Migraine is a neurological condition, often considered just a headache but it is more than that. It doesn’t just cause a headache but a cluster of other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, light sensitivity and many more. Migraines are more intense and disruptive because of the palpitating pain on one side of the head. During a migraine attack, other symptoms can also affect a patient at the same time or maybe all at once, making the condition worse and intolerable. Migraines often stay longer than a common headache and can be triggered by certain factors. Self-treatment using painkiller drugs and taking home remedies for migraine can provide relief but it can take a wrong turn if the core of the cause is left unidentified. To identify the root cause of migraine disorder, one can connect with Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital for the best medical assistance and 24/7 emergency care.

Understanding Migraines With And Without Aura

One of the main differences between migraines with aura and without aura is that migraines with aura let migraineurs experience some warning signs before migraine attacks.

Migraines With Aura: It is believed that one out of three migraineurs experience migraines with aura. Aura is generally a neurological symptom affecting vision and other senses, such as speech and movement. So people experiencing migraines with aura can spot symptoms like visual distortion, speaking impairments and sudden jerks in the body.

Migraines Without Aura: Migraines without auras are much more common and in this condition, migraineurs just experience pain and other symptoms like nausea, vomiting and extreme tiredness.

Stages of Migraine

There are four specific stages in which migraines develop. Understanding these stages can help you distinguish between a common headache and a migraine. Not all migraineurs go through all the stages. Stages include:

Prodrome: Prodrome is the first phase of migraine episode and it can occur hours before a headache and symptoms like muscle aches, sensitivity to light and noise and difficulty in concentration are common in this stage.

Aura: Aura can occur before and during a headache and it affects different senses like visual, auditory, or physical. It can last for more than an hour.

Attack: In this stage, pain usually on one side of the head starts over and becomes worse. It lasts for several hours and migraineurs experience sickness and vomiting in this stage of migraine.

Postdrome or Resolution: After the severe attack or cluster of migraine attacks a person gets extremely tired and doesn’t feel well for a couple of days. Some migraineurs also feel elated or euphoric after the attacks, that’s why this stage is sometimes known as migraine “hangover”.

Causes and Triggers of Migraine

Scientists and researchers are still looking for the exact cause of migraine, it can be related to your genes or some chemical changes in your brain. There are certain factors that can trigger migraine or contribute to the development of this neurological condition in some people.

Some factors that can trigger migraine include:

Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menstruation cycle can trigger migraines in women.

Genetics: Genetics can also play a role in developing this condition, a person having a family history of migraine is at risk of getting migraine.

Depression or Anxiety: When you’re depressed or stressed, your brain releases certain chemicals that affect blood flow in the brain and that can trigger migraine episodes.

Certain foods and drinks: Consumption of alcohol and caffeine, nuts, chocolate, cheese and certain citrus fruits can also trigger migraine.

Environmental Factors: Exposure to bright or flickering lights, strong smells, loud noises, smoking and weather changes, are some of the environmental factors that can trigger migraine.

Treatments and Diagnosis

Certain medications can help manage the symptoms of migraine and people can take several measures and steps to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine episodes. Painkillers temporarily help migraineurs with reducing the pain but these medications can have side effects too.

Taking medications in the early stage of migraine can reduce the possibilities of worsening of condition. Avoid overuse of these medicines, take only after the prescription of physicians. Migraine attacks happens in response to the triggers so avoid them by bringing changes in your lifestyle.

Some non-drug treatments include acupuncture, neck exercises or therapy. Some steps that one can follow to prevent them from experiencing migraine episodes are such as staying in quiet and dim lighted room, sleeping when necessary and maintaining right sleep patterns.

Conclusion

Migraine is a complex medical condition and it can affect a person’s life drastically. Understanding the phases of migraine can help you understand whether you are having primary headache or you are developing a neurological condition. Identifying various symptoms and triggers and taking some steps, medicines can help reduce migraine episodes’ frequency and severity. Living with a neurological condition like migraine can affect person’s wellbeing and quality of life and can lead a person to depression and anxiety so it becomes significantly important to seek medical attention. Connect with Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital that offers right medical attention and 24/7 emergency care.

Disclaimer

Though all attempts are made to provide correct information on the subject, inadvertent & typographical errors arising out of manual intervention cannot be ruled out. Any such discrepancies should be brought to the blogger's notice for correction.