Ways to Deal with Migraine Headaches
What is a migraine headache?
What is a migraine headache?
Migraine headaches are chronic, recurring vascular headaches, often occurring more than 15 days a month, with episodes lasting anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. According to medicinenet.com, migraines are caused by the enlargement of blood vessels that "causes the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the large arteries of the brain". The enlarged blood vessels stretch the nerves coiling around them, causing the nerves to release chemicals, and these chemicals cause "inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery", thus increasing the pain.
Symptoms of migraines:
1) During a migraine episode a person's sympathetic nervous system is activated, causing "primitive" body responses such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea to fight the pain. This increased activity can also cause a sensitivity to light and sound, blurred vision, decreased blood circulation, cold hands and feet, facial pallor, increased pain with physical activity, and also the body's reduced ability to absorb oral medications that could relieve some of the pain.
2) People suffering a migraine usually experience intense throbbing on one side of the head (unilateral). Some people experience throbbing on both sides of the head (bilateral). Some people also experience pain in the forehead area and at the back of the head. Unilateral migraines usually alternate sides of the head from one episode to another. If they don't, this could be indicative of another more serious medical condition, such as a tumor.
3) Some of the less common types of migraines may exhibit more serious symptoms involving neurological dysfunction (usually temporary), such as fainting, dizziness, double vision, weakness, stroke-mimicking paralysis, and in rare cases permanent blindness.
Warning signs of an impending migraine:
Medicinenet.com lists several warning signs that can occur prior to a migraine attack:
1) Yawning, sleepiness and fatigue
2) A craving for sugary or salty foods
3) Depression or euphoria
4) An "aura" which can include flashing bright zigzagging lights, a hole (scotoma), also called a "blind spot", in the field of vision. Less typical auras may include a pins-and-needles feeling in the hand, arm, mouth or nose, usually on the same side. The person may also experience abnormal tastes, smells, even hallucinatory sounds.
5) Following a migraine a person may experience fatigue, even a lingering headache and some sensitivity to light and sound.
What can help?
Although there are no permanent cures yet for treating migraine headaches, there are preventive and therapeutic steps you can take that may offer some help. Medicinenet.com offers the following suggestions:
1) Preventive measures - maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of sleep, plenty of fluids, exercise and a healthy diet. Avoid triggers such as cigarette smoke, caffeine, aspartame, chocolate, alcohol including wine, aged cheeses and other foods and beverages high in tyramine, msg, sulphites and nitrites. Bright lights, stress, fasting, sleep disturbances and hormonal changes such as during menstruation can also trigger a migraine.
2) Biofeedback, relaxing exercises, acupuncture and extra sleep have been shown to offer some relief during a migraine episode. Applying ice may also help.
3) Over-the-counter pain medications can provide some short term help for the milder types of migraines. For moderate to severe migraines there are more heavy duty prescribed medications including "prophylactic", "abortive" and "narcotic" medications, some with serious side effects. Always consult with your physician to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
4) Botox injections have proven effective in treating patients suffering from chronic migraines. Previously known for its effectiveness in cosmetic enhancement, the FDA gave its approval this past October 2010 for Botox to be marketed as a treatment for chronic migraine headaches. Treatment is very expensive, especially if not covered by insurance. Eligibility for the Botox treatment comes with some restrictions as only those people suffering at least 15 migraine episodes per month will qualify. Botox hasn't proven effective for those suffering less than 15 episodes. Hopefully Botox will offer some real hope for many people who have suffered a lifetime of migraine headaches.
Ways to Deal with Migraine Headaches
By: kalpendra
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