Most people with migraines suffer from common migraines, but there are other types of migraine that are less common. Abdominal migraine is a fairly common condition that affects 4 out of 100 children and some adults. Hemiplegic migraine is a rare type of migraine that causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, speech and vision disturbances, and other symptoms that resemble a stroke. People who experience repeated and continuous episodes of migraine may have a variant called chronic migraine, also known as transformed migraine or intractable migraine.
Retinal migraine is a rare variant of migraine that is characterized by repeated cases of visual disturbances, such as blind spots or blindness on one side of the field of vision. Medication Overuse Headache (MOH) is another type of headache that has symptoms similar to tension headaches or migraines. It is estimated that nearly half of the adult population experiences headaches and 12% of Americans suffer from migraines. People with chronic migraine may use acute pain relievers for headache for more than 10 to 15 days per month, which can lead to even more frequent headaches.
If you have migraines consistently or experience one of the rare types, even once, it is important to see a neurologist who specializes in migraines and headaches. To determine what type of migraine or headache you have, it is important to focus on where your head hurts and the symptoms that come with it. This can help you and your doctor create an effective treatment plan and reduce the number of painful days. It is also common for this type of headache to require physical therapy in addition to medication or other treatment.
Experts from the American Migraine Foundation have in-depth knowledge and training in headache medicine and can help you determine what type of migraine you have. If you think you may have a sinus headache or tension-type headache, it is important to consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
