CHRONIC EVERYDAY MIGRAINES

DEFINITION OF A MIGRAINE
We all undergo a headache at one time or another but not everyone has a migraine headache. When we get stressed or tense we tend to experience a tension headache or when we get exhausted either physically or mentally we develop headaches that given the circumstances are relatively quite normal when compared to a genuine migraine headache.

Migraines are divided into two classifications: one with aura and one without aura. They are described as a neurological disorder causing chronic pain anywhere from 2 to 72 hours with the average lasting around 4 hours. In severe cases the migraine can last up to a week. The pain is usually throbbing or pulsating and generally appears on one side of the head or behind the eyes. The pain can range from mild to downright debilitating. Some people are quite disabled and suffer greatly. Migraines can occur weekly, monthly or everyday as some people can testify.

SYMPTOMS OF MIGRAINE HEADACHE
Besides the pain other symptoms accompany this syndrome such as insomnia. Some people can’t find deep restorative sleep and others sleep only to be awakened with an intense headache. This sets the stage for fatigue and exhaustion to occur and with those two additional symptoms comes irritability, mood swings and cognitive difficulties in thinking and problem solving, along with behavior complications. You might say it’s a domino effect when you can’t get your sleep.

Sometimes vomiting and nausea develops with the migraine. You really don’t have any control over it. Still another symptom is the hypersensitivity to loud sounds like firecrackers or gunfire. Bright flashing lights like a strobe light as well as strong smells can also induce a migraine if not careful.

These annoying headaches are generally thought to be genetically or environmentally produced. Many people have a familial history of migraine, making their chances of having a migraine higher than a normal person. Millions of people suffer these headaches of which more women than men have them. No age is exempt and to make matters worse there is no exact cure for it.

MIGRAINE TRIGGERS
It is difficult to pinpoint the cause of a migraine; however, one can study what might be a trigger to bring it on. By keeping a journal or diary an individual can write down details surrounding all the activities engaged in, all the foods eaten or found around with, the environment such as where did you go and the weather there about. Also be sure to keep accurate details of the time of day and the sounds, smells and visual light encountered. You would be surprised of how all these “little things” count when it comes down to migraines. Any stresses in your life as well as other traumatic or emotional upheavals are also worth writing about. Keeping a journal is one way to study what might bring on a migraine for you because not all patients suffer the same kind of migraine and certainly no two have all the same triggers.

Believe it or not, chocolate is the primary culprit when it comes to triggers while other certain foods containing nitrates and MSG, which are found in processed meats, caffeine, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners are well known triggers. Foods with tyramine found in aged cheeses and soy products, smoked fish and Chianti wine should also be avoided when possible. Who knows, there might be foods not on any list that might trigger a migraine for you. That’s why a journal is so important.

TYPES OF MIGRAINES
There are many types of migraines:

• Basilar artery
• Hemiplegic
• Menstrual
• Ophthalmoplegic
• Retinal
• Hormonal (pregnancy or menopause)

Some migraines display a sort of early warning sign called an aura which manifests itself as visionary distortions or wavy lines and blind spots. The migraine usually follows the aura which disappears when the migraine starts.

HOW DO MIGRAINES AFFECT PEOPLE?
The effects these headaches have on people can be shocking. Some are so totally disabled because of the everyday pain that loss of a job and means to support one’s self becomes life altering. Family life suffers greatly because of the inability to enjoy simple outings or activities due to the required rest given the onset of a chronic migraine. Depression and anxiety makes for a poor attitude towards life and frustration or even anger toward the doctors are not uncommon with severe migraines suffered on daily basis. I can’t imagine how it is to have head pain every day.
There is some hope, however, and seeking a support group would be the best way to share your experiences and perhaps learn of ways to cope with this disorder or other ways of relief. One thing for sure is to find pain relief as fast as possible. Medication, exercise, diet, meditation or acupuncture should be explored. Just remember there is no quick fix and methods should be on a trial by error basis, after all what may work for you might not work for another.

Tags: chronic condition, difficulty sleeping, head pain, living with migraines, migraine attack, Migraines, severe pain, tender spots