You only need to suffer from a few bad headaches before you start to wonder: Are these perhaps migraines, and not just lack of caffeine or stress headaches?
Around 40% of the population are believed to suffer from some kind of headache disorder, and while the exact cause of migraines is unknown, much is known about the symptoms and how individual episodes can be triggered.
Migraines are a neurological disorder that present as recurrent attacks of headache, often, though not always, on one side of the head.
The pain is described as dull and throbbing, which becomes more stabbing and pounding in nature with physical exertion.
Nausea, vomiting and hypersensitivity to light, noise, and sometimes, smells are common.
Those affected also have a strong need for rest.
Migraine most often begins at puberty and peaks between the ages of 35 and 45.
After age 50, attacks often become milder and less frequent.
Women are up to three times more frequently affected than men.
In adults, symptoms without treatment typically last several hours and up to a maximum of three days.
Longer-lasting attacks are rare.
If a migraine attack persists, standard painkillers in combination with anti-nausea medication can help.
There are also prescription medicines (triptans), which should be taken only on a doctor’s advice.
All medications work best if taken at the start of an attack.
They must not be taken too frequently or over long periods, as this could worsen and perpetuate migraine.
Experts recommend not taking painkillers or migraine medication on more than 10 days per month.
ALSO READ: Many drugs treat migraines but triptans are the best
Around 15% to 25% of patients report aura symptoms before the headache attack, including:
- Visual disturbances with flickering vision
- Visual field defects (parts of the field of view appear missing or blurred)
- Sensory disturbances on one side of the body
- Speech disturbances.
ALSO READ: What’s that migraine aura all about?
The exact reasons why some people suffer from migraines and others don’t remain elusive to science.
However, it is believed that they are caused by the release of pain-producing inflammatory substances around nerves and blood vessels in the head.
Studies show beneficial effects from regular endurance exercise and muscle relaxation techniques.
When it comes to specific episodes, many patients also report common migraine triggers, such as:
- Alcohol
- Sleep deprivation
- Skipping meals
- Inadequate fluid intake
- Stress.
Adjusting behaviour in these areas can generally reduce the number of migraine attacks, health experts say. – dpa
