Millions of people every year suffer from the unpleasant and often paralyzing effects of migraines. Most commonly affecting women, migraines typically manifest between the ages of 18 and 44, although anyone of any age can get them. Differentiated from headaches by their severity and the presence of additional symptoms, migraines can make doing everyday tasks almost unbearable, leaving sufferers unable to function for long periods of time.
There are many different types of headaches, such as cluster or tension headaches, which are characterized by a pressurized form of pain which encompasses the entire head, ranging from mild to severe. Migraines are different in that they typically only affect one side of the head and cause an immensely unpleasant throbbing sensation. Migraines are also rarely mild as they are known to frequently incapacitate people, rather than just being generally unpleasant.
In addition, migraines typically have other associated symptoms. While most headaches are usually just pain-related, migraines can have drastic mental and bodily effects. Eye pain is quite common, along with problems with vision, including temporary blindness and seeing flashing lights. Pain also has a tendency to be concentrated around the temples, rather than be distributed throughout the head.
Sensitivity to brightness and noise can be an additional symptom, with sufferers often requiring an environment with extremely limited light and sound in order to cope. Nausea often accompanies migraines as well.
It’s also not uncommon for there to be precursor symptoms that indicate a migraine will be occurring in the near future. While it varies considerably from person to person, symptoms such as neck stiffness, random irritability, and food cravings that are out of the ordinary can be potential signs a migraine will be occurring in the next several hours or days.
The causes of migraines are not entirely well-understood, although there are numerous potential reasons why they might occur.
Hormonal changes are a common cause of migraines, especially among women. Pregnancy, menopause, menstrual cycles, contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy often play key roles in migraine development. Chemical imbalances are a likely source of why migraine symptoms are triggered, with some women stating the use of hormonal medications decreases the number of migraines they experience.
Stress and sleep play a major role in why migraines occur, with increased levels of anxiety being a principal trigger among sufferers. This can be further exacerbated by changes in sleep patterns, like getting too much sleep or not enough, which have been known to trigger migraines in some people.
Food and drink consumption can also be a source of migraines, with artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and excess salt causing migraines in some people. Alcohol and caffeine are substances frequently associated with migraine symptoms as their depressant and stimulant effects can result in chemical imbalances in the brain.
Environmental factors as well as physical exertion often trigger migraines, with intense smells, loud sounds, sun glare, and intense exercise triggering symptoms
There’s no universal way to determine the cause of migraines as triggers are unique to individual sufferers. As a result, migraine prevention can be difficult as many people aren’t sure what to look out for.
Keeping a log of when migraines happen and remembering stand-out events which occur several days beforehand is a great way to figure out what causes symptoms. If migraines are frequently associated with certain events, then eventually triggers can be avoided. If, for instance, exposure to very bright lights usually occurs before a migraine, then it might be a good idea for someone to avoid driving at night.
There are also more generalized ways to prevent migraines. Due to the importance of keeping chemical imbalances in check, adding a degree of consistency to everyday life will go a long way to curbing how frequently migraines occur. This includes developing a regular schedule for eating meals as well as sleeping. Efforts should also be made to avoid overly-stressful situations or at least to develop techniques for controlling stressful emotions.
Overall physical health is quite important. Routine exercise is good for maintaining a healthy mind and body, although extremely strenuous exercise should be avoided as it can be a potential migraine trigger. Depending on personal needs, taking supplements might also be a good idea. Nutrient deficiencies have been linked to the onset of migraines, magnesium in particular.
In the event a migraine cannot be prevented, there are certain measures that can be taken which reduce the severity of symptoms. If there are indications that a migraine is imminent, it’s important to start treatment early as it can make an episode more bearable.
Symptoms will vary, but taking an over-the-counter pain medication is highly recommended and, if desired, the use of triptans would definitely help as they are specifically designed to nullify the effects of a migraine. As nausea is a common migraine symptom, taking an anti-nausea medication might be appropriate.
As the surrounding environment is vitally important for migraine treatment, it’s advisable for sufferers to lay down in an area with very low levels of light and limited sound as sensitivity to both can potentially aggravate symptoms. During this time, it’s important not to become distressed as remaining calm can limit the severity of a migraine as well as reducing how long one lasts.
Temperature extremes can also be helpful with reducing migraine symptoms. Many sufferers find using a heating pad or taking a hot shower is beneficial for migraines while others maintain the use of ice packs is the best solution. It’s likely to vary from person to person, so some trial and error will be needed to see which temperature extreme will be most effective.
Some people also find that the consumption of caffeine, a major ingredient in several over-the-counter medications, helps with relieving migraine symptoms. However, too much caffeine is likely to trigger a non-migraine headache later and those who find caffeine triggers their migraines should avoid this measure entirely.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.