Migraine

Migraine is a severe form of headache that usually takes place only on one side of the head. Mental stress and tension is the main factor that can be held responsible for causing migraine. It has been found that people who suffer from migraine problem usually have a peculiar personality.
What Is A migraine Headache?

A migraine headache is a form of vascular headache. Migraine headache is caused by a combination of vasodilatation (enlargement of blood vessels) and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the blood vessels. During a migraine attack, the temporal artery enlarges. (The temporal artery is an artery that lies on the outside of the skull just under the skin of the temple.)

Migraine Headache Symptoms

Prodrome: A variety of warnings can come before a migraine. These may consist of a change in mood (for example, feeling “high,” irritable, or depressed) or a subtle change of sensation (for example, a funny taste or smell).

Headache: Although migraine pain usually appears on one side of the head, 30-40% of migraines occur on both sides. Throbbing pain may be present. More than 80% of migraineurs feel nauseated, and some vomit.

When left untreated, a migraine typically lasts from four to 72 hours, but the frequency with which headaches occur varies from person to person. You may have migraines several times a month or just once or twice a year.

Causes Of Migraine

Stress. A hard week at work followed by relaxation may lead to a weekend migraine. Stress at work or home also can instigate migraines.

Changes in wake-sleep pattern. Either missing sleep or getting too much sleep may serve as a trigger for migraine attacks in some individuals.

Hormonal changes. Although the exact relationship between hormones and headaches isn’t clear, fluctuations in estrogen seem to trigger headaches in many women with known migraines.

Treatments Of Migraine

At home, however sympathetic your family and friends try to be, it’s unlikely they truly understand what you’re going through when yet another migraine or headache intervenes. It may be a special outing that has to be cancelled, or is ruined because you can’t fully take part.

Anti-nausea medications. Since migraine attacks are often accompanied by nausea with or without vomiting, medication for treatment of these symptoms is appropriate and is usually combined with other medications.

Anti-seizure drugs. Although the reason is unclear, some anti-seizure drugs, such as divalproex sodium (Depakote) and topiramate (Topamax), which are used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disease, seem to prevent migraines.

To avoid continued failure of a give medication, assess whether you wait too long to take your before treating your headache. Delay in treating your migraine can make it more difficult for your headache to respond to the medication. For many patients, there is a “window of opportunity” during a migraine where there is an increased chance that the headache will respond to treatment.



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