subject: Chiropractor Fitchburg Wi | Migraines: Know Your Symptoms And Treatments [print this page] According to Wikipedia, migraines are defined as "a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily perceptions, severe headaches, and nausea." It is described as worse than a normal headache occurring more often in women than in men.
Migraines have a variety of symptoms and treatments. However, before you can treat a migraine, you must first recognize the symptoms.
Symptoms of a Migraine -
Migraines are more than just "bad headaches." They are physiologically different and the signs are unmistakable.
"Migraines are unilateral -
oUnlike a normal headache, a migraine generally only affects one side of the head.
oIn many cases, the pain is described to be behind an eye or on just one side of the head.
oMost people who experience migraines will typically have the pain on the same side of the head each time. Occasionally, the pain will occur on the other side.
"Photophobia -
oSufferers of migraines will have an unusual sensitivity to light.
oIt will more than hurt their eyes. In many cases, migraines sufferers will seek out complete darkness to recover.
"Nausea & Vomiting -
oWhile regular headaches simply hurt, many migraine sufferers will find they experience nausea and vomiting with the headache.
oThis tends to be the tell tale sign common to nearly all migraine sufferers.
"Auras & Smells -
oSome people will see an aura shortly before a migraine occurs.
oOther people will experience a faint smell before the migraine.
"It has been reported that a citrus smell precedes a migraine.
" Hormone Fluctuations -
oReferred to as menstrual migraines, migraines have a tendency to follow the menstrual cycle.
oPregnancy has been known to trigger migraines.
Treatment for Migraines -
The most common treatment is over-the-counter medication (OTC). While this can provide temporary relief, it does nothing for the prevention of future migraines.
If you think you suffer from migraines, seek out treatment from a doctor or chiropractor. Doctors can prescribe prescription medications to prevent future migraines from occurring. Chiropractors can help treat any physical problems related to the migraine and many work with nutritionists that can help with nutritional deficiencies.
When a migraine does occur, there are a few things you can do to help get immediate relief. This includes:
"Lying down in a dark room
"Placing a cold eye mask over your eyes
"Removing yourself from any sounds
"Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen
"Taking over-the-counter migraine medication (Generally, these contain a combination of analgesics and caffeine)
When to Seek Professional Help -
If you think you suffer from migraines, the only way to know for sure is to be diagnosed by a doctor. You need to seek help immediately if you experience any of the following:
"It is the worst headache of your life
"The headache or migraine does not go away after a day
"You experience blurred vision, dizziness or vertigo
These symptoms could mean a more serious illness and should be checked immediately. If you experience any of the above, seek medical help immediately.
