What Is Migraine?
Migraine is more than just a throbbing headache. When compared to other headache disorders, it’s a disabling neurological disease with unique symptoms and treatment options.
Migraine Common Signs and Symptoms
Migraine is accompanied by an aura.
You may notice light flashes, blind spots, shapes, or bright spots. Aura can also cause vision blurriness or loss. Aura usually appears before the attack’s head pain and disappears within an hour or less.
Episodic or chronic Migraine
Episodic migraine sufferers have 14 or fewer headache days per month. Chronic migraine sufferers have more than 15 headache days per month for three months or more, with at least eight of those containing migraine symptoms. Chronic migraine can develop if it is not recognized and treated properly.
Other symptoms-
- The Headache may be difficult to bear and even unbearable.
- Headaches can affect either on a single side or both sides. Some people get migraines in their eyes or around their eyes, as well as behind their cheeks.
- Physical activity or any movement makes head pain worse.
- You have nausea and vomiting, as well as a headache.
- Light, noise, and even smells irritate you.
- The duration of a headache can range from four hours to several days.
Causes of Migraine
Migraine is frequently caused by a hereditary link. It is a trait that runs in families. Migraine attacks can occur without warning. Everyone’s triggers are different, but there are a few that affect a large number of people
- Stress
- Specific foods
- Meal skipping
- Alcohol
- Changes in weather or barometric pressure
- Women’s hormonal changes
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
It’s more common in women than in men. This disease affects three times as many women as it does men as hormones are involved. When a girl gets her first period, she is more likely to start having attacks. Many women experience headaches when their estrogen levels fluctuate, such as before or during menstrual periods, pregnancy, or menopause. Oral contraceptives and other hormonal medications can aggravate migraines. Migraine is most common in women during their reproductive years.
What Is the Procedure for Diagnosing Migraine?
There’s no way to tell if your headaches are migraines with an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. They’ll need details about your head pain, how you’ve responded to current and previous treatments, and your family history. It also depends on how your headaches affect your day-to-day activities and quality of life. A comprehensive examination will also include a general medical and neurological examination. The only way for your doctor to know for sure is to speak with you.
Treatment for Migraine
There are two types of treatments for migraine which are primary-
1 Acute treatment
Patients take acute medications during a migraine attack to relieve pain and prevent the migraine from evolving.
2 Prevention treatment
Its goal is to reduce the number, severity, and duration of attacks.
Additional advice- Behavioral treatments like stress management and biofeedback can help to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Behavioral treatment is an important tool for disease management and can even be effective.