Headaches are intolerable and when we are talking about migraine headaches, it knows no bounds. Why is it said so? Because while a normal headache goes within a few hours of taking a painkiller, a migraine can stay for up to 72 hours or even more in some cases.
The pain is agonizing and once you get it, it is difficult to escape. So, what can you do to ensure that your migraine doesn’t come back frequently? All you have to do is understand its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
What is a Migraine?
A migraine is a headache with throbbing pain that is usually worse on one side of the head. The pain is often severe enough to hamper your daily activities and may last from four hours to three days, if untreated.
Women are three times more likely to have migraine headaches than men. More than one in 10 Indian males and one in 6 women have migraines. Certain foods, stress, and hormones are major migraine triggers.
Migraine Symptoms
Throbbing pain typically occurs on one side near the temples (it is located on the side of the head behind the eye between the forehead and the ear), forehead, and eyes.
Migraine headaches can make you very sensitive to light, sound, or mild exertion, such as climbing the stairs.
Many people have nausea, vomiting, or vision problems. The pain can be disabling, forcing you to miss work or other activities.
Migraine with Aura
About 20% of people who suffer from migraine headaches will have an aura about 20 minutes to an hour, before the pain. Auras are reversible symptoms of the nervous system. They're usually visual but can also include other disturbances.
If you have a migraine with an aura, you may see flashing lights, wavy lines, or dots, or you may have blurry vision or blind spots. These are called "classic migraine headaches." You may have a change in the mood before a migraine begins- like become more excitable or irritable or depressed. Sometimes, you may detect a sensation, such as a funny smell or taste. You may feel more fatigued, yawn frequently, or experience muscle tension.
Migraine Triggers
Migraine headaches may be set off by some specific factors called “Triggers.”
These could be things like:
- Flickering lights from television or movie screens.
Emotional stress.
Lack of food or sleep.
Hormonal changes in females, before or during their period.
Specific foods like red wine, cheese, chocolate, soy sauce & MSG (especially in Chinese food). Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups, and processed meats.
Risk Factors of Migraine
Several factors make you more prone to having migraines, including:
Family history. If you have a family member with migraines, then you are most likely to develop them too.
Age. Migraines can occur at any age, but they tend to peak during your 30s, and gradually become less frequent as you age.
Sex. Women are three times more likely to have migraines than men.
Hormonal changes. If you have migraines, headaches might begin just before or shortly after the onset of menstruation. Menstruation, commonly known as periods, is the normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause (the natural stopping of a woman’s menstrual cycle) can also trigger migraines. Migraines generally improve after menopause.
Diagnosing Migraine
Migraine headaches are diagnosed primarily from symptoms, but your doctor may want to do a brain scan to rule out other causes of headaches, such as a brain tumor or bleeding in the brain.
He may also ask you to maintain a “Headache Diary” to record the events before and during the attack. Your doctor may also want to assess your "headache burden" - how much of your life is affected by migraine headaches. A simple questionnaire asks how many times you have missed work, school, or family or leisure activities because of headaches.
Treatment of Migraine
There is no particular cure for migraines. Based on your headache burden, you may need to take occasional, regular, or preventive treatment. Besides medicines, you may have to take conscious preventive steps to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.
Preventive Tips for Migraine
1. Avoid triggers. If certain foods or odors (like strong smells) seem to trigger migraines, avoid them.
2. Avoid things like alcohol, red wine, banana, nuts, cheese, pizza, and chocolates.
Drinking alcohol relaxes your blood vessels, leading to an increased blood flow to your brain. This can also cause headaches, including migraines.
Red wine gets its colour from tannin, a constituent present in the skin of red grapes. Tannins are plant chemicals that impart flavor to red wines and contain antioxidants. Tannins are known to spur the release of serotonin (a key hormone that stabilizes your mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness), which at high levels can cause headaches and migraines.
Tyramine (an amino acid that helps regulate blood pressure), found in bananas and cheese can trigger migraines in some people. Tyramine can cause headaches by constricting and dilating blood vessels.
3. A regular meal schedule will also help. Missing a meal is also a trigger. Not eating for a while can make your blood sugar levels drop. As a result, your body releases hormones that signal your brain that you're hungry. These same hormones may increase your blood pressure and tighten blood vessels in your body, triggering a migraine headache.
4. Regular exercise can reduce migraine attacks. When you exercise regularly, your body releases endorphins, the ‘feel-good’ hormones that act as your body's natural painkillers. Exercise reduces stress and helps you sleep well. Stress and inadequate sleep are two migraine triggers.
5. Get enough sleep but avoid oversleeping. Sleep has a direct and positive impact on your overall health. Sleeping for 7 to 8 hours daily keeps your blood pressure normal and your stress levels in check, thereby reducing the frequency of migraine headaches.
6. Stress is a risk factor for most headaches. Relaxation methods such as pranayama (breathing techniques), yoga, or meditation can reduce migraine attacks. A nice body massage can also help reduce stress.
7. Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking lots of water. Dehydration is a major cause of headaches and can be a migraine trigger. Dehydration (loss of excess fluids from your body due to an illness) can cause your brain to shrink and trigger pain receptors surrounding your skull, causing a headache.
Migraines can have a significant impact on your daily life. Taking preventive steps to avoid the triggers can help reduce the severity or frequency of migraines. Leading a healthy lifestyle that includes eating fresh, home-cooked meals on time, resting well, and being stress-free can reduce the occurrence of migraines. Consult your physician/neurologist/ENT specialist in case of frequent migraine attacks.
Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.