Struggling with migraine headaches can be extremely painful and frustrating, especially if you don’t know what type of migraine you were dealing with. Not all headaches are created equal and bring about the same symptoms. Knowledge is power when it comes to managing migraine pain.
A Painful Variety
Abdominal Migraine
This type of migraine typically occurs in children with a family history of migraines. They often go on to be diagnosis with migraines later in life. An abdominal migraine attack consists of reoccurring bouts of moderate to severe abdominal pain last from one to 72 hours. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, paleness, and loss of appetite. Traditional migraine medications and anti-nausea pills can be used with children to relieve the discomfort experienced with these attacks.
Basilar Migraine
Generating from the sufferers brain stem, this is a very rare type of migraine that is accompanied by an aura. Most commonly occurring in young adults, the Basilar migraine can cause vertigo (extreme dizziness and disturbed equilibrium) and loss of consciousness during an attack. Other symptoms may include slurred speech, hearing changes, double vision, and lose of balance. Often people experiencing a basilar migraine are thought to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Women ages 20-35 appear to experience this type of migraine more than any other group.
Classic Migraine
This type of migraine is more commonly known as a migraine with aura. Along with the severely painful and pulsating headache, sufferers experience sensory and visual difficulties, such as seeing dark spots, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and/or numb and tingling sensation. Classic migraines account for 20% of all migraine headaches and typically last four to 72 hours.
Hemiplegic Migraine
A very rare and dangerous type of migraine, the Hemiplegic migraines mimics a stroke or epileptic type symptoms. Most sufferers are admitted to the hospital with this particular type of migraine, due to continued muscular weakness in the limbs for up to a week following an attack. A genetic chromosomal abnormality is to blame for the severity of this type of headache. A physician must be consulted when dealing with Hemiplegic migraines.
Nocturnal Migraine
The one time of day when we wish to slow down and rest of weary bodies, is often the perfect time of attack. Nocturnal migraines appear in the middle of the night or early morning hours, often waking the sufferer from their sleep. Researchers believe that this type of migraine is caused by a change in neurotransmitters in the brain when you go to sleep. The best treatment for nocturnal migraines is to simply elevate the upper body, relax and try to return to sleep.
Ophthalmoplegic Migraine
Ophthalmoplegic migraines are considered to be an extremely rare and unusual type of migraine. It is believed that these headaches are caused by pressure on the nerves behind the eye. As a result, the muscles surrounding the eye become weak and an intense pressure and throbbing pain surround the eyeball and can last from a few days to a few months. During these episodes, sufferers could experience blurred or double vision and dizziness. Children experience these types of migraines twice as often as adults. A specific treatment option is still in progress for these headaches.
Treatment & Prevention
When dealing with chronic headaches, always seek the support of a licensed medical practitioner. They will be able to properly diagnose the type of migraine and prepare an appropriate treatment plan. Following the suggested management plan will help to ease the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes. Numerous alternative therapies are available to reduce migraine occurrence, but always discuss plans of participating in these therapies with a physician, to ensure your body is healthy enough and that they will not have an adverse effect on current treatment. While a cure for migraines has not been found, being aware of triggers and the body’s reaction to stress can be helpful in working through migraines and naturally reducing the number of episodes you may experience. It may be helpful to keep a journal to document things such as food, events, headaches, unusual symptoms, and even how you are feeling each day. These things can help you identify possible triggers that need to be avoided in order to properly handle migraine attacks.
Tags: headaches, migraine attacks, migraine treatment, Migraines, side effects, symptoms, treating migraines, vascular headachce
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