A migraine headache is normally a throbbing pain in one half of the head, which continues from anywhere between 4 to 72 hours. This condition also has accompanying problems like nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to sound and increased sensitivity to light. The headache may range from moderate to severe.
Symptoms of Migraine Headaches:
- Intense pounding pain involving one temple.
- Sometimes the location of the pain is the forehead, the back of the head or in the vicinity of the eyes.
- Usually the pain is on one side of the head. Sometimes, it can be on both sides of the head.
- The side of the head in which the pain is caused may change in the next attack.
- Migraine headaches restricted to only one side may be more dangerous, as they could be caused by a brain tumor.
- Normal activities such as walking the stairs may aggravate migraine headaches.
- During a migraine attack, the affected people usually prefer to lie in a dark, quiet room because of increased sensitivity to light and sound.
- Chills
- Increased urination
- Loss of appetite
- Concentration problems
Signs of an Impending Migraine Attack:
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Sleepiness
- Euphoria or depression
- Yearning for sweet or salty food
- Yawning
The patient and his immediate contacts should treat these signs as a warning of an oncoming migraine and take immediate precautionary and corrective measures to reduce its severity.
Apart from the above symptoms, some migraine headaches are preceded with an aura. An aura is seeing bright, flashing colored lights in irregular patterns, originating from the middle of the vision field and moving outwards. An aura is also seeing a blind spot on the vision area. Another rare type of aura consists of the sensations of pins and needles on the hand and arm on one side of the body or the same sensations on the same side but around the mouth and nose. After a migraine attack, the affected feels totally exhausted. However, a low intensity headache may continue.
Types of Migraine Headaches:
- Vertebrobasilar migraines: These migraines appear to be connected to the malfunctioning of the brain stem, the part of the brain which takes care of the automatic activities like consciousness and coordination. Its symptoms are fainting, vertigo and double vision.
- Hemiplegic migraines are possibly linked to the paralysis or weakness on one side of the body.
- Retinal or ocular migraines: These migraines are accompanied by frequent occurrences of blindness on one side.
Medical Treatment for Migraines:
Triptans, Ergots, Midrin, narcotics and butalbital containing medications have been found useful to treat migraine headaches.
Non-Medication Treatment for Migraines:
- Using ice, relaxation techniques and biofeedback may be useful in halting a migraine attack after it has started.
- Relaxation and sleep may be very beneficial.
- Quit smoking
- Avoiding foods like sharp cheese, wines, nuts, pressed meat, etc.
- Changing to healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, adequate intake of fluids, regular sleep and exercise may also help to alleviate migraine headache.
Migraine Triggers:
- Sleep disturbances
- Fasting
- Stress
- Smell and odors
- Flickering bright lights
- Hormones
- Alcohol
- Cigarette smoke
- Chocolate
- Aged cheese
- Monosodium glutamate
- Caffeine
Exposure to the trigger and actual onset of migraine may have a time interval which may vary from hours to two days. However, contact with the trigger does not necessarily result in a migraine attack and avoidance of triggers does not rule them out. Different people get affected by different triggers.
How to prevent migraines?
- Avoid “triggers”
- Avoid headaches caused by medications
