What is the difference between migraine with and without aura, when is migraine chronic and what does hormonal migraine mean? You get the answer here from neurologist and headache specialist, Signe Bruun Munksgaard.
Signe Bruun Munksgaard, MD, PhD og speciallæge i neurologi har 17 års erfaring i behandling af hovedpinelidelser. Hun har tidligere været afdelingslæge og forsker på Dansk Hovedpinecenter. Nu arbejder hun som neurolog her hos Hemi og som afdelingslæge på Hovedpineklinikken på Bispebjerg Hospital.
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Do you want to know what symptoms and signs characterize migraine? Read more hereto.
One divides migraines into two different categories - with and without aura. Migraine with aura is characterized by the appearance of signals before the headache, which are either presented by visual disturbances or sensory disturbances, which gradually spread. For example, it may begin as a small dot or small sparks in one's field of vision that spread over a few minutes. In addition, the aura can begin as sensory disturbances, for example, with tingling in the fingers, which quietly crawls up as a sleeping sensation in the arm and further on the face. What determines which symptom you experience in migraine with aura depends on which part of the brain is affected.
“Both can cause something of a fright the first time you experience it. In particular, patients who first experience the aura as a tingling sensation in the arm will most often think that it may be a blood clot, which should be acted upon immediately and 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 migraines with or without aura. In chronic migraine you should experience a minimum of 15 days a month with headaches, of which eight of these days should be with migraines. Anything that does not fit into this category is characterized by episodic migraine. Depending on how typical headaches and migraines occur, there are different treatment options. If you are curious to hear how we can potentially help you, you are always welcome to give us a call.
Hormonal migraine is associated with hormonal changes that can occur during a woman's cycle. It is normal for women to experience the occurrence of migraines associated with their menstruation or ovulation. “One can have migraines, where the seizures occur in connection with changes in one's hormones, and also occur at other times that are not closely related to one's cycle”, describes Signe Munksgaard.
If you are not sure when to see a doctor in connection with your headache or migraine, you can read our neurologist's recommendation hereto.
