Migraine is certainly a complex condition. Those of us living with it are very aware that it is not ‘just a headache’. But from excessive yawning to speech mix-ups, there are a whole host of weird and wonderful symptoms connected to migraine. Check out some of the more surprising ones below:
Migraine? Yawn!
Migraine can certainly be boring and tiresome when you’re grappling with symptoms. But did you know that yawning is actually a recognised symptom of the premonitory stage of migraine?
In the 24 hours leading up to the main attack phase of migraine, many people experience the premonitory phase. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘warning stage’. During this time, people may experience physical or mental changes that can tell them an attack is underway. One of the commonly reported symptoms of this stage is excessive yawning.
So, next time you find yourself yawning through a family member’s anecdote, it’s worth bearing in mind it might actually be a symptom of migraine!
Say what?! Jumbling words
Do you ever find yourself struggling to get a word out, feeling like the words other people are saying sound like gobbledygook, or noticing your speech becoming slurred? This can be a frightening experience, not least because we often associate these types of symptoms with stroke or other medical emergencies.
It’s important to flag these symptoms with a healthcare professional if you experience them, to rule out other causes. But it’s also worth knowing that they may be associated with migraine.
Difficulty with language or speech, known as dysphasia, can be a symptom experienced in migraine, usually during the aura phase. The good news is that, when experienced as a migraine symptom, the effect is temporary.
Pass the tissues!
Pain or pressure behind the eyes, or in the face and forehead can be symptoms of a sinus infection, but they can also be associated with migraine.
A migraine attack can also activate the autonomic nervous system – part of the nervous system that regulates all kinds of bodily functions. This can result in symptoms more commonly associated with sinus infections, such as congestion, a runny nose and watery eyes.
Unsure whether you’re experiencing migraine symptoms or a sinus infection? It’s best to get any new symptoms like this checked out with your GP to be sure. Either way, you might want to keep the tissues handy!
Brain fog
Everyone has found themselves walking into a room and forgetting why they went in there in the first place. But if you have migraine and find yourself often feeling distracted, confused or just generally ‘not quite with it’, you may be experiencing brain fog.
Brain fog can be experienced in several phases of a migraine attack. If it isn’t part of the main attack phase for you, you may have not even made the connection between migraine and brain fog.
It’s not entirely clear why some people experience brain fog as part of a migraine attack. American Migraine Foundation suggest it may be part of the same process that can lead to aura in those who experience it: cortical spreading depression. This is a slow wave of altered brain activity that spreads through your brain during a migraine attack.
If you experience brain fog, it’s worth keeping a migraine diary to establish if there is a link between this and your migraine attack stages.
Stomach symptoms
‘Migraine? Oh, like headaches?’ – a sentence many of us living with migraine have (unfortunately) encountered more times than we can count! But for some people, stomach pain can actually be the main symptom of an attack.
Abdominal migraine is a condition that is more commonly seen in children, but which also affects some adults. Rather than head pain, severe abdominal pain may be the main symptom, alongside other symptoms more typical of migraine.
Nausea and vomiting can also be symptoms of multiple migraine types. These symptoms can be particularly difficult to manage as they can have a knock-on effect, making drinking enough and eating well difficult, both of which are commonly associated migraine triggers. Try taking regular small sips of a cold drink and eating smaller, more frequent meals if this is an issue for you.
These symptoms may not be what people usually think of when they think ‘migraine’, but they are the reality for many people living with this complex condition. If you are struggling with any of these symptoms, you’re not alone. Our helpline can also provide information and support if you need it.
