Migraines are debilitating headaches that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, and visual disturbances.
But did you know that migraines can also lead to brain fog? Brain fog is a condition marked by confusion, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating.
If you’re struggling with both migraine and brain fog, you’re not alone.
In this article, we’ll explore the connection between brain fog and migraine attacks and discuss ways to cope with both conditions.
Let’s get started.
What is a migraine, exactly?
Migraine symptoms are often moderate to severe headaches that cause a throbbing sensation on one side of the head.
Not only do many people have cognitive symptoms such as feeling sick or being sick, but they also experience increased sensitivity to light or sound.
According to studies, approximately 1 in 5 women and 1 in 15 men suffer from migraine attacks.
Migraines can also last for hours or even days, and they can be extremely painful.
Types of Migraine Headaches
There are several types of migraines, and each has its own symptoms, such as the following:
Migraine with aura (complicated migraine)
An aura is a warning sign that a migraine attack is about to occur. It is a neurological symptom that affects your vision, smell, or other senses.
Some people experience an aura as a visual disturbance, such as:
- flashing lights
- zig-zag patterns
- blind spots
- tunnel vision
- colored spots
- stars and sparkles
Other auras also manifest as the following:
- Problems with their sense of smell or taste
- Hard time understanding people in conversations
- Migraine confusion or brain fog
- Speech problems
- Sudden jerks
- Feeling needle sensations on your fingers, arms, and face
- Muscle weakness
A migraine with aura usually lasts for about an hour. It usually occurs in one out of three people, but you can expect that it does not occur all the time when there’s a migraine attack.
Migraine without aura (common migraine)
As the name suggests, people who have migraines without aura do not experience any warning signs before the headache pain begins.
This type of migraine is more common than migraine with aura. The frequency of the attacks can range from several times a week. It can also last for several hours or even days.
Abdominal migraine
This type of migraine disease is more common in children than adults. It is marked by abdominal pain that starts before the headache occurs.
Other cognitive symptoms of an abdominal migraine include:
- Pale skin
- Cold hands and feet
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Lethargy
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Anxiety
Some children who experience abdominal migraines also vomit or feel nauseous. The headache usually goes away after the child vomits.
Migraine without headache (silent migraine)
A migraine without a headache is also called a silent migraine. As the name suggests, people who have this type of migraine do not experience any headaches.
However, they may still experience other symptoms of a migraine, such as:
- Visual impairments
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Pins and needles sensation
Migraine with brainstem aura (formerly called basilar migraine)
Migraine with brainstem aura is a rare type of migraine. It is marked by neurological symptoms that affect your brain stem, such as:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Tingling in your hands and feet
- Ringing in your ears
- Slurred speech
- Temporary loss of vision
- Double vision
- Loss of balance
Unlike other types of migraines, migraine with brainstem aura usually affects both sides of your head.
Status migrainosus (intractable migraine)
Status migrainosus is a severe type of migraine pain that lasts for more than 72 hours. It is marked by severe pain and other disabling symptoms, such as the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Body aches
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Difficulty concentrating
- Visual problems
- Dizziness
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical help right away.
Hemiplegic migraine
Hemiplegic migraine headache is a rare and severe type of migraine. It is marked by temporary paralysis on one side of your body, which can last for several minutes or even hours.
Other hemiplegic migraine symptoms include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Confusion
- Speech problems
- Loss of balance
If you have any of these symptoms, it is crucial that you get medical assistance immediately.
Optical migraine
An optical migraine is also called a visual, retinal, or ocular migraine. It is marked by temporary vision loss or blindness in one eye.
Other symptoms of an optical migraine include:
- Flashing lights
- Zigzag patterns
- Blind spots
- Temporary vision loss or blindness
These symptoms usually last for about 30 minutes. In some cases, they may last for up to an hour.
Cluster headaches
A cluster headache is a rare type of headache that is marked by severe pain on one side of your head. The pain is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Tearing eyes
- Runny nose
- Droopy eyelid
- Swollen nostril
Cluster headaches usually occur in cycles or “clusters.” They can last for several weeks or even months.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is crucial that you seek medical assistance as soon as you can.
Episodic migraine
An episodic migraine is a type of migraine that occurs less than 15 days per month.
Over time, people suffering from episodic migraines can either see an improvement in their condition, no change at all, or a progression into high-frequency episodic migraine.
Chronic migraine
A chronic migraine is a type of migraine that occurs more than 15 days per month.
People suffering from chronic migraine attacks often have other health conditions, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Sleep disorders
- Obesity
If you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it is important to seek medical help.
Menstrual migraine
Menstrual migraine is a type of migraine that occurs in women during their menstrual cycle.
The exact cause of menstrual migraines is unknown, but they are thought to be caused by changes in hormone levels.
Symptoms of a menstrual migraine include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Body aches
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Difficulty concentrating
- Visual impairments
- Dizziness
Vestibular migraine
A vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that affects your balance and causes dizziness.
