A Walk Through The Average Migraine

The title of this article could be somewhat offending by the person who suffers from migraine headaches, since nothing about migraine headaches can be considered “average”. However, for those who do not understand what takes place during the typical occurrences of migraine headaches this article can be very informational and help others (like loves ones, friends, and co-workers) to more fully understand exactly what happens during migraine headaches. There are specific risk factors, warning signs, triggers, as well as stages that take place during the “average” migraine headaches.

Risk Factors

Migraine headaches can happen to any individual but there are certain risk factors that play a part in increasing the likelihood of having a migraine.

• Family History. Studies have shown that up to 90 percent of people with migraines have a family history of them and says that those individuals that come from a family history of migraine sufferers will most likely also be at risk of suffering from chronic migraines.
• Age. During childhood, migraines are less frequent. Studies have shown that most people will experience their first migraine during adolescence, and by age 40 most people who will suffer from migraines will have already had their first attack.
• Gender. It is a commonly known fact that more females than males tend to be migraine suffers. Hormonal changes seem to play a very large role in the case of migraines. During childhood or adolescents, the occurrences of migraines between sexes were not that different but a drastic increase in migraine headaches in females become apparent as they neared adolescence. The reason behind this statistic seems to reside in the case of estrogen, its levels, and its effects on migraines.
• Medical Issues. Individuals who are have medical issues such as depression, anxiety; stroke, epilepsy and high blood pressure are more susceptible to migraines than people who have not suffered with any of the listed medical concerns.

Warning Signs

The best form of prevention for migraine headaches comes in knowing the particular warning signs associated with a migraine before an attack takes place.  Migraine triggers vary within individuals and especially differ when it comes to males versus females. When individuals take note of the most common symptoms that precursor migraines such as; Fatigue, Depression, Obsessive Yawning, Food Cravings (especially ones high in sugar or salt), Mood Changes, Irritability, and Drowsiness, they may in fact be able to recognize their personal warning signs and be able to stop the migraine headaches before they starts.

Triggers

Triggers often begin with a specific source (of combination) such as physical, environmental, or physiological causes.  Just like the warning signs it is also beneficial to those who are seeking relief from migraine headaches to also know their personal triggers.  Some of the most common triggers seem to be hormones, lighting, certain foods, caffeine, and stress. Of course the list of triggers will vary among individuals, and those listed are not exclusive, this is why it is important for individuals to journal their symptoms and environments before, during, and after a migraine attack in order that they might be able to find the best possible treatment for migraine headaches to meet their specific needs.

Migraine Stages

To more fully understand migraine headaches it is important to understand that that are four different stages or phases that take place during migraine headaches.

1. 1.      Prodrome – this is the first of the migraine stages. Symptoms that occur during the prodrome stage will typically appear one to two days before the actual migraine headaches occur.  Symptoms most commonly appearing in the prodrome phase include constipation, depression, diarrhea, food cravings (especially those that are high in sugar or salt), hyperactivity, irritability, as well as neck or back stiffness.  Although some sufferers of migraine headaches may experience the opposite and have symptoms of giddiness, happiness, or be full of energy during the prodrome stage.
2. 2.      Aura – the second of the migraine stages, the aura stage, is generally defined as being visual in nature but can also involve sensory, motor, as well as verbal disturbances. The aura stage usually begins gradually but will build over time and most commonly lasts anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Some of the symptoms associated with the aura stage include Visual occurrences (such as seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light), loss of vision, sensations including pins and needles (usually in the arms or legs), as well as speech or language problems. The aura stage, or more specifically actually seeing auras is a stage that is felt in different levels by sufferers of migraine headaches, and some individuals do not necessarily “notice” the presence of auras but are more sensitive to light and/or sound.
3. 3.      Attack – the third of the migraine stages is the attack stage. This is the stage where the most pain and discomfort is felt by the individual. Symptoms of the attack stage include pain in the head (usually unilaterally and often either pulsating or throbbing in nature), sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes even smells, Nausea, Vomiting, Blurred Vision, Diarrhea, Lightheadedness, as well as sometimes even fainting. The attack stage usually peaks and then will subside lasting anywhere from 2 – 71 hours in adults or 1-48 hours in children.
4. 4.      Postdrome – This is the fourth and final of the migraine headaches stages. In this stage individuals usually have symptoms or feelings of being drained or washed out, report impaired thinking or concentration, and they can experience tenderness in the head, neck, as well as the stomach. Other symptoms that can be felt during the final of the migraine headaches stages is gastrointestinal symptoms, mood changes, and even weakness.

Tags: aura, Chronic migraine, enlarged blood vessels, headache, Migraine Medication, migraine relief, migraine stages, Migraine Support Formula, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, Migraines, postdrome, prodrome