Migraines:
Migraines are described as a throbbing headache, usually located on one side of the head. This is accompanied by sensitivity to light/sounds & possible nausea. This combo usually prevents anyone experiencing it to delay daily activities. About 40 million American have migraines that usually start during adolescence or early 20’s. 70% of those affected with migraines are women.
Types of Migraines
- Hemiplegic migraine: Short period of paralysis on one side of the body. This can also be signs of a stroke.
- Vestibular migraine: Balance problems, vertigo, nausea, and vomiting whether you have a headache or not.
- Abdominal migraine: Causes stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Ophthalmic migraine: Also known as ocular or retinal migraine which causes partial or total loss of vision in one eye. It comes with a dull ache in the back of the eye which could spread to your head eventually.
- Silent migraine: Known as acephalgic migraine. Aura symptoms without the headache.
- Status migrainosus: This is a sever type of migraine that can last more than 72 hours. The nausea and pain afflicted can get so intense that you may need to go to a hospital.
- Menstrual migraine: Linked to a woman’s period.
Although there is no cure for migraines, there is medication that can be used to prevent or even help with the pain. Most migraines don’t cause lasting harm but there’s a rare case that you can get a migrainous infarction or hemiplegic migraine. A migrainous infarction is having a stoke as well as the migraine at the same time. A hemiplegic migraine can sometimes lead to a coma or other serious complications. If your headache doesn’t go away or its comes out of nowhere very intense, you should visit a doctor.
What Causes Migraines?
Even though migraines aren’t understood to the fullest, genetics and environments play an important role. There is a decent amount of migraine triggers and they are:
- Foods
- Food additives
- Medication
- Weather changes
- Sleep changes
- Stress
- Drinks
- Hormonal changes in women
Risks
Family history ties in with risks of migraines. If you have a family member that experiences migraines, then you will most likely have a chance of developing them as well. Migraines can start at any age though the usually peak around your 30’s and can decrease in severity in the decades to follow. Sex wise, women are three times more likely than men to have migraines. Experiencing migraines during menstruation sometimes have headaches that begin before or afterward. Migraines usually improve after menopause.
Treating Migraines
- Find calm environment
- Turn off lights
- Apply hot or cold compresses to your head/neck area
- Drink caffeine
- Sleep well
- Eat consistently
- Don’t skip meals
- Exercise regularly
- Manage your stress
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201
https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-migraines
https://www.healthline.com/health/migraine
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148373