Last Updated: 5 years ago• Featured Tip
What is Migraine?
Migraine is a disorder characterized by repeated attacks of severe headache. migraine headache causes throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on only one side of the head. These headaches are often associated with nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound; they generally last between four hours and three days. Migraine headaches, which are often misdiagnosed as sinus or tension headaches, are severe enough to interfere with sleep, work, and other everyday activities. They may occur as often as several times per week or as rarely as once or twice a year.
Early symptoms can occur as long as 24 hours before any head pain, leaving a migraine sufferer confused and often frightened that something is horribly wrong, says spiritual homoeopathy doctors. Something significant is certainly occurring, but many are often relieved to find out it's "just" a migraine. "While it's disturbing, it's not dangerous. In an attempt to help soothe any future fears -- and maybe dispel some of the very real stigma facing migraine sufferers -
Here are some of the most common signs it's a migraine -- before your head even hurts.
The Prodrome Stage
Migraines typically consist of four stages, although each individual migraine sufferer may not experience all four. Prodrome is the very first, and can start anywhere from 12 to 24 hours before you notice any head pain.
About 60 percent of migraine sufferers experience the symptoms related with this stage, which include:
Constipation or diarrhea
Food cravings
Irritability, confusion, restlessness or difficulty concentrating
Muscle stiffness, especially neck stiffness
Uncontrollable yawning
Increased urination
Fatigue
Depression or euphoria
"Physiologically, there's a kind of cascade of neurochemical events that happen as the migraine begins," says Dr.satish erra , causing this complex web of symptoms.
Right before pain starts or at the beginning of the headache is the second stage, called AURA, which can consist of a host of sensory signs.
About one in five people who get migraines experiences aura, according to WebMD, which can last anywhere from five to 60 minutes,
"Symptoms can be different from person to person, and may change over time,".
Aura, too, is still rather mysterious to experts, but the SPIRITUAL HOMOEOPATHY CLINIC explains it may be due to "an electrical or chemical wave that moves across the part of your brain that processes visual signals." Visual symptoms are the most common, says ,spiritual homoeopathy doctors including:
Spots or flashes of light
Vision loss
Shimmering spots or stars
Other symptoms can include:
Numbness or tingling, especially in the arms, legs or face
Speech problems
Confusion
Generally, aura should resolve pretty quickly, according to spiritual homoeopathy doctors, which is what distinguishes it from the more harrowing health conditions that share similar symptoms. However, if symptoms continue for more than an hour, seek medical attention.
When experiencing AURA for the first time, keeping migraine risk factors in mind can help quell some of the confusion and fear.
Women are more likely than men to have migraines, as is anyone with a family history.
While a blind spot in your vision and some arm numbness might immediately make you think the worst, don't rule a migraine out.
Headache And Postdrome
In stage three, the crux of the headache, intense throbbing pain is no surprise.
Some migraine sufferers experience sensitivity to light, sounds or even smells.
The pain, unfortunately, can last up to 72 hours, before the final stage, postdrome. After the pain subsides, some people may feel drained of energy, while others have reported feeling joyous.
Others may still feel foggy or confused.
TYPES OF MIGRAINE:
A classic migraine follows a set of warning symptoms called aura.
A common migraine strikes without aura.
Common Migraine:
Also called a migraine without aura, common migraine is the most prevalent type of migraine, and it accounts for about 80 percent of patients.
Classic Migraine
Also called migraine with aura.
Menstrual migraine
This type of migraine is related to fluctuating levels in estrogen during a woman's menstrual cycle. Around 60 to 70 percent of female migraine sufferers report a relationship between their migraine headaches and menstruation.
Abdominal Migraine
Abdominal migraine is an episode of moderate to severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting that can last up to 72 hours. It is typically seen in children, especially those with a family history of migraine.
Retinal Migraine
Also known as ocular migraine, retinal migraine involves temporary partial or total loss of vision in one eye that can last an hour or less and is not always accompanied by headache.
Familial Hemiplegic Migraine
This is a very rare inherited condition caused by one of several chromosomes.
Basilar Artery Migraine
Ophthalmoplegic Migraine
Status Migrainosus
This is a rare condition characterized by an extremely severe headache that lasts more than 72 hours. Hospitalization is often required to relieve symptoms.
COMPLICATIONS OF MIGRAINE:
If you get frequent migraines, you may be at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, panic disorders and stroke.
CAUSES OF MIGRAINE:
It s not fully understood what causes migraines, but they may be caused by a chemical called serotonin. Low levels of serotonin cause changes to the blood vessels in your brain.
PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSE:
Pain in the forehead indicates that the person is trying too hard to understand everything without rest.
COMMON TRIGGERS INCLUDE:
stress
changes in sleep patterns
poor posture or tension in your neck and shoulders
certain food or drink commonly chocolate, cheese, alcohol, caffeine
loud noises
bright or flickering lights
certain smells
strenuous exercise if you re not used to it
skipping meals
not drinking enough fluid.
DIAGNOSIS OF MIGRAINE:
There isn t a specific test that can diagnose migraines. Your GP will ask about your symptoms and look for a pattern with possible triggers. This is where your diary can be useful. They will also examine you and may ask about your medical history.
7 HEALTHY HABITS THAT CAN REDUCE YOUR MIGRAINES:
These lifestyle changes can help lessen your risk for migraines - and give you an energy boost to boot!
Eat Regularly
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Quit Smoking
Exercise Gently But Regularly
Practice Relaxation
Enough Sleep...Just Not Too Much .
4 Powerful Nutrients for Fighting Migraines
Magnesium: A diet high in magnesium may help to prevent all kinds of migraines,
Water
Healthy Fats
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are most concentrated in fatty fish, and the monounsaturated fats found in olive oil have both been shown to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches.