Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Types of migraine: with and without aura, chronic, menstrual, vestibular and rare forms, and medication-overuse headache.
Migraine is grouped by its pattern. A doctor can tell which type you have from your history.
Migraine without aura
The most common type, about 7 in 10 cases. A throbbing headache with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, without any warning signs in the vision or senses.
Migraine with aura
Headache comes with, or after, temporary disturbances such as zigzag lines, blind spots, tingling or speech difficulty.
Chronic migraine
Headache on 15 or more days a month for over 3 months, with migraine features on at least 8 of them.
Menstrual migraine
Attacks linked to the menstrual cycle, usually in the days around the period.
Vestibular migraine
Dizziness and balance problems are the main symptom, sometimes with little headache.
Migraine with brainstem aura and hemiplegic migraine
Rare forms with speech trouble, double vision or temporary weakness on one side. These can look like stroke, so they must be checked by a doctor the first time.
Silent migraine (aura without headache)
Visual or sensory aura with no headache.
Abdominal migraine and cyclic vomiting
Seen in children, with stomach pain or repeated vomiting and no headache.
Medication-overuse headache
Not a true migraine type, but a headache caused by taking painkillers too often.
Ayurvedic view
Head pain is classified by Dosha in traditional texts. These classes do not match modern types.
Key point
The type guides treatment. Keep a record of your attacks to share with your doctor.
Key point
The type guides treatment. Keep a record of your attacks to share with your doctor.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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