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Among a multitude of headache types, migraine attack is considered one of the most debilitating and incapacitating. More than 10% of the world’s population suffers from migraines. It’s more common among people aged between 20 and 30 years. In women, its frequency is three times higher than in men.
In this article, you’ll explore:
- Common Migraine Headache Types
- Four Phases of Migraines, its Symptoms, and Causes
- Migraine treatments and Reduce Future Episodes
Keep reading to know more!
Synopsis
Understanding Migraine Headaches
A migraine headache is a headache of varying intensity, often followed by nausea and sensitivity to sound and light. Multiple triggers can cause these, like drinks, certain foods, stress, etc.
A few common migraine categories are highlighted below:
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Migraine with Aura (classic migraine): It is a subtype of migraine that tends to recur. It triggers AURA symptoms. Before or during migraines with Aura, people experience vision changes or tingling sensations in the hand or face.
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Migraine without Aura (common migraine): It is a common migraine that can range from moderate to severe. It occurs with no warning sign. With migraine with Aura, you might experience symptoms like feeling sick and being sensitive to noise, smell, light, etc.
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Chronic Migraine: It is an excruciating condition. You may encounter frequent or long-lasting episodes of headaches. It can become chronic over time. Its indicators can shift daily and affect a person's mental wellness.
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Menstrual Migraine: Menstrual-related headaches occur in women during their menstrual cycle. They go away when the cycle is complete.
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Hemiplegic Migraine: It is a rare migraine subtype accompanied by aura. It occurs with weakness on one side of the body.
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Retinal Migraine: This migraine impacts the vision of one eye. It lasts about 10 to 20 minutes. In some rare cases, it can last up to 1 hour.
Phases of a Migraine: Migraines progress through different stages. Not everyone may experience each phase, but understanding its progression can assist you in managing migraines better. Take a look at four different stages:
- Prodrome: It is the initial stage of a migraine headache. Mood swings, fatigue, food cravings, etc, are common indicators of Prodrome phase execution.
- Aura Phase: This phase executes before or during the onset of the headache. It begins gradually and can last up to 60 minutes. Blind spots, zigzag patterns, and vision loss or disturbances are common symptoms.
- Headache Phase: Depending upon an individual's general health condition, the intensity of this phase can range from moderate to severe.
- Postdrome Phase: This is the last phase that begins when the headache finally goes away. It can linger for up to 2 days.
What Are the Symptoms of Migraine Attacks?
- Throbbing or Pulsating Pain sensation is the leading indicator of migraine headaches. It can badly impact concentration, productivity, and overall quality of life.
- Light sensitivity is a clear clue of migraines, and exposure to sunlight and fluorescent lighting can worsen the condition.
- Noise or loud sounds can also exert migraine symptoms, and to manage it, individuals must practice relaxation techniques.
- Nausea and vomiting are other indicators that frequently accompany migraine attacks.
- Many individuals experience aura disturbances, including blind spots and zigzag lines, before the onset of a migraine attack.
What Are the Causes of a Migraine?
The root cause of migraine headaches is not fully known. Scientists found out that the heredity factor can be one factor in it. According to the American Migraine Foundation, if one of your parents is affected by it, there is a significant likelihood your susceptibility to getting migraine will be 50%.
Migraine Triggers
Prevalent migraine triggers include:
- Acute Stress
- Hormonal Changes
- Intake of a few medications
- Changes in Sleep schedule
- Skipping food
- Excessive intake of caffeine or tobacco
- Less intake of water and fluids
Management and Treatment of Migraine Headache
The migraine headaches treatment conditions include multifaceted techniques. There is no scientific cure for Migraine attacks, but adopting one or a combination of other techniques can reduce their frequency and severity. A few common treatments to manage migraine symptoms include:
Medication
Medications play a crucial role in managing migraine symptoms and preventing future episodes.
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Acute Medication: These medications aim to target the underlying mechanisms of migraine headache attacks. Furthermore, it reduces brain inflammation. They may be advised to treat mild to moderate migraines. These medications are designed to constrict blood vessels in the brain and block the pain pathways.
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Preventive Medication: These medications are usually taken daily. They are designed to reduce the frequency and duration of migraine episodes. It is commonly advised for those who encounter frequent or severe migraine attacks.
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Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle: By adopting a few healthy lifestyle modifications, you can easily avoid migraine triggers. Improve dietary choices, correct sleep schedule, and reduce stress levels to avoid and reduce trigger exposure.
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Acute Migraine Therapy: With the correct usage of acute treatments, including Triptans and Ergotamines, you can effectively reduce the symptoms of migraine attacks.
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Focus on Preventative Measures: Preventive treatments are mainly designed to treat chronic migraine attacks, which last at least three months.
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Neurotransmitter Regulation: Beta-blockers and antidepressant medications aim to prevent the release of certain neurotransmitter levels and increase the level of happy hormones like serotonin, ultimately reducing the onset of migraines.
Incorporate Relaxation Technique
Using one or a combination of stress management techniques, relaxation techniques, CBT therapy, and other complementary therapies empowers you to manage migraine attacks effectively.
FAQ's
- Adopt healthy eating habits
- Create a good sleep schedule
- Do exercise daily
- Make exercise a daily routine.
The common causes may include excessive alcohol use, acute stress, extreme weather conditions, etc.
Consult with your doctor if you see new symptoms or have any adverse side effects of treatment.
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