What is Migraine?
A complicated neurological illness with a hereditary component, migraine is typified by episodes of moderate-to-severe headaches, usually unilateral, sometimes accompanied by nausea and increased sensitivity to light and sound. The Greek term “hemikrania”, which was later translated into Latin as “hemigranea”, is where the name “migraine” originates. The term migraine is the French version.
There is more to migraine than just a terrible headache. Although each individual experiences migraines differently, recurring headaches are a common symptom. They may also include light, sound, and smell sensitivities, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, and excessive fatigue. During a migraine episode, these symptoms may occur simultaneously, or they may occur one after the other. It might be difficult to carry out daily tasks during migraine episodes, which can last anywhere from a few hours to many days. Moderate to severe throbbing pain, typically on one side of the head, is one of the most typical signs of a migraine episode.
According to recent studies, this type of headache is caused by aberrant nerve activity vascular changes and certain chemical signals. The episodes of migraine occur in several phases, starting with a prodrome of sensitivity to light and sound and even nausea, followed by an Aura which can have several signs such as floaters or black outs, then the headache and lastly postdrome.
Who is more susceptible to migraines and what are its triggers?
The likelihood that someone may get a migraine depends on several factors. Both adults and children can have migraines. Children who are unable to articulate their difficulties may exhibit signs such as light and noise sensitivity. For instance, kids could stop playing to lie down in a dark place, or they might refuse to use the internet or watch television. Adult females are more likely than males to suffer from migraine. One significant factor contributing to this discrepancy appears to be hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Compared to the general population, migraineurs are more likely to suffer from sleep difficulties and mental health issues including anxiety and depression.
Irregular sleep cycles, stressful lifestyle, long hours between meals, food containing tyramines and preservatives, exposure to loud noises, bright lights are all factors that trigger these headaches.
The treatment of migraine
The primary and most sustainable treatment is the avoidance of triggers and incorporating lifestyle modifications. Each person who suffers from migraine headaches, should maintain a log of various factors that tend to trigger his or her pain, and must make a conscious effort to avoid the same, such as specific food products, preservatives, loud noises, flickering lights, strong odours being some of the common ones.
Maintaining good sleep cycle with adequate hydration and regular diet habits also reduces migraine risks. Reducing the stress in one’s lifestyle and indulging in meditation and performing exercises or yoga is highly beneficial. Drugs are primarily used to treat acute episodes, but their prolonged use can cause renal and hepatic side effects.
- Your migraines are severe or getting worse, or lasting longer than usual.
- You have migraines more than once a week.
- You’re finding it difficult to control your migraines.
- You have a headache that came on suddenly and is extremely painful.
- You have problems speaking or remembering things.
- You lose your vision or have blurred or double vision.
- You feel drowsy or confused.
- You have a seizure or fit.
- You have a very high temperature and symptoms of meningitis.
- You cannot move or have weakness in the arms or legs on 1 side of your body, or 1 side of your face.