Suffer From Migraines?

There are many types of headaches but the most debilitating one of the lot is the migraine headache. Migraines are characterized by intense throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head. Along with the pain, these headaches can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, smells, and sounds. Sometimes the pain is so great that all you think about doing is finding a quiet, dark place in which to deal with it. Some migraines can be preceded by sensory warning symptoms, called aura, that present themselves as flashing lights, blind spots, or tingling in your arm or leg.

Stages and Symptoms of Migraine

Migraines often start in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. They progress through four stages – prodrome, aura, attack, and postdrome, although you may not experience all four stages.

• Prodrome – One or two days before a migraine hits, you may notice subtle changes in your body that signal a migraine is coming. These include constipation, depression, diarrhea, food cravings, hyperactivity, neck stiffness, and irritability.
• Aura – Most people experience migraines without aura. Auras are usually visual but can be sensory, motor, or speech disturbances. Each aura builds gradually, and can last from 10 to 30 minutes. Examples of aura include visual phenomena such as bright lights, wiggly lines, bright spots, and flashes of light. They can also be blind spots or a pins and needles feeling in the arms or legs. Speech problems are also a type of aura.
• Attack – Untreated migraines can last from four to 72 hours. The duration and intensity varies from person to person.
• Postdrome – This stage occurs after the migraine when you feel washed out and drained. Some people have the opposite effect and feel mildly euphoric.

The symptoms of migraine headache include:

• Pain on one side of the head
• Pain that has a throbbing or pulsing quality
• Sensitivity to lights, sounds, and sometimes smells
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Diarrhea
• Lightheadedness, sometimes followed by fainting

Causes of Migraine

Although there is still much to be learned about migraines, genetics and environment play a role in their occurrence. Migraines are caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Imbalances in brain chemicals like serotonin, which inhibits pain, may also play a part. Serotonin levels are low in migraine patients.

When to See a Doctor

A lot of migraines go undiagnosed and untreated. If you experience migraines frequently, start keeping a journal of when you get them and how you treat them. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your headaches and possible treatments. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor right away or go immediately to the emergency room as these signs and symptoms may signal a more serious condition.

• A severe, abrupt headache like a thunderclap
• Headache with fever, rash, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, trouble speaking, or numbness
• Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
• A chronic headache that gets worse after exertion, coughing, straining, or sudden movement
• New headache pain if you are older than 50 years old

Migraine Triggers

There are certain foods, sounds, smells, activities, or environmental conditions that may actually help bring on a migraine headache. These are known as triggers because they help start or trigger your migraine. Common triggers include:

• In women, hormonal changes like changes in the estrogen levels can cause what is called menstrual migraines.
• Foods like aged cheeses, alcohol, beer, red wine, chocolate, overuse of caffeine, and some artificial ingredients like MSG and aspartame are common offenders.
• Skipping meals and fasting can also trigger migraine headaches.
• Sensory stimuli like flashing lights, bright lights, and sun glare can induce migraines.
• Loud sounds, unusual smells, unpleasant odors, and second-hand smoke can also trigger migraines.
• Stress from work or home can be a trigger.
• Changes in sleep pattern can bring on a migraine. Jet lag, lack of sleep, or too much sleep can be the culprit.
• Intense physical exertion and certain medications can also trigger migraines.

Home Remedies

Although there are several medication you can get to help decrease frequency and relieve symptoms of migraine, many people prefer using home-based remedies to keep from the side effects of medicines. Here are some things you can do at home to help combat migraine headaches.

• Try muscle relaxation exercises – use muscle relaxation techniques, meditation, or yoga to help relieve stress. Listen to beautiful music and close your eyes to relax.
• Get enough sleep, but don’t oversleep – The average adult needs six to eight hours of sleep every night. It also helps to go to bed and wake up at regular times.
• Rest and relax – If you feel a migraine coming, try to go to a quiet, dark place and rest. Use cold packs on the back of your neck and apply gentle pressure to the painful areas of your scalp.
• Keep a headache diary – Continue to keep a diary of your headaches so you will learn more about what triggers your headaches and what treatments work for you.
• Seek out alternative treatments – Acupuncture, acupressure, and massage are just a few of the alternative treatments that can help with migraines.

Medication can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines but it may take several different types of medicines before you find the one that works for you. Your doctor will help guide you through this. He or she may also suggest alternative treatments, self-help remedies, and lifestyle changes that can make a difference of frequency and severity of migraine headaches.

Tags: aura, headache, migraine stages, migraine treatment, Migraines, postdrome, prodrome, stages of migraines