Migraine symptoms
Throbbing pain usually takes place on one side near the forehead, temples and eyes. Migraines can make you very sensitive to light, sound or mild exertion like climbing the stairs. Many people have nausea, vomiting or vision problems. The pain can be incapacitating, forcing people to miss work or other duties.
Migraine with mood
About 20% of people who suffer from migraines will have a feeling about 20-60 minutes before the pain. They may see flashing lights, wavy lines or dots or they may have blind spots or blurry vision. These are known as classic migraines.
Migraine warning signs
Some people may have a change in mood before a migraine starts. They may become more irritable or depressed. Others may notice a perception like a funny smell or taste. They may feel more fatigued, yawn frequently or experience muscle tension. Around 1 in 4 people encounter this prodrome phase which can take place as early as 24 hours before any headache.
What causes a migraine?
The exact cause of migraine is still not well understood but the problem is considered to be neurological (associated with the nervous system). It is believed that brain chemicals, blood vessels and nerves of the brain are involved.
Triggers
1. Flashing lights
Migraines may be set off by some specific cause such as flickering lights. This could be a reflection of light from fluorescent bulbs, from water or television or movie screens. Wearing polarizing sunglasses outside and utilizing daylight fluorescent bulbs inside may help.
2. Anxiety and stress
Emotional stress activates migraines. While it is impracticable to completely avoid stress, relaxation exercise can help you survive. Breathe in and out slowly, letting the air fill you up and then deflate like a balloon. Some people find that thinking of a friendly event or listening to choice music can help.
3. Lack of food or sleep
It is important for people susceptible to migraines to have a fixed arrangement of meals and sleep. Low blood sugar from skipping meals can trigger a migraine. Ingestion of excess sugar also can cause a spike, then a crash in blood sugar. Drink water throughout the day to avoid dehydration and sleep at least 6-8 hours a night.
4. Hormonal changes
For many women, migraines are connected to their menstrual cycle, taking place either a few days before or during their period when estrogen levels drop. Some women may gain from anti-inflammatory medication before their headaches begin or hormonal birth control such as pills etc. Others may have no benefits or worse migraines with hormonal birth control.
5. Headache foods
Migraine victims often report that some certain foods provoke their headaches. Common culprits include processed meat, red wine, cheese and soy sauce. However, scientific studies haven’t confirmed any particular food as a migraine trigger.
6. Tyramine
Very old, fermented and stored foods have higher levels of tyramine, a substance produced from the disintegration of the amino acid called tyrosine. Tyramine may cause blood vessels to constrict then expand and it may be an activator for some migraines. Some headache specialists advise limiting fermented or aged foods such as pickles, cheese and soy sauce.
Caffeine Issues
When combined with some pain medications, caffeine can help provide relief. Most migraine victims can drink a cup a day of coffee without any problems. However, too much caffeine can lead to headaches when the stimulant effects wear off.
Tracking personal triggers
Find out what triggers migraine by keeping a headache diary. Each time, you get a migraine, make a note about the warning signs, triggers and asperity. If you can find some of your personal triggers, you can avoid future headaches.
Who gets migraines?
According to studies, women are three times more likely to get migraines than men. If you have a close relative with migraines, you are much more likely to have them too. Experts believe that migraines may be connected to mutations in genes that affect certain brain centers. Migraines are also more common among people who have anxiety, epilepsy, stroke, depression, asthma, and some other neurologic and genetic problems.
Migraines in children
About 5% of the children with headache suffer from migraines. Boys and girls can get migraines although after puberty, they are more common among girls. Children may have manifestations apart from headache including stomach pain (abdominal migraine) or forceful emesis (cyclic vomiting). If young children become wobbly on their feet, pale and fussy or have uncontrolled eye movements or vomiting (emesis), they may have a form of migraine known as benign paroxysmal vertigo.
Treatment
1. Over-the-counter drugs
Combinations of common pain relievers and anti-inflammatories may help: ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen sodium, acetaminophen. Some have been prepared specially to treat migraines. However, overuse may make headaches intensify or may result in ulcers or other gastrointestinal problems.
2. Triptans
Triptans, the most common medication prescribed for migraines are most effective when administered early in an attack. Common triptans include Maxalt, Amerge, Zomig, Axert, Frova,Treximet, Imitrex and Relpax. People with stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease and other conditions may not take triptans. And because of likely severe drug interactions, ensure you talk to your doctor about other medications you take like antiseizure drugs or antidepressants. Adverse effects of triptans include nausea, dizziness, tingling, numbness and chest pain.
3. Ergotamines
If triptans don’t give you relief, your doctor may prescribe dihydroergotamine (Migranal) or ergotamines (migergot) as nasal sprays, tablets or injections. These drugs narrow the blood vessels and can cause dizziness, nausea, muscle pain or a bad taste in the mouth. They are not usually as effective as triptans and also have interactions with other drugs.
Effectiveness of treatment
After you have treated two or three headaches, ask yourself some questions. Are you getting the necessary relief you require? If not, you should ask your doctor about altering treatment. Be sure to take medications early in the attack- at least within two hour.
Limits of medication use
Overuse of medications can sometimes result in chronic headaches. You shouldn’t take prescribed medication more than two times per week. You can remove the chronic headaches by narrowing and discontinuing medication- under a doctor’s supervision. Pain drugs containing narcotics should be administered only when other medications has failed to relieve pain because they can be habit-forming.
Therapy
Preventive medication
You may need to take a drug daily to prevent attacks if migraines are severe. Drugs used to treat high blood pressure (HBP) can be prescribed for this purpose. They include calcium channel blockers and beta blockers. Several types of antidepressants can also be utilized to prevent migraine likewise anticonvulsants. Botox, which is ordinarily used to treat wrinkle can keep migraines at a distance for some people.
A benefit of aging
Most often times, migraines strike in the prime of life- within the ages of 20 and 60. While elderly people still get migraines, they often decrease in frequency and severity as they get older or even disappear entirely. Good management of migraines may assist you get rid of migraines for good.
When you require quick care
Any new headache that is unusually severe or last more than a couple of days should be checked by a doctor. It is also relevant to let your health care provider know if the style of headaches change-for example, if there are new triggers. If you have a headache occurring with fever, paralysis, stiff neck, confusion, seek emergency medical care.