| There are people who can tell when they are | | | | minutes prior to the headache. Auras may |
| about to have migraine. These people usually | | | | either be visual or non visual. Visual |
| see bright shimmering lights around objects, | | | | migraines, also called scintillating |
| zigzag lines or wavy images. Others | | | | scotomas, are described as bright flashing |
| experience hallucinations or temporary loss | | | | lights or glares at the edges of the field of |
| of vision. | | | | vision. |
| | | | |
| What is Migraine? | | | | Non-visual auras include motor weakness, |
| | | | speech or language difficulties, vertigo, |
| Migraine is a condition described as a very | | | | dizziness, and the tingling sensation or |
| painful type of headache, with a throbbing | | | | numbness of the face, tongue, or extremeties. |
| and pulsating pain intensified by routine | | | | |
| physical activities, coughing, straining, or | | | | Migraine without aura is the most common type |
| lowering of the head. The debilitating pain | | | | and may occur on one (unilateral) or both |
| is so severe that it interferes with daily | | | | sides (bilateral) of the head. Fatigue or |
| activities. Oftentimes, migraine sufferers | | | | mood changes may occur the day prior to the |
| end up feeling weak and fatigued once the | | | | headache. |
| headache is gone. | | | | |
| | | | Abdominal migraine is most prevalent in |
| People with migraine headaches start | | | | children with a family history of migraine. |
| experiencing pain in a specific area on one | | | | Symptoms include abdominal pain without a |
| side of the head. Later on, the pain spreads | | | | gastro-intestinal cause (may last up to 72 |
| and builds in intensity for one to two hours, | | | | hours), nausea, vomiting, and flushing or |
| and then gradually subsides. However, | | | | paleness. Children who have abdominal |
| migraine headache can last up to 24 hours | | | | migraine often develop typical migraine as |
| long, and in some cases, even for several | | | | they grow older. |
| days. | | | | |
| | | | Basilar artery migraine is the disruption of |
| Migraine is generally more common in women | | | | the basilar artery in the brainstem |
| than in men and may occur at any age between | | | | characterized by intense headache, vertigo, |
| 10 to 40, then diminishes at the age of 50. | | | | double vision, slurred speech, and poor |
| | | | muscle coordination. This is prevalent among |
| Causes of Migraine | | | | the youth. |
| | | | |
| T here is no known causes of migraine, a | | | | Carotidynia, also known as lower-half |
| condition which may result from a series of | | | | headache or facial migraine, is described as |
| reactions in the central nervous system due | | | | deep, dull aching and sometimes piercing pain |
| to changes in the body or in the environment. | | | | in the jaw or neck where there is tenderness |
| Oftentimes, a family history of the disorder | | | | and swelling over the carotid artery in the |
| suggets that migraine sufferers may inherit | | | | neck. This is most common in older people and |
| sensitivity to trigger that impair the blood | | | | may occur several times weekly and last a few |
| vessels and nerves in the brain, thereby | | | | minutes to hours. |
| causing pain. | | | | |
| | | | Headache-free migraine is having the presence |
| Triggers | | | | of aura without the headache. This is common |
| | | | to patients with a history of migraine with |
| Any stimulus that produces a reaction is | | | | aura. |
| called a Trigger. Many things can trigger a | | | | |
| migraine attack such as: alcohol (eg. red | | | | Ophthalmoplegic migraine is characterized by |
| wine)caffeine (coffee, chocolate)monosodium | | | | a headache that is first felt in the eye area |
| glutamate ( MSG usually found in asian | | | | and is accompanied by vomiting. As the |
| foods)nitrates (processed foods, | | | | headache intensifies, the eyelid droops |
| hotdogs)environmental factors (weather, | | | | (ptosis) and the nerves responsible for the |
| altitude, time zone changes)exposure to light | | | | eye movement become paralyzed. |
| (brightness, glare)hormonal changes (in | | | | |
| women)hungerlack of | | | | Status migraine is a rare type that involves |
| sleepanxietystressmedications | | | | excruciating pain that can last even longer |
| (over-the-counter and prescription)perfumes | | | | than 72 hours. The patient may require |
| | | | hospitalization. |
| Signs and Symtoms of Migraine | | | | |
| | | | Migraine Remedies |
| During migraine attacks, people tend to be | | | | |
| very sensitive to light (photophobia) and | | | | There are several over-the-counter and |
| sound (phonophobia). There may also be signs | | | | prescription medicines that can help prevent |
| of nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms may | | | | migraine attacks or aid in relieving symptoms |
| include cold and sweaty hands and/or feet, as | | | | of attacks when they happen. For most people, |
| well as intolerance of unusual odors. | | | | treatments to relieve stress prove to be |
| | | | equally helpful as migraine remedies. Always |
| Types of Migraine | | | | remember to consult your physicians for |
| | | | proper diagnosis of your condition before |
| Migraine with aura is a neurological | | | | taking any medication. |
| phenomenon (aura) experienced 10 to 30 | | | | |