I have a migraine. What should I do?
Those who experienced a migraine onset at least once will never mistake it for anything. Migraine is a recurring throbbing headache affecting one side of the head, which may alternate sides from one attack to another.
Who suffers migraine?
The most common age range for the first onset is from 10 to 30 years. Meanwhile, sufferers mention that during their childhood they often had spasmodic abdominal pains and nausea. Such people are also susceptible to travel- and seasickness. Women often experience migraine attacks before their menstrual periods.
Why the migraine affects the head?
The aura stage (neurological phenomena that precede the attack) is characterized by a brief vasoconstriction in the brain (contracting the blood vessel), while the pain stage begins with an abrupt vasodilation in the brain (relaxation of blood vessels). It happens for the reason that serotonin (chemical which passes messages between nerve cells) increases in level at the beginning of the onset. During a migraine attack, serotonin amounts quickly become low, which causes the blood vessels in the brain to be unusually large, resulting in increased pain sensitivity.
Classification of Migraine
The classification of migraines is linked with the symptoms they cause. Some migraine types include: classical (ophthalmic) migraine, common migraine, associated migraine, facial or lower-half facial migraine, status migrainosus and complicated migraine. Forms of migraine can vary throughout life. Thus, a common migraine in childhood can acquire symptoms of ophthalmic or associated migraines.
Classical (ophtalmic) migraine
This migraine form is signaled by the appearance of the so-called “aura” which begins 10 or 20 minutes before the headache and usually refers to a visual disturbance. That includes zigzag lines, blurred vision, distortions in the size or shape of objects. Aura is followed by unilateral, throbbing headache, which develops gradually over 60-90 minutes, and then subsides and disappears after 6 hours or more. Visual disturbance and pain usually affect different sides of the head, the same sides in rare cases. Headaches are accompanied by nausea, photophobia, phonophobia and irritability.
Common migraine, migraine without aura (previously known as hemicrania simplex)
Common migraine is characterized by the absence of aura, or it may have untypical aura in the form of mood swings (excitement or depression, fears and others). Headache lasts longer than at classical migraine, it can begin at any time of the day and even wake you at night. Migraine headache is usually frontotemporal. Severe, throbbing pain develops over 2-5 hours. It may be bilateral at the onset or start on one side and become generalized. Bright lights, loud sounds, strong odors during movements and low positions of a head worsen the pain. During a migraine attack, the temporal artery enlarges. Pushing on this area may reduce the pain. The onset usually lasts for 8-12 hours, sometimes up to 24-48 hours.
Migraine with aura (Associated, hemiplegic)
This given migraine form is characterized by neurological symptoms which (in contrast to the classical migraine) continue during and even after the pain stage. Motor disturbances in arms and legs develop in bad cases, sometimes it is accompanied by convulsions and even loss of consciousness.
Facial or Lower-half facial migraine
The term applies to the migraine pain that covers one-half of the face involving the nostril, cheek, jaw and ear. It is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Throbbing pain can spread to a temple area and an eye socket. This given migraine attack can last for 72 hours in bad cases.
Status migrainosus
Status migrainosus is a series of migraine attacks following one another, which can last several days. It is often accompanied by unremitting vomiting, which can cause dehydration. The symptoms develop gradually. General condition of a sufferer is characterized by weakness, and sometimes by disturbance of consciousness.
Complicated migraine
It commonly referred to attacks of prolonged neurological symptoms that could last weeks to months. Those can be visual, motor and sense disturbances and even the symptoms of cerebral (brain) affection.
What can trigger Migraine?
The frequency and intensity of migraine attacks depend on the amount of stress, and the onset begins not on the peak of stress, but after it, in the period of relaxation. Sleeping problems can also provoke a migraine onset. Some migraines are caused by changes in weather. Cheese and smoked meats can be triggers of migraine, as they contain tyramine (food chemical).
In conclusion, it should be noticed that regular sleep patterns, regular healthy meals and stress avoidance can help in preventing migraine attacks.
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