Headache & Migraine

Other forms of migraine.

In addition to classic and common, migraine headache can take several other forms:

Hemiplegic Migraine

Patients with hemiplegic migraine have temporary paralysis on one side of the body, a condition known as hemiplegia. Some people may experience vision problems and vertigo - a feeling that the world is spinning. These symptoms begin 10 to 90 minutes before the onset of headache pain.

What Are Migraine Headaches?

The most common type of vascular headache is migraine. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach, and at times disturbed vision.

Former basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remembers experiencing his first migraine at age 14. The pain was unlike the discomfort of his previous mild headaches.

When Should You See a Physician?

Not all headaches require medical attention. Some result from missed meals or occasional muscle tension and are easily remedied. But some types of headache are signals of more serious disorders, and call for prompt medical care. These include:

• Sudden, severe headache
• Sudden, severe headache associated with a stiff neck
• Headache associated with fever