Migraine relief is easy once you know ways to manage it. Migraine takes a tremendous toll on the quality of life of affected individuals, their families, and society as a whole. As a chronic disorder with prominent episodic manifestations, migraine is associated with considerable disability that undermines normal function. Pain, associated migraine symptoms pose a personal burden.
The pain of a migraine headache is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head. It is often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. Migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some individuals can predict the onset of a migraine because it is preceded by an “aura,” visual disturbances that appear as flashing lights, zig-zag lines or a temporary loss of vision. People with migraine tend to have recurring attacks triggered by a lack of food or sleep, exposure to light, or hormonal irregularities (only in women). Anxiety, stress, or relaxation after stress can also be triggers. For many years, scientists believed that migraines were linked to the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the head. Investigators now believe that migraine is caused by inherited abnormalities in genes that control the activities of certain cell populations in the brain.
The typical migraine causes a severe headache which can last between 4 and 72 hours in left untreated and it often comes with a number of other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and mental confusion as well as light and sound sensitivity.
What Causes Migraines?
The underlying cause of migraines is not fully understood. Some researches have suggested that the condition is neurological and caused by changes in serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. As a reaction to these changes, brain neurons release additional neuropeptides which cause pain and inflammation of the blood vessels. Migraines could also be hereditary, and approximately 70% of migraine sufferers have a family history of this condition.
In addition, migraines can be brought on or triggered by a number of factors. These triggers will vary among people but the common triggers include:
* Certain foods (common foods including chocolate, cheese, alcohol, and caffeine)
* Skipping meals or fasting
* Hormonal changes (many women experience migraines during there menstrual cycle, menopause or pregnancy)
* Stress, tension or anxiety
* Fatigue
* Intense physical activity
* Changes in the physical environment such as changes in season, temperature or altitude
* Various sensory stimuli such as bright lights, flashing lights, unusual smells and loud noise
* Changes in sleeping patterns, sleep disorders or lack of sleep
* Alcohol and tobacco smoke
* Over-the-counter and prescription medication
Is there any migraine treatment?
There are two ways to approach the treatment of migraine headache with drugs: prevent the attacks, or relieve the symptoms during the attacks. Many people with migraine use both approaches by taking medications originally developed for epilepsy and depression to prevent future attacks, and treating attacks when they happen with drugs called triptans that relieve pain and restore function. Hormone therapy may help some women whose migraines seem to be linked to their menstrual cycle. Stress management strategies, such as exercise, relaxation, biofeedback, and other therapies designed to help limit discomfort, may also reduce the occurrence and severity of migraine attacks.