A migraine is a medical disorder that causes excruciating, recurrent headaches as well as other symptoms. A headache of this kind is a migraine attack. It often affects one side of the head in a throbbing, pulsating manner. It frequently comes with high sensitivity to light and sound as well as nausea and vomiting.
The pain from a migraine attack can be so intense that it interferes with a person’s capacity to work or study, interfering with their regular activities, and can persist for hours or even days. An episode might last many days and typically happens in stages.
People can be affected by migraine in various ways, and the causes, intensity, symptoms, and frequency might change. Some people experience multiple episodes each week, whilst others just seldom do.
A warning sign known as an aura may appear before or simultaneous with the headache. Auras can include speech difficulties, tingling on one side of the face or in an arm or leg, as well as vision problems like light flashes or blind spots.
Medication may be used to both prevent and lessen the pain of some migraines. It may be beneficial to take the right drugs along with self-help methods and lifestyle changes. Others opt for natural remedies instead of taking medications.
You could be more susceptible to migraines because of:
- Age – Although migraines can strike at any time, the likelihood of your first one occurring in your teens is higher. The intensity of the headaches often peaks in your 30s and declines as you age.
- Sex – About three times as many women as men are likely to acquire them.
- Genetics – You are more likely to experience migraine headaches if someone in your family does.
If you have a migraine, you may experience the following:
- an aura or light haze a few minutes prior to the onset of migraine headache
- fuzzy or blurry vision
- one side of your head hurts
- nausea
- sensitivity to light, touch, scent, or sound
Although most are aware of how their migraines begin, they are unsure of the cause. What makes them more susceptible to these terrible headaches than some other people?
Doctors are unsure of the exact origin of migraine headaches, and scientists believe chemical imbalances in the brain may be a factor.
Our eyes, mouth, and trigeminal nerves are all located in our heads. It also aids in facial feelings and is a significant pain channel. At the beginning of a migraine, our serotonin levels may drop, and this nerve may then produce neurotransmitters, which travel to our brains and create pain.
5 Causes of Migraine You Should Watch Out For
The specific origins or causes of migraines continue to elude medical professionals. What they have been able to identify thus far are the possible migraine triggers.
They think certain triggers, like those provided below, are related to migraine attacks:
- Specific foods and drinks – Processed foods with added salt and aged cheeses, such as blue cheese, are known triggers. They may also be brought on by the artificial sweetener aspartame and the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Coffee, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol do their share of causing excruciating migraines. So does skipping or missing meals, as this will lower your blood sugar and result in a headache.
- Sensory overload – For some people, loud noises, bright lights, and strong odors might cause headaches.
- Stress – One of the most typical migraine triggers is this. Your brain releases chemicals that activate your “fight or flight” reaction when you’re under stress. Worry, fear, and anxiety can increase tension and aggravate migraines.
- Hormones – Women may experience migraines because of changes in the hormone estrogen. Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills might cause headaches or exacerbate existing ones. However, some women get fewer migraines when they use these drugs.
- Changes – These involve changes in the weather and sleeping patterns. Changes in the weather are a big trigger for migraines due to the change in the overall air pressure. Changing sleep patterns, too much or too little sleep can cause migraines too. So does traveling between time zones and jetlag.
While we may not be able to completely avoid migraine triggers, certain straightforward measures, such as consistent, good-quality sleep, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management, may help us stop them before they even begin. Recognizing and avoiding triggers can frequently help decrease the frequency or intensity of episodes. Further, the symptoms of migraines can be managed with medication and other treatments.
Migraines may interfere with our everyday activities and wreak havoc in our lives, but consulting your healthcare provider will point you in the right direction on how better to manage these attacks. Looking into migraine clinical trials can provide better options and answers to your migraine questions. This is where you can discover more evidence-based information, specialists, and resources for migraines.