Migraines: A Physiological Upset

Why is the condition of chronic migraines so difficult to treat? Millions of men and women of all ages suffer from an intense headache that literally leaves them immobilized. A migraine headache is caused by an enlargement of blood vessels that creates a series of chemicals to be released and attack arteries in the brain. Once the chemicals have been released to wreak their havoc, the enlarging of the arteries begins to send painful symptoms that only magnifies until the arteries have stopped expanding or migraine relief has been found.

The pain associated with a migraine headache is so intense that a person becomes increasingly sensitive to light and sound which in return leaves them unable to function in an environment where light and noise are common occurrences. The increased sensitivity to light and sound makes it a challenge for one suffering from a migraine headache to function in their workplace effectively, when all they desire is a nice quiet dark place to lie down until the throbbing stops and sanity returns.

Migraines are unique and separate from headaches yet many people get the two confused. The difference does not lie only with the chemical changes but in other respects as well. In order to prevent misdiagnoses it would be wise for individuals that experience head pain to read up on the following criteria or differences between a headache and a migraine.

Differences Spelled Out

• A headache attacks quickly and with no warning where as  a migraine we learned has preemptive warning signs.
• Migraines can last up to three days headaches a few   hours.
• A headache though bothersome does not typically result   in a loss of productivity and the inability to function.
• Headaches feel more like a pulsing feeling inside your head;   migraines on the other hand tend to be felt only on one side of the head.
• A bout of irritability might occur with a headache but   typically resides after some over the counter medicine has been taken,   sadly those suffering with a migraine do not bounce back as quickly.
• Feelings of nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light and      sound are all characters of a migraine and will not be present with a      headache.

Most headaches are often short lived with no cause for concern there are times when a headache causes severe tension in the facial muscles putting a strain on the neck, shoulders eyes these headaches are called tension headaches and can be treated with over the counter medication. Some forty million people suffer with headaches throughout a given year making headaches a very common complaint, the concern is not that a headache has occurred but the frequency of the headache as well as the length in which the headache last

Migraine Symptoms

If you are still unsure as to what type of head pain you are enduring than the list below should give a little more insight on the various symptoms migraine patients endure when in the midst of a migraine attack.

• An intense throbbing, pounding feeling typically located on one side of the forehead
  • Pain can also generate in the back of the head
  • Pain can formulate right above one eye
  • The pain is often described as unilateral meaning the pain is typically felt or experienced on one side of the head.
    • Reports have shown that about one third of most migraine headaches are described as being felt on both sides of the head also referred to as bilateral.
    • The pain felt from the migraine on one side of the head can alternate to the other side of the head during the next migraine attack. If you frequent migraine attacks on the same side of the head please speak with your doctor immediately this could imply something more serious is occurring.
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Paleness
    • Coldness in the hands and feet
    • Sensitivity to light and sound

Migraine Treatment

Migraine treatment is a process that would need to be discussed with a medical professional. There are several different treatment options that a migraine sufferer can try in hopes of finding migraine relief. Treatment options would include the use of prescription medications as well as natural means like acupuncture, chiropractic care, therapy or herbal supplement.

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