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Migraine refers to painful and severe headache. Along with headache numerous sensory forewarning symptoms like blind spot, nausea, flashes of light, vomiting, tingling of legs and arms and enhanced sensitivity to light and sound may occur. It generally affects a part of the head, though in some severe cases the pain persists in both sides. The pain can last up to 72 hours and sometimes even more. It may occur due to genetic factors or environmental disorder. It can occur from stress, allergies or excess amount of light. The victim can easily identify the root cause. Some even get a kind of warning signal before the severe headache. It can be prevented to quite a large extent by working on the warning signs. Although in layman’s term it is similar to headache it actually occurs due to specific physiologic alterations that occur within the brain, which may lead to pain.
Symptoms Related to Migraine
The symptoms can be felt at any time, be it before the headache, after or even during the headache. Though all migraine is not the same, the common symptoms are explained below.
The pain is throbbing, severe or pulsing pain.
The pain tends to increase during any physical activity or straining.
The daily routine gets hampered due to severe pain. The victim would not be able to perform his routine activities.
Physically vomiting or tendency of vomiting.
The sensitivity towards light increases and the patient would prefer to lie in dark quiet room.
Other uneasiness may occur in the body such as
Sweating
Diarrhea
Stomach ache
Change in body temperature
Some severe and unusual signs like
Severe headache
Loss of sensation
Difficulty in speaking
Visual disturbance should never be ignored under any circumstances.
For severe pains auras act as the warning sign. Auras are perceptual disorder such as
Confusion in experiences and thought process.
Formation of Zig-zag lines the visual field.
Black patches or blind spots in vision.
Difficulty in speaking.
Feeling of unpleasant smell.
Stiffness or immobility in limbs, neck and shoulder.
Vision of sparkling, strange or flashing light.
What Are the Causes for Migraine?
There are several issues that may trigger a migraine to occur. The common factors are as follows.
Hormonal change in women: The change in the level of estrogen is a major cause that may cause a headache to occur. Sometimes women tend to have severe headache just before or during their monthly cycle when the level of estrogen reduces to a huge extent. Sometimes the frequency of headache increases during pregnancy. It tends to get reduced after menopause. It may also occur due to consumption of other hormonal medications such as hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives.
Food: Aged cheese, processed food or even salty food may cause severe headache to occur. Skipping meals or fast may increase the frequency as well.
Drinks: Consumption of alcohol especially wine or even caffeinated beverages may lead to headache.
Sensory stimuli: Exposure to direct sunlight or even bright light as well as loud sound may also lead to increase of headache. Strong smell such as paint thinner, strong perfume or smoke can also lead to headache.
Change in environment: Change in the weather condition or even pressure can lead to pain.
Family history: It may tend to occur if any family member has the frequent headaches.
Age: It may occur during the 30s and the severity and frequency tends to get reduced with passing years.
If you face any of such symptoms then try to get the migraine treated before it gets worse.