What is a migraine?

A migraine is a headache that can cause severe pulsating pain or a palpable sensation, generally on one side of the head. If you have migraines or a family history of migraines, then get in touch with our experts now and book your appointment with the Best Neurologist in As Rao Nagar, Hyderabad. Apart from pain, there is always a sensation of nausea, vomiting, and severe sensitivity to light and sound. These attacks of migraine last more than hours to days and would meddle with your daily activities.

Among some people, an aura occurs as a warning symptom before or during a headache. Several disturbances such as light which flashes or blind spots or other disturbances, for example, tingling sensation on one side of the face or arm or leg and speech difficulty comprise an Aura.

Some medications help in preventing migraines or making them less severe. Appropriate medication along with some self-help remedies can help in addition to some lifestyle changes.

Symptoms

As there are no age-bound differences in experiencing migraine pain, the pain progresses through 4 stages in either children, adults, or teenagers: Prodrome, Aura, attack, and post-drome. Not all people having migraines experience all four stages.

Prodrome

Some very subtle changes are observed before one or two days of a migraine that warns before a migraine:

 Constipation

 Mood changes, from depression to euphoria

 Food cravings

 Neck stiffness

 Increased urination

 Fluid retention

 Frequent yawning

Aura

Aura is experienced by some people before or during migraines. Reversible symptoms of the nervous system are auras. Other disturbances other than usual visuals can be included. Each symptom usually begins slowly, pile-up over many minutes, and might even last up to 60 minutes.

Examples of auras are:

Visual experience, such as seeing various shapes or flashes of light

Vision loss

Pins or needles sensations on an arm or leg

Numbness or weakness in the face or one side of the body

Difficulty speaking

Attack

A migraine, if untreated will last from about 4 hours to 72 hours usually. The pattern of migraines varies from person to person. Migraines might occur rarely or attack several times in a month.

During a migraine, you might have:

The actual pain of the migraine is on both sides of the brain, but it experiences as if it’s only on one side of it.

Pain that throbs or pulses

Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch

Nausea and vomiting

 Post-drome

Post a migraine attack, people might feel drained, confused, and washed out for a day. Some people report that they feel jubilant. But if there is again a sudden jerk of the head, it might bring on the pain briefly.

Causes

Although migraine causes are still not known, genetics and environmental factors seem to be involved.

Imbalances in brain chemicals such as serotonin might help regulate pain in the nervous system

Researchers are analysing the role of serotonin in migraines. Other neurotransmitters (chemical transmitter) play a role in the pain of migraine, including Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP).

Triggers for Migraine:

There are several migraine triggers, including:

Hormonal changes in women: Fluctuations in estrogen, such as before or during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause, might trigger headaches in many women.

Hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives, also can worsen migraines. For some women, these medications make it less severe or the migraine intensity and occurrence rate have gone down.

Drinks: These includes alcohol, mainly wine, and too much caffeine such as coffee.

Stress:  Stress at work or home can cause migraines.

Sensory stimuli: Bright or flashing lights can trigger migraines, and so can loud sounds. Strong smells such as perfume, second-hand smoke, paint thinner, and more triggers migraines in some people.

Sleep changes: Not sleep or getting too much sleep can trigger migraines in some people.

Physical factor: Intense physical exertion, including sexual activities, might provoke migraines.

Weather changes: A change of weather or barometric pressure can signify a migraine.

Medication: Oral contraceptives and vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin, can make migraines much worse.

Food: Old cheeses and salty and manufactured foods might trigger migraines. And also skipping meals does the same.

Food additive: These includes the sweetener aspartame and the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in many food.

Risk factors

So Many factors make you more prone to having migraines, including:

Family history: A family history containing migraine is a clear indication that there is a high probability that you could end up having one.

Age: Migraine can attack in any age, though the first often occurs during adolescence. Migraines tend to peak during your 30s and gradually become less severe and less frequent in the following decades.

Sex: Women are three times more susceptible than men to migraines.

Hormonal changes: For womens who have migraine, headache might begin just before or soon after the onset of menstruation. They might also interchange during pregnancy or menopause. Migraines generally improve after menopause.

 Complications

Taking painkiller tablets or injections too much can trigger to serious medication-overuse headaches. The risk seems to be highest with aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine combinations. Rebound headaches may also take place if you take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin for more than 14 days a month or triptans, sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra), or rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT) for more than nine days a month.

Medication-overuse headaches starts when medications stop relieving pain and starts headaches. You then use more pain medication, which continues the cycle.

Neurology disorders are very hard to deal with but they are treatable if you get a help of best Neurologist. If you are also struggling with the same then get in touch with the best neurosurgeons at ABR Neuro multi-specialty hospital which is the best Neurology Hospital in As Rao Nagar, Hyderabad. We serve you with the most effective and affordable treatment to help you to reach your normal life again.