A Migraine is a severe, painful headache that can be preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. The excruciating pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days. The typical headache of migraine starts on one side of the head usually around the eye or forehead.
A migraine occurs when
hyperactive nerve cells send impulses to blood vessels. These blood vessels
then constrict, resulting in the release of substances that cause severe pain
and discomfort. Migraines differ from a typical headache because they last much
longer. Migraine is 2 to 3 times more frequent in women than in men.
A person suffering from migraines
will always like to relax in the dark and quiet place and most of the times
relief can be obtained only when vomiting takes place. Many things can trigger a migraine.
The cause of migraine with an
aura is common. It occurs due to some factors that trigger migraine can
including stress, bright lights, some foods and medications, too much or too
little sleep, and menstruation. An aura occurs with flashing or flickering
lights, blurry vision, dark spots, partial vision loss, or seeing things that
aren't there. A feeling of deja vu, panic, or detachment can also be
experienced.
SIGNS OF MIGRAINE:
Ø
Light
and sound sensitivity
Ø
Throbbing pain usually on one side
Ø
Pulsing
sensation
COMMON CAUSE OF MIGRAINE:
Ø
Hormonal
changes in women
Ø
Hormonal
medications
Ø
Sensory
stimuli like bright lights and sun glare
Ø
Changes
in sleep patterns
Ø
Excessive
physical exertion
Ø
Weather
changes
Ø
Foods
like aged cheeses and salty and processed foods
Ø
Food
additives including the sweetener aspartame and the preservative monosodium
glutamate (MSG)
Ø
Drinks
including alcohol, especially wine, and too much caffeine
Ø
Stress
Ø
Skipping
meals or fasting
Treatment
of Migraine
Treatment is definitely required
and it is best to see a Neurologist to determine the type and cause of
headache. Management of Primary headache disorder in general involves a
combination of lifestyle modification, judicious use of analgesics and
prophylactics medications if the patient is having frequent Migraine headaches.
While management of Secondary headache, apart from symptomatic management with
analgesics, is directed towards treating the underlying brain disorder.
Most of the time, a headache is
self- treated and isn’t properly clinically diagnosed. This causes a longer
diagnosis period, making treatment difficult. In India, headaches are
underestimated, under-recognized and under-treated.
To know more about headache and
diagnosis please consult our neurology department at Wockhardt Hospital.
The Neurosciences department at
Wockhardt Hospitals is well-equipped to take care of patients with complex
neurological and neurosurgical problems. In particular, our focus areas are
stroke, migraine, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, Epilepsy,
vascular malformations and brain/spinal cord tumors. Our renowned team of
neurologists evaluate all neurological disorders and have been successful in
treating various conditions at the hospital.
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