Many people consider migraine headaches to be normal headaches, but they’re different and more severe than other types of headaches.
One billion people around the world are affected by migraine. Yes! In the US, about 39 million people suffer from migraines. And it’s surprising to know women are three times more likely to have them than men.
Please keep reading to learn about what migraines truly are and the signs that will tell you it’s a migraine, not a typical headache.
What Are Migraines?
A migraine can not be just considered as a headache but a feeling that brings throbbing pain. It can last for hours or stretch to days. The exact cause remains unclear, but it is linked to brain and vessel issues.
Migraines are more than just a headache. Here’s what can come with them:
- Nausea and vomiting: Feeling sick often follows the pain.
- Light and sound trouble: Brightness and noise worsen the situation.
Types of Migraines
Migraine headaches appear differently in people. Some start with strange warning signs, while others come without notice. Here are the main types of migraine headaches:
- With an aura, strange sights, like flashes or wavy lines, show up before pain.
- Without aura: it is the most common kind, with no warning, just sudden pain.
- Chronic migraines can be fatal. Causes disturbances in daily life.
- Other forms: Kids may get abdominal migraines. Hormonal shifts can cause menstrual migraines.
Migraine Symptoms and Phases
Migraines often occur in four stages. Each stage has different signs.
Prodrome Stage
It starts hours or even days before the pain hits. About 60% of migraine sufferers notice:
- Sensitivity: Bright light, strong smells, or loud sounds feel unbearable.
- Fatigue: Yawning a lot or feeling drained.
- Cravings or no appetite: Some want sweets; others avoid food.
- Mood changes: Feeling irritable, sad, or overly happy.
- Digestive trouble: Constipation or bloating may appear.
Fact: Some foods blamed for migraines, like chocolate, might be cravings from this stage.
Aura Stage
Not everyone gets to this stage, but 1 in 4 does. It lasts less than an hour and may involve
- Vision trouble: wavy lines, flashes, or black spots.
- Tingling or numbness: often in the hands, face, or limbs.
- Speech issues: Words may slur, or sentences may not come out clearly.
- Other signs: weakness on one side or sounds in the ears.
Attack Stage
This is the headache phase. The Pain starts dull, then gets intense. Movement makes it worse. Pain may shift sides or stay in one spot.
During this time, you might also feel
- Sick (nausea or vomiting).
- Dizzy or faint.
- Sensitive to light, sound, or smell.
This stage can last from hours to 3 days.
Postdrome Stage
After the pain ends, some effects linger. Up to 80% of people feel
- Weak or tired.
- Sore muscles.
- Unfocused thoughts.
- Appetite changes.
Migraine vs. Headache
Migraines and headaches are not the same. While people often equate migraines headaches, migraines involve multiple symptoms beyond head pain. Headaches, on the other hand, can have a various of causes, such as stress or dehydration. Key migraine characteristics include:
- Throbbing or pulsing pain that worsens with movement.
- Pain is usually on one side of the head.
- Symptoms include sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, or vomiting.
- Migraines can cause fever
- migraine, stiff neck, and cervical muscle tension.
What Triggers Migraine?
A component that makes a migraine worse or starts one. Knowing what sets off a migraine can help you avoid it. Here are some common triggers:
- Stress: Both emotional and physical stress can set off migraines. Stress hormones mess with brain chemicals, causing pain.
- Hormonal Changes: Women often get migraines during certain times, like their period, pregnancy, or menopause, because of changes in estrogen.
- Certain Medications: Some medicines, like birth control or vasodilators, can bring on migraines.
- Sleep Problems: disturbed sleep patterns, less or more than usual.
- Weather Changes: Shifts in weather, especially barometric pressure, extreme heat, or humidity, can trigger migraines.
- Overdoing It: Doing too much physical activity can bring on a migraine, especially if you’re not hydrated or eating properly.
- Addictive Substances: Too much caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco can cause migraines. Also, withdrawal from them can make them worse.
