A migraine is a common neurological disease that often comes with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities.
What are the symptoms of migraines?
The primary symptom of migraine is a headache. Pain is sometimes described as pounding or throbbing. It can begin as a dull ache that develops into pulsing pain that is mild, moderate or severe. If left untreated, your headache pain will become moderate to severe. Pain can shift from one side of your head to the other, or it can affect the front of your head, the back of your head or feel like it’s affecting your whole head. Some people feel pain around their eye or temporal, and sometimes in their face, sinuses, jaw or neck.
Other symptoms of migraine headaches include:
Sensitivity to light, noise and odors.
Nausea and vomiting, upset stomach and abdominal pain.
Loss of appetite.
Feeling very warm (sweating) or cold (chills).
Pale skin color (pallor).
Feeling tired.
Dizziness and blurred vision.
Tender scalp.
Diarrhea (rare).
Fever (rare).
Each phase of the migraine attack can come with different symptoms:
Prodrome symptoms:
Problems concentrating.
Irritability and/or depression.
Difficulty speaking and reading.
Difficulty sleeping. Yawning.
Nausea.
Fatigue.
Sensitivity to light and sound.
Food cravings.
Increased urination.
Muscle stiffness.
Aura symptoms:
Numbness and tingling.
Visual disturbances. You might be seeing the world as if through a kaleidoscope, have blurry spots or see sparkles or lines.
Temporary loss of sight.
Weakness on one side of the body.
Speech changes.
Headache symptoms:
Neck pain, stiffness.
Depression, giddiness and/or anxiety.
Sensitivity to light, smell and sound.
Nasal congestion.
Insomnia.
Nausea and vomiting.
Postdrome symptoms:
Inability to concentrate.
Depressed mood.
Fatigue.
Lack of comprehension.
Euphoric mood.
Causes :
A migraine headache is caused by abnormal brain activity. This activity can be triggered by many things. But the exact chain of events remains unclear. Most medical experts believe the attack begins in the brain and involves nerve pathways and chemicals. The changes affect blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues .Migraine headaches tend to first appear between the ages of 10 and 45. Sometimes, they begin earlier or later. Migraines may run in families. Migraines occur more often in women than men. Some women, but not all, have fewer migraines when they are pregnant.
Migraine triggers vary from person to person.
They commonly include:
bright lights
severe heat, or other extremes in weather
dehydration
changes in barometric pressure
hormone changes in people assigned female at birth, like estrogen and progesterone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause
excess stress
loud sounds
intense physical activity
skipping meals
changes in sleep patterns
use of certain medications, like oral contraceptives or nitroglycerin
unusual smells
certain foods
smoking
alcohol use
travelling
Migraine Types:
Menstrual migraine
Silent migraine and this kind is also known as an acephalgic migraine
Vestibular migraine
Abdominal migraine
Hemiplegic migraine
Ophthalmic migraine and this is also known as an ocular or retinal migraine
Ophthalmoplegic migraine
When to see a doctor for migraine?
If you suffer from migraines consistently, it's important to discuss your symptoms with a medical professional, such as a chiropractor or primary care physician.
Chiropractors can assess, diagnose, and manage headaches. Current evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including manual therapy, can be effective in treating cervicogenic and tension headaches. Studies have also shown that chiropractic care can help decrease the intensity and frequency of migraines. A chiropractor’s aim when treating migraines is to reduce pain and maximize neuro-musculoskeletal health.
Lifestyle changes are important because they can help limit your exposure to some of the triggers known to make migraine symptoms worse.
There are some lifestyle changes you can make to prevent migraines:
Stress management strategies, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and Reflexology, may reduce the number and severity of migraines. Reflexology techniques to teach you to control certain body functions, such as your heartbeat, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
Make a log of what seems to trigger your migraines. You can learn what you need to avoid, such as certain foods and medicines. It also help you figure out what you should do, such as establishing a consistent sleep schedule and eating regular meals.
Reflexology therapy may help some women whose migraines seem to be linked to their menstrual cycle
If you have obesity, losing weight may also be helpful
Comments