Symptoms of Migraine headache, factors affecting it and the treatment!

Migraine is a pulsating headache, usually seen as recurrent attacks of moderate to severe intensity and is often lifelong. Untreated attacks last from 4 to 72 hours.

Migraine attacks typically include headache, which is:

1. Of moderate/ severe intensity
2. On one-side or behind the eye
3. Is pulsating in quality
4. Aggravates with physical activity
5. Has a sensitivity to light and sounds
6. Accompanied by nausea.

Factors that can increase Migraine headache:

There are multiple factors, which may vary from person to person. 3 main factors include:

    1. Certain environmental changes:

i) Sudden change in weather

ii) Too much or not enough sleep

iii) Strong smells

iv) Loud sound or bright/ flashing light

v) Skipped meals

    2. Mental Health concerns:

i) Certain emotions

ii) Stress

iii) Depression

iv) Anxiety

   3.Medical reasons:

i) Motion sickness

ii) Low blood sugar

iii) Hormonal changes

iv) ) Overexertion

Who is more likely to have Migraine?

Worldwide around 1.1 billion people are suffering with migraine headaches.

Migraines occur both in children and adults. But it has been seen that adult women are affected by this three times more than men. In women, migraine often relates to changes in hormones.

Treatment of Migraine:

Relieving symptoms and preventing additional attacks is the main treatment of Migraine. Quick tips to ease symptoms include:

• Having a cup of coffee
• Napping or resting with eyes closed in a quiet, dark room
• Placing a cool cloth/ ice pack on forehead
• Drinking lots of fluid

Natural treatments for migraine include Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and a medicinal plant butterbur.

Medicinal Treatment for Migraine:

There are two different types of medications for Migraine:

1. Acute medications: Taken as soon as symptoms occur to relieve pain.
2. Preventive medications: Taken daily to reduce future attacks and their severity.

Lifestyle changes that can help reduce or prevent migraine attacks:

• Exercising
• Avoiding food/ beverages that trigger headaches
• Eating regularly scheduled meals
• Adequate hydration
• A consistent sleep schedule.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.

Everyone with migraine needs effective treatment at the time of the headaches. Try our simple ways and get rid of this recurring pain.

Source:-1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8904749/ 

               2. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/migraine