. Abdominal migraine

What types of migraines affect vision?

Migraine with aura commonly affects vision through flashing lights, zigzag patterns, or blind spots. Retinal migraine causes temporary vision loss in one eye. Some people also experience blurred vision during the headache phase of any migraine type.

What are the 3 most common types of migraines?

The three most common types are migraine without aura (the most frequent), migraine with aura, and chronic migraine. These three account for the majority of migraine cases worldwide.

Are cluster headaches a type of migraine?

No, cluster headaches are not a type of migraine. They are a separate condition. Cluster headaches cause severe pain around one eye and occur in patterns or “clusters.” While equally painful, they have different characteristics and treatments from migraines.