Why does migraine appear and how is it treated? The doctor named effective methods

Why does migraine appear and how is it treated? The doctor named effective methods

These tips will help relieve the agonizing symptoms.

General practitioner, family physician of VSK Digital Clinic

“Migraine is a serious neurological condition characterized by acute attacks of intense headache. Symptoms and signs of the disorder vary for everyone, but here are some of the most common.”

Migraine symptoms

• The main sign of a migraine is severe, throbbing or throbbing pain, usually localized to one side of the head. It can be so intense that it limits the patient’s normal activities.
• The duration of attacks varies from a few hours to several days. Most often, however, they last from 4 to 72 hours.
• Many patients with the disorder become overly sensitive to light (photophobia) and sounds (auditory hyperacusis) during the pain.

• Migraine can be accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting. These symptoms can be so severe that even drinking water can cause discomfort.
• Some people may experience what is known as an aura – temporary neurological symptoms such as vision changes (lightning, distortions), tinnitus, dizziness, and numbness in the hands or face. These can warn of an impending migraine and can last from a few minutes to an hour.
• After an attack, patients often feel general weakness and fatigue, which can persist for several days.

Causes of migraine

The occurrence of migraine is due to many factors, and its exact causes are not fully known. However, there are a number of factors and triggers that can contribute to the development of the ailment in susceptible individuals:

• family history plays an important role. If your relatives have had migraine, you also have an increased risk of developing the condition;
• changes in brain neurochemical processes, such as an imbalance of neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin), may play a role in the development of the disorder;
• migraine may be associated with temporary vascular changes in the brain, such as dilation and constriction of blood vessels (vascular dysfunction);

• certain foods and food ingredients, including chocolate, cheese, red wine, artificial additives, can trigger attacks in some people;
• severe stress, anxiety, and emotional strain can be triggers;
• intense physical activity or sudden changes in activity trigger seizures.
• Lack of sleep or changes in sleep patterns can also trigger migraine;
• bright lights, strong odors, changes in atmospheric pressure and other environmental factors influence the onset of pain.

It’s important to realize that each person may have unique triggers, and what triggers a migraine in one person may not affect another. If you are prone to headaches, it is important to discuss strategies for treating and controlling this condition with your doctor.

Features of migraine in women

Migraine in women may have some specific characteristics related to hormonal changes, menstrual cycle, and pregnancy.

Here are some of them:

• many women experience what is known as menstrual migraine, which is associated with cyclical changes. It can start a few days before menstruation begins and continue through the first few days of your period. This form of migraine is usually more intense and longer lasting;
• hormonal changes in women, such as changes in estrogen and progesterone levels, can affect the onset of migraines. For example, many people report an increase in headaches during pregnancy or when taking oral contraceptives;

• some women experience an increase in migraine during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. However, in others, the pain may decrease or even disappear;
• after menopause, some people’s migraines disappear altogether, possibly due to a decrease in hormonal changes.

If you have migraines and notice that they are associated with certain phases of your menstrual cycle or other hormonal changes, it is important to discuss this with a specialist.

Migraine in children

Migraine can also occur in children, although its manifestations and characteristics may differ from those seen in adults.

Here are some of the characteristics of migraine in children:

• unlike longer attacks in adults, headaches in children often last less than an hour;
• migraine in children may be accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea;
• there is a possibility of irritability, apathy, or behavioral changes during an attack.
• If one or both parents have migraine, this increases the risks of the child developing migraine.

It is important to note that diagnosing migraine in children can be difficult because of the way symptoms are expressed. Your doctor will perform the necessary tests and help develop a plan to manage the condition for your child.

What to do for migraines

• Make sure you are in a calm and quiet environment. Resting in a room without bright lights can help reduce discomfort.
• Applying a cold compress to your forehead or the back of your head reduces pain. Wrap ice in a soft cloth to avoid frostbite on the skin. Some people find relief from migraines by applying heat, such as a hot compress, to the head or neck.
• Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques also reduce stress and tension, which can reduce migraines.
• Make sure you’re drinking enough water to avoid dehydration making symptoms worse.
• Try to identify factors that contribute to your migraines and try to avoid them. This may include certain foods, stress, sleep changes, etc.
• Depending on the intensity and frequency of your migraine attacks, your doctor will prescribe specific medications to relieve symptoms or prevent attacks.

Migraine treatment

Treatment of migraine from the perspective of evidence-based medicine includes different approaches, depending on the intensity of symptoms, frequency of attacks and individual characteristics of the patient.

Lifestyle plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of migraine attacks:

• going to the doctor and taking medications as prescribed by him;
• getting regular sleep and creating a stable sleep and wake-up schedule reduces the risk of migraine;
• avoiding trigger foods (e.g. chocolate, cheese, red wine) and eating regular meals can prevent migraines;
• regular exercise can reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks;
• relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy can reduce stress and attacks.

It is important to remember that the effectiveness of these methods varies depending on individual characteristics and severity of migraine. If you have frequent attacks or they are accompanied by severe pain and other symptoms, it is recommended to see a doctor for consultation and diagnosis.