Basic Facts About Migraine Headaches Which People Need To Know
Before starting, it must be understood that this information does not in any way constitute medical advice. It is simply some of the basic information on migraine headaches: what they are, what their causes are, and some identified treatments. If you think you may suffer from migraine headaches, you should consult the advice of your physician straight away so that the proper physical and neurological checks can be made. Migraines can be dangerous if not found and monitored early, and their symptoms can be similar to other serious conditions. Better safe than sorry.
A migraine headache is not just your typical headache. It is characterised by painful throbbing and pulsing, and its length can be anything from several minutes to a few hours. Different types of migraine can last for different lengths of time. Some last for days, and in rarer cases, a week or more. Migraines are debilitating and usually prevent individuals from going about their normal daily activities.
The cause of migraine headaches is as yet unknown. Many chemical and neurological processes occur in the brain, and the pain and throbbing encountered is believed to be caused by inflammation of blood vessels around the skull. Knowledge is more advanced in the area of triggers, as opposed to the causes of migraine headaches, and it is believed that the propensity to migraines is hereditary, as they tend to run in families. Possibly, people inherit a degree of susceptibility to migraine triggers.
There are numerous varieties of migraine. The most common type is known as migraine with aura. In this, an 'aura' occurs about half and hour before the onset of the headache. An aura is usually a visual disturbance such as flashing lights or shapes which may move towards or away from the edge of the sufferer's vision. Non-visual auras can also occur, these may be somatic, such as tingling or numbness. In a sense these auras are a useful warning sign for an upcoming migraine, which allow people to take painkillers that may prevent the headache. Some people may experience the aura without the headache.
Even though the causes of migraine headache are unknown, doctors have discovered various 'triggers' - events that may bring on a migraine in people who ordinarily have them. These include:
Alcohol
Coffee and other caffeinated drinks
Fatigue
Changes in the weather
Some drugs and other medications
Stress
Hormonal changes around menstruation
Doctors advise that patients would be advised to keep a log of things they were doing, eating, drinking, and how they felt around and before the start of a migraine. This allows people to identify their particular triggers.
To treat migraine headaches, keeping to a regular routine and a healthy lifestyle are the best options. Cardiovascular exercise for around half an hour five days each week is suggested, and keeping to consistent sleep and eating routines can also be beneficial. Magnesium supplements have been suggested as a preventative measure, and many people use biofeedback machines so they can learn to prevent migraines.
When migraines are not treated and monitored, they can lead to very serious symptoms, but if a person takes the recommended preventative steps and discovers their triggers, they can live ordinary lives, often without having to resort to medication.
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