Know All About Migraine: Symptoms, Causes and Management

A Migraine is known as an intensely severe throbbing or pulsating headache, generally on one side of the head. Intense light and sound sensitivity, as well as nausea and vomiting, are frequent adverse effects. A Migraine attack may last for several hours or even days, and the pain may be so excruciating that it is challenging to carry out daily activities.

With the help of medicine, certain migraines can be avoided or made less unpleasant. The right drugs, together with self-help methods and lifestyle changes, may be beneficial.

How do Migraine Headaches Feel?

A throbbing, pounding headache on one side of the brain is the most noticeable sign of a migraine, a frequent neurological disorder. Migraine will likely worsen if individuals push themselves physically or are exposed to bright lights, loud noises, or strong odors. It may last for days or at least four hours. 12% of Americans are thought to have this hereditary disease.

Symptoms of Migraine

Everybody has a different migraine. They frequently occur in stages and involve many people. These phases could involve:

• Prodrome

Approximately 60% of migraine sufferers experience symptoms hours or days before their headache.

• Being delicate to scent, sound, or light.

• Fatigue

• Lack of appetite or food cravings.

• Mood swings

• Severe thirst

• Bloating

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Aura

Our neurological system is the source of these symptoms, which frequently affect our vision. They frequently take longer than an hour, usually start gradually, and last between five and twenty minutes. One could: 

• See wavy lines, flashes of light, black spots.

• Have a narrow focus.

• Be completely blind.

• Feel one side of the body tingling or numb.

• Have inability to talk clearly.

• Feel heavy in the arms and legs.

• Experience ringing in the ears.

• Observe modifications in the senses of taste, smell, or touch.

• Attack

A migraine commonly lasts 4 to 72 hours if ignored. Each person experiences migraines differently. Migraines can hit infrequently or repeatedly each month. Symptoms of a migraine include: 

• Pain frequently on both sides of your head but typically on one side.

• A throbbing or pulsing pain.

• Sensitivity to scent, touch, and occasionally light and sound.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Post-drome

One can experience post-migraine drowsiness, confusion, and fatigue for up to a day. Some people claim to feel happy. The pain could return with a quick head movement. If you experience such symptoms, visit our neurology hospital in Vijayawada to have the best treatment.

Causes of Migraine

It is difficult to pinpoint the cause of migraine headaches. It is because certain nerves in the blood vessels deliver pain messages to the brain that the person get headaches. This results in the inflammation of the brain's neurons and blood vessels. Why the nerves do that is unknown.

Who are at risk of getting Migraine and what are the related risk factors?

Although it might be challenging to anticipate who will experience migraines and who won't, there are some risk factors that may make people more susceptible. These risk elements involve:

• Genetics: Up to 80% of individuals who get migraines have a first-degree relative who also suffers from the condition.

• Gender: Women experience migraine headaches more often than males due to hormonal changes.

• Stress level: High levels of stress may make migraines more frequent.

• Smoking habits

How frequently does Migraine occur?

A migraine could occur once annually, once per week, or at any other interval. The most typical migraine frequency is two to four per month.

Diagnosis of Migraine

The healthcare professional will obtain a complete medical history, including not just the headache history but also that of the family, in order to identify a migraine. In order to get a history of your migraine-related symptoms, they'll also probably ask some basic questions regarding the frequency and type of migraine headaches to the individual.

To check sure there are no other underlying medical conditions causing the headache, the doctor may also conduct blood tests and imaging studies (such a CT scan or an MRI). An electroencephalogram (EEG) may be ordered to rule out seizures. To know more, consult with our neurologist in Vijayawada.

Treatment of Migraine

There is no treatment for migraines. But the use of different medications may be effective in its treatment and elimination. Typical migraine medication includes:

• Pain relief

It includes the use of Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine, Naproxen and ibuprofen.

• Nausea medication

• Triptans

• ErgotamineLasmiditan (Reyvow)

• CGRP receptor antagonists

• Home remedies

Symptoms of migraine can be mitigated by:

• Closing my eyes and taking a long, peaceful nap.

• Applying an ice pack or chilly compress to the forehead.

• Consuming a lot of liquids.

Prevention from Migraine

One should follow some easy steps to eliminate the migraine symptoms such as:

• Stress management 

• Consumption of meals at the appropriate time.

• Taking rest

• Perform moderate exercises regularly.

Dr. Vamsi Chalasani

Consultant - Neurology

Manipal Hospitals, Vijayawada