Migraines affect 39 million people in the US alone. That’s about 12% of the population. It is shocking then that many people still believe migraines are just a bad headache. One of the most debilitating features of this neurological condition is that the problems don’t stop when the headache ends. We’re going to look at what is often referred to as a migraine hangover – the symptoms that follow the headache phase.
The technical term is a migraine postdrome. The prodrome occurs in the 24 hours leading up to a migraine headache. The postdrome occurs in the 24 hours after (although sometimes symptoms can last longer). What are the symptoms of a migraine hangover?
Some symptoms are similar to what occurs during the migraine itself. For example, your sensory sensitivities may linger or you may be dizzy. However, there are other symptoms that may not set in until after the migraine headache goes away. These include:
The short answer is no. In fact, you may not even have every stage with each migraine, even if you occasional have all four stages. The four possible stages of migraine are:
Is there any way to reduce the risk of experiencing a migraine postdrome? Since doctors don’t know what causes migraines to begin with, it is no wonder that there is little understanding as to what causes this lesser-known phase. For now, the best way to avoid a migraine hangover is just to have fewer migraines, but how can you accomplish that goal?
One thing that people do to reduce the frequency of migraines and migraine hangovers is to maintain a migraine journal. This may be able to help you track your own personal triggers. While some of these triggers are not things you can avoid (weather-related triggers are unfortunately common), there are some things you can do to experience fewer migraines. A few suggestions include:
As a result of the connection between neck pain and migraines, many people have discovered upper cervical chiropractic care as a possible solution. What sets this niche apart from general chiropractic care? Here are three important factors:
Even the slightest upper cervical misalignment can have far-reaching effects. For example, since the C1 protects the brainstem, a misalignment can inhibit brainstem function. Because the cervical vertebrae facilitate blood flow to the brain, misalignments can affect this blood flow. These are just a couple of ways that a misalignment can lead to migraines.
If you are suffering from migraines and the subsequent hangover, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, give upper cervical a try. Scheduling a consultation with a practitioner near you may be your first step on the road to better health and wellness.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.