MIGRAINE: A Simple Explanation

A migraine is a very painful type of headache. It affects more females than males, and in people who have it, the first episode often happens before they are 40 years old. Many people believe that migraine simply means a very bad headache, but it is actually more specific than that. It may be characterized by:

• Pulsating headache that is restricted to just one side of the head and lasts for 4 to 72 hours
• The headache is usually of moderate to severe intensity
• The headache is worsened by basic activity like walking
• It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound
• Some people have an “aura” that precedes a migraine episode. It typically lasts 5 to 60 minutes. The aura may be:
  • visual (e.g., flashes of light),
  • sensory (e.g., a tingling sensation in hand or leg),
  • speech (e.g., transient slurred speech), and so on.

What Causes Migraine?

Scientists are yet to figure out the exact cause of migraines. However, some factors predispose a person to have migraines, including:

• Being female
• Genetics
• If someone else in the family has/had a migraine

Aside from these predisposing factors, some factors can trigger an episode of migraine, such as:

• Stress
• Hormonal imbalances and use of hormone-altering drugs like oral contraceptive pills
• Cheese
• Red wine
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Tobacco
• Hunger

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Migraine?

·        Prodrome Phase

A number of people have described what is now known as the prodromal phase of a migraine. It may be understood as a warning phase that takes place hours or days before a migraine episode. It may be characterized by feeling tired, irritable, or having mood changes.

·        Migraine with Aura

About 20% of people experience migraine with an aura. The most common aura is seeing shimmering or zigzag lines that move across the field of vision for up to 40 minutes, sometimes accompanied by temporary blind spots (scotoma). Other types of aura can include tingling or numbness spreading across the body or brief difficulties with speech.

·        Migraine Without Aura

Most people have this (migraine without aura). It is characterized by a moderate to severe throbbing headache, often accompanied by sensitivity to light (photophobia), sound (phonophobia), and sometimes vomiting. The pain typically worsens with movement, leading sufferers to prefer resting in a quiet, dark room.

How Is Migraine Treated?

• Avoiding Triggers
• Avoiding things that trigger migraines (like certain medications or foods) can help prevent them.

• Treating a Migraine Attack
• Pain Relief: Painkillers like aspirin, paracetamol, or NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) are helpful. However, it is important to avoid long-term use of NSAIDs to avoid peptic ulcers.
• Nausea Relief: For nausea, medications like metoclopramide or domperidone may come in handy.
• Triptans: For severe attacks, triptans (like sumatriptan) may be prescribed.
• Ergotamines: These can also treat migraines but may lead to dependence, so they should be used carefully.

• Additional Options:
• Non-Drug Treatments: Lifestyle changes like getting enough sleep and managing stress are terribly underrated.
• Supplements: Certain supplements may help prevent migraines.