- Sensory Overload: Bright lights, loud sounds, and strong smells, like perfumes, can overwhelm the brain and cause pain
What Foods Trigger Migraines?
Certain foods have chemicals that may cause migraines. These chemicals include tyramine, nitrates, and MSG.
Common Food Triggers:
- Aged Cheese: Cheese like cheddar, blue cheese, and parmesan have high levels of tyramine, which can cause migraines.
- Alcohol: Wine, beer, and other drinks can make blood vessels expand and cause headache.
- Chocolate: Chocolate has caffeine and phenylethylamine. For some, these trigger migraines.
- Processed Foods: Hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats have nitrates, which are often linked to migraines.
- Food Additives: MSG, found in many fast foods and processed snacks, may cause headaches.
- Fermented or Pickled Foods: Foods like kimchi, pickles, and sauerkraut can have high amounts of tyramine, triggering migraines.
It is not a complete list, but it gives a clearer view of what may cause migraines. Scientists continue to explore, but understanding triggers and risks can help prevent them.
What Does a Migraine Feel Like?
Migraine pain feels different for everyone, but common descriptions include:
- Throbbing or pounding
- A pulsing sensation
- Dull but persistent pain
For some, the pain starts on one side of the head and then moves to the other. Others may feel it around their eyes, temples, jaw, or neck.
How Often Do Migraines Occur?
The frequency of migraines depends on the person. Some might have one migraine a year, while others experience them weekly. On average, most people have between 2 to 4 migraines per month.
Migraines often strike in the morning and can be unpredictable. Migraines can cause double vision, discomfort, and nausea. However, certain triggers might signal their arrival, like hormonal changes during menstruation or high stress.
How do Doctors Identify Migraine Pain
When you go to a doctor with a migraine, they first do a physical check-up and a neurological test. These steps helps you understand how your body is doing and find out if there are any problems causing your headaches.
They will ask you many questions about your pain and symptoms. Here are some questions you might hear:
- What does the pain feel like? Is it throbbing, sharp, or something else?
- Are you experiencing nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or phonophobia?
- On a scale of 1-10, how much does the pain hurt?
- How frequent and how long do the headaches last?
- Are they transient, or do they spend several days in the hospital?
- Is there something that triggers the pain? It may be food, stress, or activity.
Migraine Management and Treatment
Migraines won’t vanish, but many ways exist to ease them. With the right guidance, you can find what works best for you. Here’s how you can manage:
- Take meds suited to your needs.
- Learn what sparks your migraines and steer clear of it.
- Look into other treatments for comfort.
Medications for Migraine Relief
Meds play a big role in migraine relief. They fall into two groups:
- Abortive Medications: These meds help when a migraine starts. They stop symptoms like pain, nausea, or light sensitivity. Take them right away to stop them in their tracks.
- Preventive Medications: For those with frequent or severe migraines, daily pills may reduce how often they strike or how severe they are.
Alternative Remedies for Migraines
Other treatments beyond meds might help. Some of the top ones are:
- Supplements: Magnesium, vitamin B2, feverfew, butterbur, coenzyme Q10
- Relaxation: Yoga or meditation
- Acupuncture: Targeting pain points for relief
- Biofeedback: Control muscle tension
- Botulinum Toxin (Botox®): Works for chronic migraines
- migraine headache head wrap
Before starting any alternative therapy, check with your doctor. You want to make sure it’s safe and works with your other treatments.
Last Words
Migraines are more severe than basic headaches, and that makes it critical for one to know how to handle them. When you know the signs, causes, and cures of the disorders, you can avoid situations that will worsen them. This means that to manage this condition effectively, you need to consult a healthcare provider most of the time.
FAQs:
Is there a trigger for every migraine?
The majority of migraines lack triggers, or we misdefine them. For instance, a patient may have a chocolate craving before a migraine and experience a headache after consuming it.
Are some people more at risk for migraines?
Women are three times more likely to get headaches and develop chronic migraines.
