General Information On Migraine Headaches

General Information on Migraine Headaches

A severe migraine is often confused with a severe headache. There is a major difference between the two. Though they both are headaches, the pattern of occurrence, the pain area differ from each other. Migraine sufferers usually complain of terrible, continuous, paralyzing pain on one side of the head that is aggravated more with loud sound, heat, caffeine and sunlight. Severe migraine sufferers may not even be able to go to work or to school regularly and may be suffering from anti-social problems.

How Does a Migraine Occur?

When the blood arteries around the brain start constricting, blood flow is restrained to the brain. The arteries then either widen up or in some cases dilate. This causes sensory disturbances and finally the much fearful head pain. While suffering from migraine, a person must take care not to trigger it by avoiding any triggering factor such as coffee, cheese, food additives, monosodium glutamate and the varied frizzy, caffeine loaded drinks. Physical and emotional stress, are also one of the most crucial triggers of migraine headaches.

Symptoms of Migraine

If you have a persistent headache that is severe, throbbing and occurring on just one side of the head, you may be a victim of migraine. Common headaches do not occur frequently and even if they do, the pain is not restricted to one side. Different people suffer different types of migraines and each one of them may have varied warning symptoms too. Here are some common symptoms that could help you distinguish between migraine and a common headache.

1). Before the onset of migraine, there are certain symptoms that warn the sufferer of a coming migraine. The warning symptoms may be dizziness, a nauseated feeling, and light flashing across the eyes and a sudden sense of extreme lethargy. Some people may also experience vomiting and even paralytic feelings in some parts of the body. The pain area itself may be numb and cold.

2). The length of the migraine also differs. Some people experience it just for a few hours, while for others it may last several days, with the pain varying at different levels. Some people may experience multiple migraines, whereas some may have it once or twice in several years.

3). A number of female migraine sufferers, find it occurring in a severe form during the onset of the menstrual cycle. The pain may last for days and only gets over when the periods have stopped. Some also experience it a day or two before the onset of periods, or it can also be a part of premenstrual syndrome.

Treatment of Migraine

Anti-inflammatory drugs that have acetaminophen and ibuprofen could be used to ease the pain of a migraine, but it does contain heavy side effects and should be taken only if directed by a physician. You may need to visit a surgeon, if the migraine is very severe and is not controlled through regular drugs. Some people would have to have a surgery done, whereas others would stay on drugs for a particular time period. There are also natural cures and acupuncture methods to treat migraine, but successful treatment cannot be guaranteed in any case.

Be careful of misdiagnosis, therefore always consult from more than one doctors. It is advised you visit a special surgeon instead of your personal doctor, as they would diagnose you better.