Types of Migraine

Migraine without aura is the most common type of migraine. According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, migraine without aura is a recurrent headache disorder manifesting in attacks lasting 4 to 72 hours. Typical characteristics of the headache are unilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate or severe intensity, aggravation by routine physical activity and association with nausea and/or photophobia and phonophobia.

Migraine with aura is the second most common type of migraine. Up to a third of patients experience an aura, consisting of focal neurological symptoms, usually visual, either before or concurrently with the development of the headache.
A recurrent disorder, migraine with aura manifests in attacks of reversible neurological symptoms. Theses symptoms usually develop gradually over 5 to 20 minutes and last for less than 60 minutes. Symptoms may involve visual disturbance, such as loss of vision or the appearance of flickering lights, spots, or lines, tactile disturbance including the sensation of pins and needles or numbness, or speech disturbance.