For many migraineurs, the headaches they experience do not always feel the same. At times one may feel a dull, generalized headache that occurs with aura. At other times, the migraine may be felt on one side of the head, but it throbs, and nausea and vomiting are also present. John Rothrock, MD at the University of Alabama explains that the symptoms of migraine can vary for each person, and that there may be a progression of symptoms with each attack. Consequently, if migraine is allowed to advance unchecked it can become tougher to treat.
Stopping the headache in the early stages or “right away” can be most effective. However, for many people, headaches may escalate even with early intervention, and additional therapy may be needed. For others a “full-blown” headache may appear after waking up… consequently the therapy used may be again different.
As Dr. Rothrock suggests, the concept of “stratified” care acknowledges there is a dynamic nature to migraine… that each attack can evolve and build into a more severe attack. By selecting a therapy based upon the intensity and symptoms, you will hopefully be able to better control your migraine attacks…. Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain January, 2012