Migraine – Causes, Symptoms & Therapy

Migraine

Migraines are throbbing or stabbing headaches that come on suddenly and in spasms . This pain is often accompanied by nausea, blurred vision and sensitivity to light. The headache attacks that are typical of a migraine can last between five hours and three days and are repeated at different intervals.

What is migraine?

The migraine is now considered a widespread disease, because every tenth adult is affected by it. Frequent migraine attacks in particular can become torture for those affected and severely impair their quality of life. There are many different types of migraines. The two most common forms are ‘Common Migraine’ and ‘Classic Migraine’.

Migraines can be recognized by symptoms such as headaches on one or both sides, increased sensitivity to noise and light, nausea to the point of vomiting, a lack of feeling of hunger and in some cases also neurological disorders such as speech and vision disorders as well as numbness . A migraine attack can last anywhere from three hours to three days. Migraine attacks usually come in episodes.

More than 10 percent of the German population suffers from regular migraine attacks. The acute migraine attacks can occur a few times a year or even daily. Migraines are also far more common in women than in men, with the most severe attacks occurring between the ages of 35 and 45.

So-called migraine attacks usually occur in episodes and can last from a few hours to several days.

causes

People who have several cases of migraine in their family are often affected by the disease themselves. In addition to genetic factors, however, other aspects also play a role in the development of migraines.

Although the causes of migraines have not yet been fully researched, scientists assume that certain parts of the brain in those affected are more supplied with blood and react more sensitively to various influences.

The most common cause in women is hormonal imbalances . Severe stress is often the trigger. Even a slight change in normal, accustomed life can result in a migraine attack.

Often a migraine attack is caused by overexertion or exhaustion in general, but also by various foods. Even smells or spices can trigger a migraine attack.

However, an acute migraine attack is usually only triggered when various circumstances occur, which can differ from person to person. These triggering factors include physical or psychological stress, sleep problems or changes in sleep rhythm , changes in hormone balance, weather sensitivity, environmental influences and strong, suppressed feelings.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of migraines:

When there is pounding and pulsing in the skull, it usually only happens on one side of the head. Patients often complain of nausea. In addition, sensitivity to light and smells also occurs.The migraine attack announces itself days in advance with restlessness, ravenous hunger attacks and great thirst. Sleep and digestive disorders can also occur. Every tenth migraine sufferer sees bright flashes of light and colorful, jagged spots before the migraine attack.

Migraines are characterized by sudden and unexpected attacks that lead to severe headaches. The type and location of the headache can vary from attack to attack. The accompanying symptoms also vary and range from nausea and vomiting to sensitivity to light and noise to symptoms of paralysis and disturbances in vision and balance. From this point of view, however, there is no real course of the disease, since the attacks do not necessarily get worse and, unlike many other diseases, the migraine does not spread further.

When to the doctor?

If the typical migraine headache occurs for the first time, a doctor should be consulted within a few days. If your own measures are no longer effective, it is also advisable to consult a doctor.

Morning headaches and severe headaches that significantly impair well-being are best clarified by a doctor in the same week.

Immediate medical attention is indicated when a migraine attack is associated with cramps, paralysis, or loss of consciousness.

People suffering from hormonal disorders, arterial diseases or genetic dispositions should also seek medical advice. Stress, an unhealthy lifestyle and sensory overload are also risk factors and must be discussed with your family doctor.

In addition to the general practitioner, who can diagnose the disease and initiate initial treatment, specialists can be involved in migraine therapy. Depending on the cause, these include neurologists, ophthalmologists and gastroenterologists.

If the symptoms are based on a mental illness, it is advisable to talk to a therapist. In addition, physical therapists and alternative medicine professionals can be involved in the treatment of a migraine.

Diagnose

Since the exact causes of a migraine have not yet been finally clarified, an exact diagnosis is also difficult. Basically, the method of choice is a conversation between the doctor and the patient, in which he describes the exact symptoms of his headache. For example, frequency, duration and intensity of migraine attacks are determined and a diagnosis is made on this basis. Further examinations can also be carried out under certain circumstances in order to rule out other diseases such as tumors or inflammation as the cause of the headache.

If doubts remain after the conversation or if the patient cannot describe his symptoms precisely, it is often recommended to keep a headache diary in which the attacks and their forms are written down and then evaluated by the doctor.

complications

People with migraines rarely experience complications. However, these can be remedied or those affected can prevent them. One of the most common complications of migraines is their chronicity. This usually happens with auraless forms of migraine or through drug abuse. It is striking that the frequency of complications in concomitant mental illnesses is increasing. In addition, women are more likely to suffer from migraines and related complications.

Frequently taken painkillers can make a migraine attack last longer than 72 hours. Severe attacks must be treated with medication. Information about the connections between frequent administration of painkillers and pain intensity must be provided. A migraine aura rarely leads to a circulatory stroke or increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Both can cause permanent damage. The risk of such complications is greatly increased for younger women. If other risk factors such as obesity , diabetes, frequent nicotine consumption or the use of hormonal contraceptives are added, the risk of complications multiplies.

A persistent aura or migralepsy are also rare complications of a migraine. A persistent aura can last up to a week. It can sometimes even persist for months or years. If there is no stroke, there is usually no significant consequential damage. In migratory lepsy, a seizure causes the need for acute treatment. This is triggered by the migraine aura.

treatment and therapy

Medication is usually used to treat an acute migraine attack. The selection of the appropriate drug depends on the frequency of the attacks, the intensity of the pain and the individual tolerance and is therefore not uniform. Traditionally, drugs are used that contain one of the following substances: paracetamol , acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen .

Triptans such as Riza-, Nara-, or Sumatriptan have also proven effective in the treatment of migraines. Patients who also experience nausea and vomiting during an attack can take medications that have a beneficial effect on the digestive system. In addition, it is recommended to allow yourself rest, stay in a dark, quiet room and, if possible, get a lot of sleep.

You can also put a cold compress on your forehead or temples to relieve headaches . In addition, during a migraine attack, try to eat enough to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level, since hypoglycaemia can make symptoms worse.

In addition to tablets against migraines, which are prescribed by the doctor depending on the type of pain, you can also do a lot yourself to alleviate or avoid the next migraine attack. However, strong painkillers often have serious side effects. Liver damage and gastrointestinal problems can occur.

You should definitely avoid stimulants. Alcohol and nicotine should be avoided. Excessive consumption of sweets and chocolate should also be avoided. Fresh fruit, especially apples, should not be missing from the daily menu.

It is also recommended to drink plenty of water. Autogenic training, yoga and music ensure mental balance. Swimming and running are good for physical balance, as is general exercise in nature. Enjoying hobbies can also help relieve stress.

Children and young people also often suffer from migraine attacks. Here it is advisable to work out a plan with a doctor on how best to proceed. The treatment of migraine attacks for adults also applies in principle to children and adolescents.

prevention

There are many effective ways to prevent a migraine attack. If you have migraines more than three times a month, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker .In addition, endurance sports , relaxation exercises, autogenic training , yoga , acupuncture and acupressure have a positive influence.

In addition, it is important for sufferers to learn techniques that will help them cope with stress and pain. Getting enough sleep is just as important as eating a healthy, balanced diet and eating regularly.

Basically, one should observe under which circumstances the symptoms are strongest and strictly avoid these triggers. These measures can help reduce the frequency of acute attacks and can help keep the intensity of symptoms low.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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