Migraine and Light Sensitivity: Symptoms and Stages

Migraine is a complex neurological condition that occurs in four distinct stages and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light or sound.

The first stage, known as the "prodrome" or early warning, begins 24 to 48 hours before the attack. During this stage, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain regulating sleep, mood, appetite, and temperature, becomes abnormally active. This can cause difficulty concentrating, mood swings, irritability, cravings for certain foods, or sleep disturbances. Recognizing these signs allows early intervention before symptoms worsen.

The second stage may involve visual auras, such as flashing lights, blind spots, or moving, zigzag patterns, and can also include sensory symptoms like numbness or speech difficulties in some cases. Researchers suggest a phenomenon called "cortical spreading depression," a slow wave of electrical activity across the brain, plays a role during this stage.

The third stage is the headache itself, typically the most intense, lasting 4 to 72 hours if untreated. Headaches are often pulsating, usually on one side of the head, and may include nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Multiple brain networks are activated during this stage, including the trigeminal nerve, which senses facial pain. The protein CGRP is released, a target for modern migraine therapies.