What is migraine headache? I have constant headache, what to do?
Hello! My dear ladies! I’m sure that some or the other time in your life, you might have experienced a killer headache without any particular reason or might still do but don’t know why it happens. Well, have you ever thought that it might because you are suffering from Migraine? So, yes this might be a cause, and just like you many others don’t know that they are getting headache because they suffer from Migraine. Hence, it is extremely important for us to know about what is Migraine, symptoms and cause, so that you can differentiate and tell what causes you a headache.
What is Migraine?
A migraine is a headache that can cause severe pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. Migraine is quite often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and severe sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine headaches can take hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities.
For some people, a warning sign known as an aura occurs before or with a headache. An aura can include visual disturbances, such as flashbacks or blind spots, or other disturbances, such as sloping on one side of the face or arm or leg and difficulty speaking.
Although, medications can help prevent some migraines and make them less painful. Appropriate medications, combined with self-medication and lifestyle changes, can help.
What are the symptoms of Migraine?
Migraines, affecting children and adolescents as well as adults, can progress to four stages: prodrome, aura, attack and post-drome. Not everyone with migraines goes through all the stages.
Prodrome
A day or two before migraines, you may notice subtle changes that warn of an impending migraine, including:
Constipation
Emotions change, from depression to happiness
Food cravings
Neck stiffness
Increased urination
Liquid retention
Yawning constantly
Aura
For some people, the aura may occur before or during migraines. Auras is a reversible sign of a nervous system. They are usually visible but may include other distractions. Each symptom usually begins gradually, builds up in a few minutes and can last for 60 minutes.
Examples of migraine auras include:
Visual events, such as seeing different scenarios, bright spots or light rays
Loss of vision
Pins and needles on arms or leg
Feeling of weakness or numbness in the face or on one side of the body
Difficulty speaking
Attack
Migraine usually lasts 4 to 72 hours if left untreated. How often migraines occur varies from person to person. Migraine may occur spontaneously or strike several times a month.
During a migraine, you may be:
The pain is usually on one side of your head, but usually on both sides
A sharp pain or tingling
Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch
Nausea and vomiting
Post-drome
After a migraine attack, you may feel tired, confused, and irritable for a day.
Some people report feeling happy.
Sudden headaches may cause pain again for a while.
What are the causes of Migraine?
Although the various causes of migraine are not fully understood, genetics and environmental factors appear to play a role.
Changes in the brainstem and its interaction with the trigeminal nerve, a major pathway to pain, may be involved. So there may be an imbalance in brain chemicals - including serotonin, which helps control pain in your nervous system.
Researchers are also studying the role of serotonin in migraines. Other neurotransmitters play a role in migraine pain, including genetically related calcitonin peptide (CGRP).
Some of the most common Migraine triggers:
There are many types of migraine triggers including:
Hormonal changes in women - Estrogen fluctuations, such as before or during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, appear to cause headaches for many women.
Hormonal medications - such as birth control pills, can also increase migraines. However, some women find that their migraines occur less frequently when taking these medications.
Drinks - These include alcohol, especially wine, and a lot of caffeine, such as coffee.
Depression - Stress at work or at home can cause migraines.
Nerve motives - Bright or bright lights can cause migraines, as there may be loud noises.
Strong odours - such as perfumes, paint detergents, cigarette smoke, and so on - cause the frustration of some.
Sleep changes - Sleep deprivation or excessive sleepiness can cause migraine in some people.
Physical factors - Excessive physical activity, which includes sex, can cause migraines.
The climate is changing - Climate change or barometric pressure can cause migraines.
Medications - Oral contraceptives and vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin, can exacerbate migraines.
Food - Older cheeses and salty foods and processed foods can cause migraines. So food may be skipped.
Dietary supplements - These include sweet aspartame and preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG), which are found in many foods.
Alright! Now that you know what is migraine, its causes and symptoms, so now let’s have a look at what can be done in order to stop having headaches regularly.
Avoid triggers - Keeping a diary of a headache can help you identify what is causing your headaches so you can avoid the things that are causing you. Include details of every headache, such as when it started, what you were doing at the time and how long it lasted.
Avoid overdosing - Taking headache medications, including over-the-counter medications, more than twice a week can increase the size and frequency of your headache. Talk to your doctor about how to get rid of the medication as it can have serious side effects if done in the wrong way.
Get proper sleep – An average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep every night. It is best to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Talk to your doctor if you have sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
Do not skip meals - Eat healthy at the same times each day. Avoid foods or beverages, such as those that contain caffeine, which appear to cause headaches. Lose weight if you are overweight.
Exercise regularly - Regular aerobic exercise can improve your physical and mental well-being and reduce stress. Consistent with your doctor, choose activities that you enjoy - such as walking, swimming or cycling. To avoid injury, start small.
Reduce stress - Depression is a common cause of chronic headaches. Edit. Keep your schedule simple. Plan ahead. Stay optimistic. Try various stress reduction techniques, such as yoga, tai chi or meditation.
Reduce caffeine - Although some headache medications include caffeine because they may be helpful in reducing headaches, they may also increase headaches. So, try to reduce or eliminate caffeine from your diet.
Okay! So my dear ladies, now I’m sure that you have got a fair idea about what is migraine, it’s symptoms, causes, and most importantly what could be done in order to avoid daily headaches. But yet again please remember everyone has a different body type, and what might suit and work for you, might not work for the others, so do or follow what suits you the best. Furthermore remember, that if even after following all the mentioned methods, you are experiencing a headache, then please make sure to visit the doctor and get yourself checked properly and do not put your life in danger for neglecting it thinking that its just a headache.
Ref: Migraine: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention (webmd.com)
Migraine - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Chronic daily headaches - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic