Migraine - kind of a headache

A migraine headache is a form of vascular headache and it is a complex disorder involving the brain and the blood vessels around the brain and head. Migraine headaches seem to be caused in part by changes in the level of a body chemical called serotonin. The pain of a migraine headache can be intense, getting in the way of your daily activities. In some cases, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign, such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. Migraines aren't the same in all people. Up to 17% of women and 6% of men have experienced a migraine and l must say l am one of them. When l was pregnant l had a migraine where l thought l was going to die, but luckily it subsided and here l am!

Types of Migraine:

• Migraines or classic migraines start with a set of warning signs are called the aura.
  The aura often involves changes in the way you see. You may see flashing lights. You may temporarily lose some of your vision, such as your side vision, in one or both eyes.
• Migraines without aura or common migraines don't start with an aura. Migraines without aura may start more slowly than migraines with aura, last longer and interfere more with daily activities. The pain of migraines without aura may be on just one side of your head. If you have severe headaches without an aura that don't seem to be caused by muscle tension, they may be migraines without aura.

Causes of Migraine:

• Hormonal changes - two-thirds of women sufferers only get their headaches around the time of their period. Migraines in women are usually worse around puberty and they tend to disappear around menopause.
• Alcohol, especially red wine and beer.
• Fermented, pickled or marinated foods
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Aspartame
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Stress
• Hunger
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Changes in barometric pressure

Symptoms:

• Intense throbbing or dull aching pain, usually on one side of your head
• Nausea, vomiting
• Changes in how you see, including blurred vision or blind spots in your vision
• Bothered by light, noise and odors
• Feeling tired
• Confusion
• Stuffy nose
• Feeling cold or sweating
• Still or tender neck
• Light headed
• Tender scalp
• Symptoms worsen with movement

Treatment: There are two types of migraine treatments. Some treatments are used to relieve the headache pain. The other group includes treatments that are used to prevent headaches before they occur.

• People with known trigger factors, such as specific foods or stress, may help themselves by changing their diet or their lifestyle, but if this doesn't work, they may need medicine.
• Pain-relieving medications. Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms that have already begun.
• Preventive medications. These types of drugs are taken regularly, often on a daily basis, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.

Some tips to reduce pain:

• Lie down in a dark, quiet room
• Put a cold compress on your forehead
• Massage your scalp
• Put pressure on your temples

Take Prevention:

• Avoid triggers: If certain foods seem to have triggered your headaches in the past, try to skip them.
• Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise reduces tension and can help prevent migraines.
• Reduce the effects of estrogen. If you're a woman with migraines and estrogen seems to trigger or make your headaches worse, you may want to avoid or reduce the amount of medications you take that contain estrogen.

(Source: medicinenet.com, cfpc.ca, mayoclinic.com)