The exact cause of vestibular migraine is unknown, but they are thought to be caused by changes in the level of certain chemicals in your brain.
Symptoms of a vestibular migraine include:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Confusion
- Speech problems
- Loss of balance
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Ophthalmoplegic Migraine
An ophthalmoplegic migraine is a rare type of migraine that affects your eyes.
The exact cause of ophthalmoplegic migraines is unknown, but they are thought to be caused by changes in the level of certain chemicals in your brain.
Ophthalmoplegic migraine symptoms include:
- Eye pain
- Drooping eyelid
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Paralysis of the eye muscles
- Nausea
- Vomiting
There are many different types of migraines, and each one has its own set of symptoms. If you think you may be suffering from a migraine, it is important to seek medical help so that you can get the proper diagnosis and treatment.
The Stages of a Migraine
There are four different stages of a migraine:
- Prodrome
- Aura
- Attack
- Post-drome
Not everyone experiences all four stages of a migraine, but it is important to be aware of them so that you can identify a migraine and get the proper treatment.
Prodrome
The prodrome stage of a migraine usually starts one or two days before the migraine attack.
During this stage, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Neck pain
- Yawning
- Frequent urination
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to be aware that a migraine may be coming on and to take steps to prevent it.
Aura
The aura stage of a migraine usually starts 30 minutes to an hour before the migraine attack.
During this stage, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Visual problems
- Flashing lights
- Zig-zag lines
- Blind spots
- Temporary vision loss
- Confusion
- Speech problems
- Dizziness
- Numbness or tingling in your face, hands, or feet
These symptoms indicate an oncoming migraine attack. So, it is important to take preventive steps if you experience any of them.
Attack
The attack stage of a migraine is when the migraine actually happens.
During this stage, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Severe headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Body aches
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Difficulty concentrating
- Visual issues
- Dizziness
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical help so that you can get the proper treatment.
Post-drome
The postdrome stage of a migraine usually happens after the migraine attack has passed.
During this stage, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Dizziness
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s vital to consult a doctor for assistance and treatment.
What causes migraines?
Although the root cause of migraine attacks is not fully understood, it’s believed that they’re caused by an irregularity in brain activity that disturbs signals between nerves, chemicals, and blood vessels.
Although the reason for this brain activity is not entirely clear, it’s possible that your genes are more likely to cause migraines when combined with a specific trigger.
There are many different factors that can trigger migraines, including:
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Skipping meals
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Weather changes
- Bright or flickering lights
- Loud noises
- Strong smells
- Alcohol or caffeine consumption
- Smoking
- Certain foods
- Hormonal changes in women
If you experience migraines, it is important to keep track of your triggers so that you can avoid them.
Diagnosis
If you believe you have a migraine, it is vital to get a medical opinion for an accurate diagnosis and corresponding treatment plan.
Your doctor will likely ask about your medical history and symptoms. They may also order some tests, such as blood work or a brain scan, to rule out other conditions.
If you experience migraines with aura, your doctor may refer you to a neurologist for further testing.
How do migraines affect the brain?
Migraines can cause a number of different symptoms, including brain fog.
Brain fog is a general term used to describe a feeling of confusion or disorientation. It can make it difficult to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions. It can also cause sleepiness and fatigue.
Migraines can also cause other symptoms that affect the brain, such as:
- Visual disturbances
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness
- Difficulty speaking
- Dizziness
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical help so that you can get the proper treatment.
How can migraines be treated?
There is no one-size-fits-all migraine treatment. The best way to treat migraines is to work with your doctor to find a plan that works for you.
Your migraine treatment plan may include the following:
- Avoiding triggers
- Medications
- Biofeedback
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Yoga
- Stress management
If you experience migraines, it is important to talk to your doctor so that you can find a treatment plan that works for you.
Coping with Migraine Brain Fog
If you experience brain fog during a migraine, it is important to rest and give your brain a break. Try to avoid bright lights and loud noises. If you can, lie down in a dark, quiet room.
You may also find it helpful to:
- Prioritize your sleep quality
- Get plenty of rest during the day
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat small, frequent meals that are packed with brain-boosting nutrients (omega-3s, B vitamins, magnesium)
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Get regular exercise
- Write things down to be more organized as much as possible.
- Train your brain regularly with brain teasers you enjoy (e.g., puzzles, Chess, Sudoku)
- Manage stress levels with relaxation techniques before and after a migraine attack by spending time in nature, meditating, or doing a hobby you love.
- Work with a migraine specialist.
Concluding Thoughts
Dealing with migraines and brain fog can be a difficult thing to manage. These conditions can negatively impact your daily tasks, personal goals, and relationships.
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the connection between the two a little better.
If you experience migraines, it is important to talk to your doctor about treatment options. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are many things that can be done to help manage the symptoms and make life easier.
If you want to learn more about clearing migraine brain fog naturally and improving your overall brain health, check out these helpful resources on our blog.