Bad migraine headache are just one aspect of a migraine. This neurological condition may leave you bedridden for days due to excruciating throbbing pain. Movement, light, sound, and other stimuli may result in symptoms including brief loss of vision, irritation, trouble speaking, discomfort, nausea, and visual abnormalities.
What Is A Headache? What Sensations Does A Migraine Cause?
The most prominent symptom of a migraine, a common neurological condition, is a throbbing, pulsating headache on one side of the brain. Physical exertion, bright lights, loud noises, or strong odors will worsen your migraine. It might endure for days or at least four hours. 12% of Americans are thought to have this hereditary disease. According to research, it is the sixth most incapacitating illness in the world.
What Kinds Of Migraines Are There?
There are several varieties of migraines and multiple names may apply to the same type:
Aura-Accompanied Migraine
15% to 20% of sufferers with migraine headache also have an aura.
Known as a “common migraine,” a migraine without an aura occurs suddenly and without any prior warning. Even when that phase doesn’t happen, the symptoms remain the same.
Migraine Without A Headache
This kind is often referred to as a “silent migraine” or an “acephalgic migraine,” it has the aura symptom but without the headache that usually follows.
Hemiplegic Migraine
On one side of your body, you may have momentary paralysis (hemiplegia) or neurological or sensory function alterations. When a headache starts, you can experience transient numbness, acute weakness on one side of your body, tingling, a lack of feeling, dizziness, or eye changes. Sometimes, it comes with headaches; other times, it doesn’t.
Ocular migraine (retinal migraine): You may have a dull aching behind one of your eyes that may extend to the rest of your head, as well as temporary, partial, or whole loss of vision in that eye. The loss of eyesight might endure for a moment or many months. A retinal migraine should always be reported to a medical professional since it may indicate a more severe problem.
A migraine is considered chronic when it happens at least 15 days a month. Both the frequency of the symptoms and the intensity of the discomfort may vary. Unfortunately, using painkillers for headaches more than 10 to 15 days a month might make headaches much more common for those who suffer from chronic migraines.
- A brainstem aura during a migraine. Before the headache, you may have vertigo, slurred speech, double vision, or loss of balance with this migraine. The headache can impact the back of your head. These signs often appear out of the blue and may be accompanied by difficulty speaking, ringing in the ears, and vomiting.
- Migraine status. This severe and uncommon migraine may linger for more than 72 hours. Both the headache and the motion sickness may be pretty painful. You may have this form of migraine as a side effect of some drugs or after medication discontinuation.
What Are A Migraine’s Four Phases Or Stages?
The four phases in chronological sequence are the prodrome (premonitory), aura, headache, and postdrome. 30% of patients have symptoms before the onset of their headache.
Phases include:
- Prodrome: The first phase might last a few hours or even days. It may only occur sometimes, so you might not experience it. The “pre headache” or “premonitory” phase are other names for it.
- Aura: The aura phase may last for up to 60 minutes or just five minutes. Atmospheres are uncommon, and some individuals experience them with their headaches.
- Headache: The duration of the headache ranges from four to 72 hours. The pain is occasionally modest, so the term “ache” doesn’t give it credit. Instead, it’s more commonly characterized as drilling, throbbing, or feeling like an icepick in your brain. Usually, it begins on one side of your head, moves to the other, and then spreads.
- Postdrome: The postdrome phase lasts for one to two days. A migraine “hangover” is what it’s often referred to as, and 80% of migraine sufferers experience it.
SIGNIFICANCE AND CAUSES
What migraine signs and symptoms are there?
A headache is a migraine’s main symptom. Some people perceive pain as hammering or throbbing. It may start as a dull ache and progress to mild, moderate, or severe pulsating pain. Your headache discomfort may worsen if you don’t get treatment. In addition to hurting the front back or feeling like it’s impacting your whole head, the pain might move from one side of your head to the other. Some persons have discomfort in their face, sinuses, jaw, neck, or around their eyes or temples.
In addition to these, migraines may also cause:
- Sensitivity to smells, sounds, and light.
- Nausea, vomiting, an upset stomach, and discomfort in the abdomen.
- Decrease in appetite.
- Having chills or feeling very hot (sweating).
- Pallor, or light skin tone.
- Becoming worn out
- Unsteadiness and hazy eyesight.
- Sensitive scalp.
- Vomiting (rarely).
Although severe headaches might persist considerably longer, the average migraine lasts four hours.
What Causes Migraines?
Several causes may cause migraine attacks. Typical causes include:
- Psychological stress. One of the most frequent causes of migraine headache is emotional stress. As a result of stressful situations, the brain releases specific chemicals known as the “flight or fight” response to counter the threat. A migraine may develop as a result of these substances released. Other feelings like fear, anxiety, and excitement may tighten the muscles and widen the blood vessels. Your migraine can get worse as a result.
- Not eating a meal. Your migraine headache may also be brought on by skipping a meal.
- Sensitivity to certain dietary additives and preservatives. Up to 30% of migraines may be brought on by certain foods and drinks, including aged cheese, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, nitrates (in pepperoni, hot dogs, and luncheon meats), and fermented or pickled foods.
- Caffeine. Headaches may occur when one consumes too much caffeine or experiences caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine makes your blood vessels more sensitive; thus, headaches may happen if you don’t receive any. Healthcare professionals sometimes advise patients to use caffeine to treat severe migraine episodes, but it shouldn’t be taken regularly.
- Usage of painkillers regularly. A rebound headache might occur if you use headache medications too often.
