Which sequence correctly describes the order of migraine stages as prodrome, aura, pain, and postdrome?

Which sequence correctly describes the order of migraine stages as prodrome, aura, pain, and postdrome?

• A. Prodrome, Aura, Pain (Ictus), Postdrome
• B. Aura, Prodrome, Pain (Ictus), Postdrome
• C. Prodrome, Pain (Ictus), Aura, Postdrome
• D. Prodrome, Aura, Pain (Ictus), Postdrome

Answer: (D)

Migraine typically progresses through a warning phase, then a sensory/neurological phase if present, followed by the headache, and finally a recovery phase. The prodrome is the early sign set that can appear hours to days before the headache, with symptoms like mood changes, fatigue, yawning, or neck stiffness. If an aura is present, it usually follows the prodrome and consists of focal neurologic symptoms such as visual disturbances (seeing zigzag lines or blind spots), sensory changes, or speech difficulties, often building gradually and lasting minutes. The main pain phase, or ictus, is the actual migraine headache—often unilateral, throbbing, and worsened by movement, commonly accompanied by nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia. After the headache subsides, the postdrome phase can leave you drained or cognitively foggy for a day or so. Therefore, the sequence prodrome → aura → pain (ictus) → postdrome reflects the typical progression of migraine stages. Keep in mind that not everyone experiences every phase, and aura can be absent or occur independent of prodrome, but this order is the classic pattern when these stages are present.

Migraine typically progresses through a warning phase, then a sensory/neurological phase if present, followed by the headache, and finally a recovery phase. The prodrome is the early sign set that can appear hours to days before the headache, with symptoms like mood changes, fatigue, yawning, or neck stiffness. If an aura is present, it usually follows the prodrome and consists of focal neurologic symptoms such as visual disturbances (seeing zigzag lines or blind spots), sensory changes, or speech difficulties, often building gradually and lasting minutes. The main pain phase, or ictus, is the actual migraine headache—often unilateral, throbbing, and worsened by movement, commonly accompanied by nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia. After the headache subsides, the postdrome phase can leave you drained or cognitively foggy for a day or so.

Therefore, the sequence prodrome → aura → pain (ictus) → postdrome reflects the typical progression of migraine stages. Keep in mind that not everyone experiences every phase, and aura can be absent or occur independent of prodrome, but this order is the classic pattern when these stages are present.