One of the most nagging headaches, Migraine is episodic (occurs anywhere from once or twice a year to 1-4 times a month) in nature. It is associated with accompanying symptoms like vomiting, blurring of vision etc. Some patients may get headaches more frequently, almost daily.
Migraine is a condition which refers to severe headache that is commonly associated with signs like blind spots, nausea and/or vomiting. Migraine headaches are extremely painful and can last for hours or sometimes even for days together. Migraine headaches are often caused by certain genetic as well as environmental factors. Migraine can be prevented to a great extent by exercising and alternative therapies like acupuncture.
Depending on the signs and symptoms, migraines are classified into the Classic Migraine and Common Migraine.
Classic migraines start with an aura. The person may have trouble communicating, feel depressed, irritable and restless. The symptoms may last for 5 to 15 minutes or more. As these symptoms disappear, a throbbing headache begins on one side of the head along with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise.
Common migraines don’t start with an aura and may start more slowly than classic migraines, last longer and interfere more with daily activities. The pain of common migraines may be on only one side of the head. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise usually accompany the headache.
Though the exact causes of migraines are unknown, blood vessel contractions and other changes in the brain as well as inherited abnormalities in certain areas of the brain have been linked to it. A migraine pain center or generator is situated in the brain. A migraine begins when hyperactive nerve cells send out impulses to the blood vessels. This causes them to constrict, followed by expansion and the release of inflammatory substances like prostaglandins, serotonin etc. that cause the pulsation to be painful.
Migraines can begin at any age, but most develop them around adolescence or in their 20s. It occurs more often in women than men and most migraine sufferers have a family history of the disease.
A migraine attack could be triggered by certain factors like:
A Migraine headache usually starts as a dull ache and gets worse within minutes to hours. Patients usually complain of a throbbing, pounding or pulsating pain which is worse on one side of the head and lasts 6 to 48 hours.
This could be accompanied by –
Diagnosis is usually done by the symptoms and the pattern of headache, family history of migraine and the response to analgesics taken to stop the headache. Neurological tests are done to rule out diseases of the brain or nerves like epilepsy or multiple sclerosis that may also cause headaches and migraines. Patients are usually asked to maintain a headache diary which will help the doctor identify the triggers for the migraine episodes.
There are two approaches to treat migraine namely - Abortive and Preventive.
Abortive therapy: The treatment goal is to stop migraine as soon as a person experiences the pain.
Preventive therapy: The target of this treatment approach is to lessen the severity and frequency of migraine.
Here is detailed information on the common treatment options for migraine.
Here are few natural remedies that are known to be effective in combating the symptoms of migraine.
The key preventive measures you should follow to keep migraine away include
Here's why lavender essential oil is a must-have in your medicine cabinet if you are prone to migraine attacks
Women who suffer from migraine headaches have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in later life, says a study.
Deficiencies in certain vitamins are the likely reason behind the development of migraines in children, teens and young adults, finds a new study.
This is why women should take these bouts of headache seriously
PhotosDid you know that a headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting is a sign of a migraine headache? Read for more such symptoms.
PhotosIs your headache due to tension headache, migraine or sinus? Here's how to know what your headache signifies.
Certain medications and treatments long considered safe to treat pregnant women with migraines may have adverse effects on the babies, suggests new research.
People who regularly experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and nausea may have a higher prevalence of migraine and tension headaches, shows a study.
The risk for high-frequency headache, or more than 10 days with a headache per month, increased by 60 percent in middle-aged women with a migraine during perimenopause.
One more benefit of medical marijuana revealed!
PhotosEliminating these triggers from your home can be a good way to prevent migraine and other headaches.
PhotosStressed out, headache, blocked nose? Say goodbye to these health problems with acupressure.
Pre-existing asthma may be a strong predictor of future chronic migraine attacks in individuals experiencing occasional migraine headaches, according to researchers from the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the US.
...and you can do the same too!
Here's an alternative to medication to help get rid of migraine.
It really does.
Researchers find what triggers a migraine attack
Ginger and its 10 amazing health benefits!
That painful headache that will not go away. Is it a migraine? Watch this video to find out!
Women, not men, at high risk of migraine (there's a reason)
Don't blame your genes for link between migraine and heart disease
Are you suffering from migraine attacks? Drink ginger tea to attain quick relief.
This drug can block the activity of the substance which leads to migraine pain.
New drug that alleviates migraine headache developed
It really does.
Researchers find what triggers a migraine attack
Ginger and its 10 amazing health benefits!
That painful headache that will not go away. Is it a migraine? Watch this video to find out!
Women, not men, at high risk of migraine (there's a reason)
Don't blame your genes for link between migraine and heart disease
Are you suffering from migraine attacks? Drink ginger tea to attain quick relief.
This drug can block the activity of the substance which leads to migraine pain.
New drug that alleviates migraine headache developed
Childhood adversities linked to migraines, study reveals
Surgeries more effective in curing migraine in teens
5 reasons the summer could be tough on you
What your eyes could indicate about your health
5 reasons you should not ignore that pain on one side of your head
Do you suffer from migraine? Here is a list of effective drugs to put an end to the nerve wrenching pain.
Have a look at some of the surprising migraine triggers that might help you out in knowing your cause of headache.
Are recurring headaches making you life worse at work? Learn some useful ways to deal with them
A headache can really ruin your day. Here are some natural remedies to deal with it.
Do you suffer from migraine? Here are 6 foods that you should stay away from.
Migraine can be tough to deal with. Here are some methods that can help you fight it.
Suffering from continuous headaches? Pay more attention to frequent headaches, it might be something more sinister.
Headaches - why you should take them more seriously
Botox injections commonly used to get rid of wrinkles and other cosmetic procedures can get rid of migraines as well.
Some tips to fight and keep Migraine away.