- Female hormonal changes. Women are more likely to get migraines around the time of their monthly cycles. Migraines may be brought on by the sudden reduction in estrogen after menstruation. Birth control drugs and hormone replacement treatment may alter hormone levels. Since these estrogen fluctuations often don’t occur in young girls and post-menopausal women, migraines are usually worse between puberty and menopause. You could see a reduction in headaches during menopause if hormones significantly affect your migraines. Hormonal changes do not bring on male migraines.
- Light. Fluorescent lights, TV or computer screens, flashing lights, and sunshine may trigger your migraine
Other potential causes include:
- Storm fronts, variations in barometric pressure, high winds, or changes in altitude are examples of changing weather conditions.
- Overexertion.
- Eating poorly or needing more water.
- Alterations to your regular sleeping schedule
- Noisy sounds
- Exposure to odours such as smoking, perfume, or other smells
- Blood vessels enlarge as a result of several drugs
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
Diary For Migraines
Maintaining a migraine notebook is advantageous for you and your doctor regarding diagnosis. It would help to keep a complete and updated diary before, during, and after a migraine episode. Think about recording the following:
The time the migraine first appeared, particularly the onset of the prodrome, if you can recognise it—the passage of time. The aura phase started when? The migraine? the afternoon? Try to describe the stage you’re in as well as how long it lasts. You can predict what will happen if there is a pattern.
- What symptoms do you have? Be precise.
- Please take note of your stress level and how many hours you slept the night before it occurred. What is stressing you out?
- Consider the climate.
- Keep a food and liquid journal. Did you consume anything that caused the headache? Have you skipped a meal?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most significant pain you have ever felt, describe the pain you are experiencing.
- Where does the pain come from? Is your head on one side? Those jaws? Your vision?
- List each drug you have ever taken. This includes any supplements, everyday medications, and painkillers you have used.
- Did the methods you used to cure your headaches work? What medication did you take, how much, and when?
- Think of more triggers. Maybe you used the sun to play basketball? Perhaps you saw a movie with flashing lights? Are you having your period if you’re a woman?
If you want to use something other than pen and paper, you may use numerous smartphone applications to maintain a migraine notebook.
What Signs And Symptoms Must You Feel Before A Migraine?
Aura-accompanied migraine (complex migraine), plus:
- Vision loss or visual symptoms like spots, sparkles, or lines.
- Sensory problems (such as the sensation of pins and needles).
- Auraless migraine (common migraine). Typical migraines include a headache and:
- You felt discomfort on one side of your head throughout the episodes.
- At least five assaults have occurred, each lasting four to 72 hours.
- Additionally, at least one of the following has occurred to you:
- Vomiting and nauseous.
- You dislike lights or avoid them.
- You find noises annoying and avoid them.
CONTROL AND TREATMENT
How Are Headaches Handled?
Chronic migraine headache occur. Although they cannot be healed, they may be controlled and perhaps even become better. Abortive and preventative are the two primary medication-based therapy modalities.
The first indication of a migraine is when you should take an abortive drug for maximum effectiveness. Take these as soon as the discomfort subsides. Abortive medications assist in halting or lessening your migraine symptoms, such as pain, nausea, and light sensitivity, by potentially terminating the headache process. Some contraceptive drugs relieve the pounding discomfort by tightening your blood vessels, restoring them to normal.
When your headaches are severe, occur more than four times per month, and severely interfere with your daily activities, preventive (prophylactic) drugs may be administered. Preventative drugs lessen both the frequency and intensity of headaches. To help prevent migraines, medications are often used on a regular, daily basis.
What Drugs Are Used To Treat Migraine Pain?
Some patients with mild to severe migraines might find relief with over-the-counter drugs. Ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, and caffeine are the critical components of painkillers.
When using over-the-counter painkillers, use caution. Taking them excessively might result in headaches from analgesic-rebound or a dependence issue. Inform your healthcare practitioner if you use any over-the-counter painkillers more often than twice or three times each week. They could make recommendations for more potent prescription drugs.
Among the prescription medications for migraines are:
Drugs in the triptan class (also known as abortives)
- Sumatriptan
- Zolmitriptan
- Naratriptan
Blockers of calcium channels
- Verapamil
- Monoclonal antibodies to the calcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP)
- Erenumab
- Fremanezumab
- Galcanezumab
- Eptinezumab
Beta blocker
- Atenolol
- Propranolol
- Nadolol
Antidepressants
- Amitriptyline
- Nortriptyline
- Doxepin
- Venlafaxine
- Duloxetine
Anti-epileptic medications
- Valproic acid
- Topiramate
Other
- Steroids
- Phenothiazines
- Corticosteroids
Your doctor could suggest specific vitamins, minerals, or plants, such as:
- Vitamin B2 riboflavin
- Magnesium
- Feverfew
- Butterbur
- Coenzyme Q10
Many different drug formulations are available to treat migraine pain, including pills, tablets, injections, suppositories, and nasal sprays. Your healthcare practitioner and you will talk about the precise medicine, medication combinations, and formulations that best treat your particular headache discomfort.
PREVENTION
Can You Avoid Migraine Headache?
Although there is no known treatment for migraines, you may actively manage them by using the following advice to decrease perhaps how often you have them and possibly even manage how severe they are:
- Keep a headache journal. List any meals and other potential triggers contributing to your migraine attack. Change your diet and try to avoid those triggers as much as possible.
- Obtain CGRP monoclonal antibodies on a prescription. The purpose of this injection is to treat migraines.
- Sleep for seven to nine hours every night.
- Eat regularly spaced apart. Avoid skipping meals. Take in a lot of water.
- Regularly work out and keep a healthy weight.
- Learn stress-reduction practices like yoga, meditation, relaxation training, or mindful breathing.