What is migraine?
Migraine is a brain condition that leads to repeated headaches ranging from moderate to severe pain. These headaches usually last from a few hours to a few days and can greatly impact a person’s quality of life, limiting their home, work, and social activities.
Migraine is a common disease that affects 12 to 14% of the world’s population. It is more common in women (5-8% of men and 15-20% of women) and is the second leading cause of disability worldwide among neurological diseases.
What are the symptoms of migraine?
Migraines cause moderate to severe headaches, usually affecting one side of the head. They are throbbing and worsen with physical exertion. “These headaches often come with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.” the expert said. Migraine attacks can last from a few hours to a few days.
There are mainly three types of migraine: 1. migraine without aura, 2. migraine with aura, and 3. chronic migraine. “There are three main types of migraines. A migraine without aura happens without any warning signs before the headache starts. Migraine with aura includes visual disturbances or other symptoms before the pain begins. Chronic migraine occurs frequently, affecting someone for more than half the days in a month over a long period.
Suppose an aura accompanies a migraine. In that case, the patient experiences some neurological symptoms called an aura, which usually precedes the headache but can begin after the pain phase begins or continue during the headache phase. “Visual aura is the very common type of aura, which appears as a bright broken line in the peripheral vision of both eyes, which spreads to the right or left and affects vision for several minutes as opacity. This is a distressing experience for patients.
Other sensory phenomena, such as tingling on one side of the body, face, or tongue, and some language disorders, may also occur during an aura, but these are less common.
Types of migraine
Migraine without aura
This migraine is the most common and manifests itself as follows:
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- Severe pain on one side of the head, although sometimes it can be bilateral.
- It is usually throbbing in nature (like a heartbeat).
- The pain lasts more than 4 hours but usually does not last more than 72 hours.
- The pain is worse with physical exercise and head movement.
- It may be accompanied by an uncomfortable feeling of light (photophobia) and sound (sonophobia), so the pain is relieved by turning off the lights and lying in a closed room without noise.
Migraine with aura
Migraine with aura occurs in 15-30% of patients with this pathology.
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- The main difference between a migraine without aura and a migraine without aura is the presence of other symptoms that affect the senses. These symptoms usually occur before the pain but can occur during or after the headache has subsided.
- The most common aura is a visual aura (such as lights or flashes of light).
- Sensory auras are characterized by a tingling or numbness in the limbs and face on one side of the body.
- However, linguistic auras can also occur, in which the patient has decreased verbal fluency or difficulty finding the right words in conversation.
Menstruation migraine
This type of migraine is related to the decrease in estrogen in the days before menstruation.
Menstrual migraines usually begin with the first period and decrease or disappear with the onset of menopause or pregnancy. However, oral contraceptives or other hormonal treatments can exacerbate these migraine symptoms.
What is a headache?
Although you may feel this way, your brain doesn’t feel pain when your head hurts. The brain can recognize when other parts of your body are in pain, but it doesn’t feel it.
Most headaches affect the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that cover a person’s head and neck. The muscles or blood vessels sometimes become inflamed, tense, or undergo other changes that stimulate or press on nearby nerves. The nerves in your head send signals to your brain when there’s pain. This communication is what makes you feel the headache.
Dangerous symptoms of headaches
A headache is when you feel head, scalp, or neck pain. There are several types, including tension headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and headaches caused by neck problems. Mild headaches can occur with the common cold, flu, or other viral illnesses when you also have a mild fever. Some headaches sign a more serious problem and require immediate medical attention.
Types of headaches
Types of headaches and their causes allow us to classify them, which helps us find the right treatment. The most common types of headaches include:
- Tension headache: This is the most common type of headache and is described as a constant pressure around the head, similar to wearing a tight band; it can be caused by stress, muscle tension, fatigue, or anxiety.
- Migraine: A throbbing pain that usually affects one side of the head and is accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and vomiting. There are multiple causes for its development, ranging from genetic factors to hormonal changes or the consumption of certain types of foods.
- Cluster headache: A severe, throbbing pain often accompanied by nasal congestion, watery eyes, or red eyes; its origin is not entirely clear, but it has been linked to changes in the hypothalamus or clinical patterns such as the seasons.
- Sinus headache: Pain in the forehead and around the eyes and nasal congestion caused by inflammation of the sinuses caused by allergies or infection.
Medication Overuse Headaches occur when an excessive amount of painkillers is taken to treat a headache, creating a vicious cycle between the medication and the pain. Secondary Headaches are headaches related to an underlying condition such as meningitis, sinusitis, head injury, high blood pressure, or a brain tumor.
What is the difference between a migraine and a headache?
Headaches are usually on both sides of the head and are less severe than migraines. Migraines are more severe headaches. They are usually felt on one side of the head and can last for hours or even days. According to experts, migraines cause a throbbing sensation along with severe pain, making it difficult to perform daily activities. Migraines can also bring about other symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and even vomiting in some cases.
Some people may experience symptoms of migraines a few days before they have an attack. Some people experience auras, which are visual disturbances such as light flashes or blind spots. Other symptoms of migraines include a stiff neck, frequent yawning, constipation, and increased thirst.
4 natural remedies for migraines
1. Changes in diet
Many migraine sufferers notice that certain things can trigger them. Common food triggers for migraines include:
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- Processed foods
- Red wine
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Caffeinated beverages
- Stress management
Stress often triggers migraines, and it can create a cycle where the pain from the migraine increases stress, which then leads to another migraine. Finding solutions to stress, such as journaling, exercise, or meditation, can help prevent future migraines.
2. Massage
Massaging your neck and shoulder muscles can help relieve the tension and pain of migraines. Massage can reduce stress.
You can choose a professional massage therapist for a massage.
3. Rest
Both not getting enough sleep and sleeping too much can trigger migraines.
Sleeping 8 to 9 hours each night can help reduce stress and prevent migraines.
4. Stay hydrated.
Not drinking enough water triggers migraines and headaches; mild dehydration is all it takes to start a headache. To avoid dehydration, try drinking more water each day.
4 natural remedies for headaches
1. Go for a walk
If the cause is stress or prolonged screen time, walking and getting some fresh air can soothe your headache.
2. Take a relaxing bath
Headaches that arise from stress or tension often disappear easily with rest. In that case, a bath can help relieve the day’s stress and reduce the headache.
3. Massage
Massage can help relieve your headache and any pain.
4. Wear sunglasses
Spending too much time in the sun can cause your brain to feel discomfort, sending pain signals to the rest of your body. This can lead to headaches. So you should Wear polarized sunglasses.
Get ready for your appointment.
The main benefits of massage for migraines and headaches are:
- Massage releases endorphins, naturally occurring medicines that can either lessen or completely eradicate acute and long-term suffering.
- Massage relaxes tension and muscular spasms, the most common causes of migraines and headaches. Therefore, it warms troubled areas.
- Massage improves blood circulation and oxygenates cells.
Regular massage sessions reduce overall stress, which is a significant cause of headaches.