Overview Causes of Migraine Headaches
A migraine is a neurological disorder that is characterized by headaches. These headaches are different from the usual headaches and may present itself with other signs like nausea and sensitivity to light.
Here is an overview of causes and symptoms of migraine headaches along with their treatment options.
A migraine attack is characterized by a headache on one side of the head, which eventually spreads to the entire head. Migraine headaches can be very severe. Migraines are painful enough to hinder with one’s daily routine. These headaches and symptoms may vary from person to person and so does the treatment for the same. Some of the symptoms of a migraine headache are as follows:
- Throbbing pain that gets worse when moving
- Nausea
- Headaches that last sometimes up to 72 hours
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Lightheadedness
These symptoms may vary from person to person. Headaches are diagnosed as a migraine only when the symptoms associated have been presented five or more times. The doctors check the patient history while diagnosing migraines.
While there are no definite causes of migraine headaches, there are some factors that may trigger it. There are different theories about it. One of the theories is that these headaches are caused due to the inflamed nerves in the brain, which cause a headache. One of the common factors that are known to trigger a migraine attack is stress. Individuals who have a migraine are advised to stay as stress-free as possible to keep the migraine headaches at bay. Other than stress, an imbalanced food and sleep cycle can also trigger these headaches. However, these factors differ for every individual. This is why doctors recommend keeping a track of the symptoms and days when a person gets a migraine attack. One can maintain a migraine diary and jot down the times one has a migraine and in what situations and other details like the symptoms and how long it lasted. This can also help in understanding the frequency of the migraine headaches.
There are two kinds of medications available for migraines. These are abortive and prophylactic. The abortive medications help in relieving any of the symptoms in the acute phase whereas the prophylactic medications are used for preventing the migraine attacks. The latter is considered when a person gets these attacks more than two times in a month to help the individuals go about their life conveniently and without the pain.
Apart from the medicines, individuals may do things that help alleviate the symptoms based on their past experience. For example, some patients with a migraine found that lying down during these attacks helped them stay comfortable and relieve the pain to an extent.
It is advisable to visit a doctor if you feel that you experience the signs and symptoms of a migraine headache. An assessment by a doctor may help you understand and be sure of what you are experiencing. A doctor will only be the right person to recommend the best treatment for you.
