Migraine is not just a bad headache, but can leave you with debilitating, throbbing, one-sided head pain that forces you to lie in bed for days. A healthcare specialist can help you manage migraine symptoms and help you lead a healthy life. This blog will help you find answers to questions like: What causes migraines? How long does a migraine last? How to get rid of a migraine, along with related symptoms and treatment options.
Introduction
It has been observed that almost 30 million people in the United States suffer from migraines. Also, in comparison to men, women are more prone to migraine. Migraines are pulsating headaches that usually occur on one side of the head. This pain may intensify with physical activity. Other types of migraines include abdominal, hormonal, and hemiplegic.
What are the different symptoms that may appear before a migraine attack?
There is a certain set of early signs of migraine that occur when experiencing a classic migraine. These warning symptoms are also known as an aura. They appear before the main symptoms and may last up to an hour. At least one in three people experience migraine with these aura symptoms before a migraine attack.
Below are some of the common aura symptoms
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Visual disturbances like flashing or flickering lights, blurred vision, zigzag lines, temporary blindness
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Numbness or a tingling sensation, usually in the face, hands or arms
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Slurred speech
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Poor concentration
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Problem with co-ordination.
What are the symptoms of migraine?
Migraine attacks can happen at any time. It is sometimes even possible to sense when a migraine attack is going to start. Unlike an aura, it can include signs like poor concentration, irritability, food cravings, and fatigue.
Some general symptoms of migraine have been mentioned below:
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A headache lasts from 4 to 72 hours
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Pulsating or throbbing pain just on one side of the head
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Headache that gets worse during physical activity
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Feeling sick or nauseous
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Sensitivity to light and noise.
In most cases, a visit to a general practitioner isn’t needed for mild migraine headaches. However, it is necessary to visit a healthcare specialist if:
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Migraines become more frequent or worsen over time
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The person is over 50 and hasn’t experienced a migraine before
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Experiences aura symptoms which last for more than an hour.
What are the other important facts about migraine?
A migraine lasting more than 72 hours may go away on its own. This type of migraine is known as status migrainosus. See a general practitioner if the migraine doesn’t resolve after 72 hours. When a person gets migraines frequently for more than 15 days every month, then that type is known as a chronic migraine. Be careful of chronic migraine symptoms, as it may require consumption of an increased amount of migraine medication, which may subsequently lead to further headaches known as medication-overuse headaches. This can even increase the risk of anxiety, depression, panic disorders and stroke.
What causes migraine?
Causes of migraine – There isn’t a definite origin of migraine, but it may be caused by a chemical known as serotonin. It has been found that low levels of serotonin can cause changes in the blood vessels in the brain. However, it is not yet known what exactly causes the serotonin levels to change.
The most common migraine triggers are mentioned below.
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Stress
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Changes in sleep patterns
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Poor posture or strain in the neck and shoulders
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Certain foods or drinks like chocolate, cheese, alcohol and caffeine
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Loud noises
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Bright or flickering lights
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Certain smells
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Strenuous exercise
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Skipping meals
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Not drinking enough fluid.
It is advisable to keep a diary, which tracks the symptoms of migraine and what triggers or worsens it. Record all symptoms of a migraine attack, how long it lasts, and the medication you take when it strikes. How long does a migraine last? An untreated headache typically lasts 4 to 72 hours. Tracking this in a diary can help you identify migraine causes and what triggers the migraine or makes it worse. It’s also a good idea to use a cold compress, such as an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel, for migraine relief. Apart from these self-help solutions, a person suffering from migraine could also opt for medicines for migraine relief.
Treatment options
Migraine treatment generally depends on how often the migraine episode occurs and how severe the episode is. In some cases, over-the-counter (OTC) products such as paracetamol or ibuprofen relieve pain, especially when taken early.
There are various medicines available for migraine, among which the most commonly used is Imigran, also known as sumatriptan. Other Sumatriptan options like Suminat 25mg or Suminat 50mg are also available at ReliableRxPharmacy. It narrows blood vessels in the brain, thus reducing the pain caused by migraine attacks. A dose of Imigran 100mg is recommended when a person experiences a migraine attack.
Consult your general practitioner before taking any medicine. Patients with frequent episodes may get relief from preventive medicines that reduce migraine episodes. However, avoid taking painkillers too often, as frequent usage can worsen your condition. Migraine nausea treatment involves a combination of non-oral medications along with natural remedies and environmental adjustments, since the throbbing headache episode often slows down digestion.
Takeaway!
Seek immediate medical care if you develop a sudden or severe migraine episode accompanied by extreme weakness, fainting, confusion, fever with a stiff neck, or visual or speech changes. A migraine episode that lasts more than 72 hours or is getting progressively worse also requires medical attention. With timely treatment, identifying the exact migraine causes, and proper preventive care can help reduce the impact of migraine and help a patient lead a normal life.
