Many people associate migraines with severe headaches, but the first symptoms can appear long before the pain begins, Express reports.
According to the NHS, some people may experience fatigue, increased thirst, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, neck stiffness, or more frequent urination before a migraine attack develops.
This means the body may send warning signals of a migraine several hours, or even days, before the headache begins.
What happens?
Neurologist Jessica Lowe told Express that a part of the brain called the hypothalamus becomes active early in a migraine attack.
This region is responsible for regulating sleep, appetite, body temperature, and hormone production, among other functions.
According to Jessica Lowe, brain scans show that this part of the brain can become active before the pain begins.
This may explain why many people experience a range of symptoms before the headache sets in.
An overlooked symptom
Many people believe that a migraine attack only begins once the headache starts.
However, Jessica Lowe explains that the headache is only one part of the condition.
One of the most commonly overlooked signs may be repeated yawning without any obvious reason.
According to Jessica Lowe, for some people this can be one of the earliest indications that a migraine attack has already begun.
Her assessment is based on her review of the available research and is consistent with NHS guidance on the early symptoms of migraine.
