What is a migraine?
Migraine (also called headache or headache) can last from 2 hours to 4 days. This headache is accompanied by vision problems, photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), nausea, severe pain, and vomiting.
Migraine affects many people, women and men, but the highest percentage is women - 75%. Migraine begins with the release of serotonin into the bloodstream. Serotonin is a biochemical substance stored in blood platelets (platelets) secreted naturally by the human body. When serotonin is released into the bloodstream, the blood vessels contract (narrow). Because serotonin is eliminated from the kidneys' body, its level in the brain is depleted, which causes blood vessels to dilate at this level. This dilation causes pain in the surrounding nerves, which can cause migraines.
Migraine headaches
There are two predominant types of migraine:
- Common
migraine - Classic migraine
Common migraine begins slowly and may be preceded by:
- fatigue
- thirst
- yawning
- depression
- irritability
- anxiety
This type of migraine usually occurs on one side of the head.
The classic migraine has four stages:
- prodrome
- aura
- headache
- postcephalus
During the prodrome, the person may feel tired, irritated, or decreased in concentration or depression. This stage lasts about 24 hours and precedes the aura.
The aura consists of a slow decrease in visual acuity, with a peak that may consist in the loss of visual acuity in the middle of each field in each eye. In addition to the aura, migraine sufferers may see twinkling lights, bright zigzags, stings or burns, or muscle weakness on one side of the body.
The third stage is that of the headache itself; usually, a severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head, usually accentuated by strong light or sounds, may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
The 4th stage is that of postencephalitic characterized by fatigue and physical exhaustion.
Classic migraine can occur on one or both sides of the head.
Other uncommon types of migraines are:
Hemiplegic migraine, which involves muscle weakness or partial paralysis, lasting less than 1 hour.
Ophthalmic migraine involves temporary eye disorders such as eyelid loss and changes in the pupil, lasting from a few days to weeks.
Migraine of the basilar artery, which involves neurological spasm lasting about 6-8 hours.
Migraine status, which consists of a severe migraine attack that lasts more than 24 hours.
Migraine - Causes and risk factors
The release of serotonin, which causes migraines, can be triggered by many factors which can be:
- stress
factors
- food factors - sensory factors
Stress factors can be:
- depression
- shock
- changes in daily routine
- arousal
- anger
Food factors include:
- chocolate
- cheese
- red wine
- fried foods
Sensory factors include:
- strong light - strong
smells
- strong noises
Besides, migraine may be linked to some medications:
- Nitroglycerin
- Lithium
- Certain antihypertensives
- Certain anti
- inflammatory - Certain bronchodilators
It can also be linked to hormonal changes:
- menstrual period
- hormonal treatments
- contraceptives
Patients often have a family history of migraines (several cases between grade 1 and 2 relatives).
Migraine symptoms
Migraine symptoms include:
- throbbing or dull pain in one or both sides of the head
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- visual disturbances (light spots, light zigzags, glistening light)
- sensitivity to light
- sensitivity to sounds
- sensitivity to odors
- fatigue
- confusion
- nasal congestion
- chills
- sweating
- anxiety
- sensitivity to touching the scalp
- a feeling of cold hands and feet
Diagnosis in case of migraine
There is no safe test for diagnosing migraine. Doctors diagnose migraine based on physical examination and medical history, including triggers, symptoms, and family history.
Migraine treatment
Migraine - treatment The treatment of migraine consists of direct prevention of attacks (preventive therapy or prophylaxis) and the amelioration of painful episodes (symptomatic therapy).
Prophylactic therapy includes:
- Elimination of controllable triggers, such as chocolate or red wine
- Improving physical, emotional, and mental health through exercise, relaxation techniques, rest
- Reducing stress through medications to prevent attacks
The most common preventive drugs used are beta-blockers (Propranolol, Nadolol, Timolol, Atenolol, Metoprolol). Beta-blockers have an indirect effect on serotonin, preventing blood vessels' dilation and decreasing the brain's overstimulating impulses.
Other preventive medications include:
- Antagonists for calcium channels, such as verapamil or diltiazem
- Antidepressants
- Aspirin
- Serotonin antagonists
Preventive medications should be taken every day, even if headaches are not present. They are not effective if they are administered only during the crisis.
Migraine - Symptomatic therapy
Once a migraine has started, there are two methods to reduce pain:
- Non
-drug therapy - Drug therapy
Non-drug therapy includes:
- cold compresses applied to the forehead
- resting in a quiet room
- gentle head massage
- acupuncture
You can visit Recovery Groups at Kentucky Mental Health Care for the treatment of migraine. They are the best service provider.