A Migraine is a strong headache that usually only affects one side of your head. Nausea and vomiting are usual symptoms with high light and sound sensitivity. At times a Migraine attack can be so intense that it interferes even with your daily life activities. It lasts anywhere from hours to days.

In some people, an Aura, a warning indication, may emerge before or at the same time as the headache. Speech problems, tingling on one side of the face, an arm, or a leg, as well as vision issues like light flashes or blind spots, can all be symptoms of Auras.

What Triggers Migraine

Migraine triggers can differ from person to person, and what causes a migraine in one person may not cause one in another. However, the following are some common migraine triggers:

Emotional Stress

Emotional Stress is considered as one of the most frequent causes of Migraine headaches. As a result of stressful situations, your brain releases certain chemicals known as the "flight or fight" response in an effort to counter the threat. A Migraine may develop as a result of these substances releasing. Other feelings like fear, anxiety, and excitement can tighten the muscles and widen the blood vessels. Your Migraine worsens in these situations.

Caffeine

Headaches can occur when one consumes too much caffeine or experiences caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine seems to make your blood vessels more sensitive, thus headaches may happen if you don't get any. Healthcare professionals occasionally advise patients to take caffeine to treat severe Migraine attacks, but it shouldn't be taken frequently.

Sensitivity to Particular Dietary Additives and Preservatives

Up to 30% of Migraines may be brought on by specific foods and drinks, including aged cheese, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, nitrates (found in pepperoni, hot dogs, and luncheon meats), and fermented or pickled foods.

Hormonal Changes in Women

Around the time of their menstrual cycles, women are more likely to experience Migraines. Migraines can be due to the sudden drop in oestrogen that occurs during menstruation. Birth control drugs and hormone replacement therapy can potentially alter hormone levels. Since these oestrogen fluctuations typically don't occur in young girls and post-menopausal women, migraines are generally worse between puberty and menopause. You might experience a reduction in headaches following menopause if hormones play a significant role in your migraines. Male Migraines do not seem to be brought on by hormonal changes.

Other Possible Triggers

• Use of painkillers on a regular basis.
• Storm fronts, variations in barometric pressure, high winds, or changes in altitude etc.
• Being too exhausted, Overexertion.
• Eating poorly or not getting enough water.
• Missing a meal or skipping a meal.
• Alterations to your regular sleeping schedule.
• Exposure to Noisy sounds.
• Exposure to fluorescent lights, TV or computer screens, flashing lights, and sunlight.
• Exposure to odors such as smoking, perfume, or other smells.

Read Also :

Types of Hpertension,Causes,Symptoms and management

5 Early Signs of Alzheimers disease and 5 tips for caregivers

Symptoms of Migraine

A headache is a Migraine's main symptom. Some people describe their pain as throbbing or thumping. Beginning as a dull pain, it could develop into a mild, medium, or severe pulsing pain. If you don't receive treatment, your headache will get worse. The pain may travel from one side of your head to the other in addition to hurting the front, back, or may affect your entire head. Some people have pain in their jaw, neck, sinuses, face, temples, or around their eyes. In addition to these, migraines can also cause:

• Pale skin color (pallor)
• Feeling tired
• Dizziness and blurred vision
• Tender scalp
• Diarrhea (rare)
• Fever (rare)
• Sensitivity to sound, light, and smell
• Nausea, vomiting, an upset stomach, and discomfort in the abdomen
• Decrease in appetite.
• Feeling very hot (sweating) or chilly (chills)

The average migraine lasts four hours but it can persist for longer duration also.

Treatment of Migraine  

Chronic Migraine headaches cannot be cured, but they can be controlled, and may even get better. There are two basic treatment techniques that use Medicines:

Abortive Medicines

The earliest indication of a Migraine is when you should take an abortive for maximum effectiveness. Take these as soon as you stop feeling discomfort. By potentially stopping the headache process, abortive medications help stop or minimize your Migraine symptoms, like pain, nausea, and light sensitivity.

Preventative Medicines

When your headaches are severe, occur more than four times per month, and severely interfere with your daily activities, preventive (prophylactic) drugs may be administered. The frequency and severity of headaches are both reduced by preventative medications. Many people regularly take drugs every day to help prevent migraines.

Some patients with only mild to moderate Migraines can experience relief with the help of  over-the-counter drugs. Ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, and caffeine are the key components of painkillers. The following three over-the-counter medications for migraine headaches are most popular in India

• Migranil
• Migranex10
• Migrabeta Plus

Be cautious when using over-the-counter painkillers. Sometimes using them excessively can result in headaches from analgesic-rebound or a dependency issue. Inform your doctor if you take any over-the-counter painkillers more than two or three times each week. They might make recommendations for stronger prescription drugs.

FAQs

What is the main cause of migraines?

Your migraines may be triggered by experiencing  stress at work or at home. sensory arousal. Loud noises, bright or flashing lights can also cause migraines. Strong odors like perfume, paint thinner, secondhand smoke, and others can cause migraines in certain people.

Is migraine a serious problem?

Bad headaches are only one aspect of migraines. You might spend days in bed if you have this neurological disorder, which causes terrible throbbing pain.

Can lack of sleep cause migraines?

Generally speaking, some people's headaches and migraines are known to be brought on by a lack of sleep. In a big study of migraineurs, half claimed that restless nights were a factor in their headaches. Additionally, those who slept for fewer than six hours a night on average experienced headaches more frequently and with greater intensity.

Can stress cause migraines?

Nearly 70% of sufferers of migraines experience stress as a trigger for attacks. Patients who suffer from migraines, particularly those who experience chronic daily migraines, report feeling extremely stressed.

Is migraine a lifetime disease?

Migraine is a common, genetic, chronic, and frequently disabling condition that most severely affects adults in their prime working and parenting years. It has been linked to an increased risk of psychological diseases like depression and anxiety as well as vascular disorders like heart attack and stroke.

Can migraine be cured permanently?

There is still no treatment for migraines. However, medications can help stop them, help you avoid them, or help you manage your symptoms. Avoiding triggers for your migraines is another option.