Everything You Need to Know About Migraine

Dr.Madhukar Bhardwaj, 4 mins read

Migraine is a serious medical condition that often causes a strong headache. It feels like your head is throbbing, and every light is glaring. At this moment, all you want to do is just lie down in a dark room.

Due to a stressful life, the incidences of migraines are also increasing. Other factors, like genetic, environmental triggers, hormonal changes and some food items (chocolate, cured meat, red wine, etc.) can also contribute to this condition. But how do these factors cause pain?

These factors set off the chain of abnormal activities in brain chemicals and nerves, which ultimately affects the blood flow to the brain and may result in migraines. The severity of headaches is different for everyone. Some people also get pre-migraine signs, called - aura, around 10 to 15 minutes before the actual headache hits. The aura stems from the nervous system and often involves physical and sensory symptoms, such as seeing flashing lights, blind spots, ringing in the ears, inability to speak clearly, etc. 

The pain often begins as a dull ache and grows into throbbing or pounding pain. It sometimes also comes with nausea, vomiting, chills, numbness and sensitivity to sound or light. An episode of migraine usually occurs in stages and lasts for several days. When it's over, people usually experience hangovers. In some cases, it even affects the person’s daily life. Identifying the triggers and knowledge about this disease can reduce the frequency or severity of the episodes.

Symptoms

Migraine symptoms tend to occur in stages:

• Before migraine attack

A few hours or days before the headache, 60% of people with migraine experience “prodrome” which involves emotional changes, fatigue, dizziness, frequent urination, yawning, thirst, bloating, frequent hunger or lack of appetite, constipation or diarrhoea and sensitivity to light or sound. Sometimes an aura can also occur.

• During migraine attack
  

At this stage, the headache often begins and becomes worse during physical activity. The pain tends to be worse on one side of the head, and it can also shift to the other part. Some people also experience it in the centre of the head. 

Most people have nausea with headaches and around 50% vomit. Some may also feel dizziness, nasal congestion and neck pain.

• Postdrome
  

After the migraine attack, symptoms like tiredness, irritability, food craving or loss of appetite and muscle pain can occur.

Causes

Experts say migraine episodes are generated by changes in the brain. Here are some things that can trigger the symptoms:

• Emotional changes
• Hormonal changes
• Medicines, like sleeping and birth control pills
• Dietary choices, like alcohol, citrus fruits, nuts, caffeine, chocolate, onions, etc.
• Environmental factors, like loud noise, secondhand smoke, strong smells, humidity, stuffy rooms, bright lights, temperature change, etc.
• Physical stress
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Shoulder and neck tension
• Poor posture
• Irregular mealtimes
• Jet lag
• Dehydration

Exams & Tests

The doctor begins the test by asking you questions related to your symptoms and family history of migraine. If the doctor finds any unusual symptoms with migraine, like memory loss or loss of alertness, he may suggest a brain CT or MRI scan.'

Treatment & Prevention

If you experience the above-mentioned symptoms, talk to a doctor. The doctor will help you manage symptoms. There are two main medication approaches for its treatment:

• Abortive: These medications are most effective when you use them at the very first sign of the migraine. Abortive medications help stop the headache process and reduce other symptoms, like nausea, pain, light sensitivity, etc. Some abortive medications work by contracting and bringing the blood vessels to their normal position, relieving the throbbing pain.
• Preventive: These medications help reduce the severity and frequency of headaches. They are generally prescribed when severe headaches occur four times a month and interfere with daily life activities. Preventive medications are usually taken daily to prevent migraines.

The doctor may also advise you to avoid triggers. To identify the triggers, you should maintain a diary to record what you did, ate, drank and experienced before the symptoms appeared. Also, get plenty of rest, eat and sleep on a regular schedule, stay hydrated, exercise daily and manage stress. 

Also, Read: Early Signs and Symptoms of Dementia