I suffer from migraine headaches. Plagued for many years, I do not know why I get them and the doctors have a wide variety of opinions. Today’s migraine was a doozy.
If you have every had a migraine you Read the rest of this entry »
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by
Brian Rome
Migraine headaches are classified into various categories based on their symptoms. Currently, two types Read the rest of this entry »
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Migraine affects about 15 in every 100 people in the UK and is most common in adults aged between 20 and 50. However, migraines may start in childhood and persist into old age. About eight in 10 people who have migraines have a family history of them.
People who get migraines are completely symptom-free between attacks and have an average of around 13 migraines per year.
The most common types of migraine are classic migraine (migraine with aura) and common migraine (migraine without aura). Other types of migraine include aura without headache and abdominal migraine.
You may be able to sense when a migraine attack is about to start. Irritability, lack of concentration, food cravings and tiredness can all alert you that you’re getting a migraine.
Around one in 10 people have aura with their migraines. Aura symptoms usually last less than an hour and begin before the headache symptoms (which are the same as for common migraine).
Common aura symptoms include visual disturbances (such as flashing/flickering lights, zigzag lines and even temporary blindness), numbness, tingling sensations and slurred speech. Other aura symptoms include a stiff neck, weakness on one side, partial paralysis, confusion or fainting.
A common migraine causes a persistent and severe throbbing or pounding pain, usually on one side of your head (although there may be pressure on both sides). You may also become sensitive to light, sound and movement and you may feel sick, vomit and/or have diarrhoea. An attack usually lasts between four and 72 hours but you may feel tired for several days afterwards.
These symptoms may be caused by problems other than migraines. You should visit your GP for advice.
It’s particularly important that you see your GP if you have any of the following.
Occasionally, migraines can last for much longer than 72 hours and don’t respond to standard treatment. This type of migraine is known as status migrainosus, and you may need to go to hospital for pain relief and to treat dehydration caused by vomiting.
If you have migraines on more than 15 days per month, this is known as chronic migraine. People with chronic migraine often have to take increasing amounts of medication to control their migraines. In turn, this can lead to further headaches, known as medication-overuse headaches (also called rebound or withdrawal headaches).
Migraine has also been found to be associated with an increased risk of anxiety and panic disorder, depression and stroke (where the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked).
It’s thought that migraine symptoms occur when there is a sudden change in the level of a chemical in the brain (a neurotransmitter) called serotonin. This then affects other neurotransmitters and causes changes in the blood vessels in the brain. It’s not yet known exactly what causes the serotonin levels to change.
You may find that your migraines are caused by specific foods or drinks, by exposure to particular noises, smells or lights, or by other identifiable triggers. Steering clear of these triggers can help to prevent migraines from occurring.
Hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle or as a result of taking oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy and menopause can all affect the frequency and severity of migraines in some women.
Migraines are more common in people with depression, and depression is more common in people who have migraines. Researchers are investigating whether treating depression can help relieve migraines and vice versa.
To see this full article go to BUPA / Migraine
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