Migraine – How to Recognize This Condition and Keep It Under Control?

Headaches are common problems that we all encounter daily, but certain episodes are more intense. It is important to be able to recognize classic headaches that occur due to various minor ailments. At the same time, it is even more important to be able to differentiate migraines from all other common unpleasant sensations felt in the head.

Regardless of the cause leading to the onset of a migraine, it is certainly perceived as something difficult to bear. It is very possible to face something like this, but often we don’t realize it’s a migraine. In this article, we will delve into the issue of migraines, explaining what they are, how they manifest, and what we can do to control them.

Migraine – what it is and what are the main types of migraines?

Migraines are much more than just a bad headache. They can be truly debilitating, throbbing, unilateral pains that can keep us in bed for days. Movement, lights, sounds, and other triggers can cause symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vision changes, irritability, and more.

A migraine causes a headache focused on one side of the head. The headache phase of a migraine typically lasts at least four hours but can extend for several days. They can affect our daily routine and our ability to perform personal and social tasks.

What can we do to control migraines?

From the description above, it seems that migraines are quite painful and difficult to control. However, we have the ability to lessen the specific signs with the help of natural Magnesium and Vitamin B6 supplements. With just one capsule a day, we get our daily requirement for a two-month course.

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The concentration at which the product is available is perfect for the body, especially for the mind and head. There are numerous studies that attest to the important role of these two compounds in preventing and alleviating headaches and migraines. First, magnesium is responsible for controlling vasoconstriction, a defining element for migraines. Also, vitamin B6 is considered useful for the proper functioning of the brain. Thus, this complex of natural ingredients can not only be useful in preventing migraines but also helps us to have general well-being.

What types of migraines can be encountered?

Migraines can be divided into several types. Thus, the most common and well-known form is the classic one. This can cause pain only on one side of the head or on both areas. At the same time, there are other variants of migraines that are somewhat rarer.

Hemiplegic migraine is one of the rare variants of this problem. In such an episode, one may feel muscle weakness or even paralysis in severe cases. However, the sensations felt do not last more than 60 minutes.

Ocular (or ophthalmologic) migraine affects the eyes. Patients with this problem complain of ptosis (drooping eyelid), which impairs their vision. In addition, changes in the pupil can be observed, varying from case to case. Moreover, ophthalmologic migraine is another condition that can last for several days or even weeks. Therefore, it is considered quite difficult for the patient to bear.

The last variant of migraine is the basilar artery migraine. People complain of neurological spasms, which manifest for about 8 hours.

Migraines – causes and factors that favor their appearance

A precise cause for migraine episodes has not yet been discovered, but studies show that genetics can be relevant in such situations.

When we have headaches, pain signals are sent to the brain by specific nerves in the blood vessels. In response, inflammatory substances are released. However, it is not clear why our nerves react this way.

What are the causes of migraines in women and men?

A trigger is something that causes symptoms to appear. Some of the most frequent triggers for migraines include:

• Stress;
• Hormonal changes;
• Certain medications;
• Changes in sleep schedule;
• Weather sensitivity;
• Too much physical activity (overexertion);
• Addictive substances like caffeine or tobacco;
• Lack of food;
• Exposure to strong lights, sounds, or smells.

What foods are considered causes of morning or evening migraines?

Our body can have sensitivity to certain chemicals and preservatives in food. This sensitivity causes migraines to occur more often, especially if combined with other triggers.

Foods that have the potential to trigger migraines include:

• Moldy or very aged cheeses;
• Alcoholic beverages;
• Chocolate;
• Food additives such as nitrates;
• Processed foods (hot dogs, pepperoni, etc.);
• Fermented or pickled foods.

Are migraines hereditary?

Migraines tend to occur among members of the same family. Approximately 80% of people with migraines have a first-degree biological relative who experiences the same problem.

What are the risk factors for a migraine?

Migraines can affect anyone at any age, from children to the elderly. However, women are more prone than men to develop this problem.

In addition to the elements already mentioned, risk factors for migraines also include:

• Family history of migraines;
• Pathology associated with migraines (depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and epilepsy);
• Usual use of tobacco products.

Migraines – common symptoms

First of all, we must understand that there are several phases of a migraine. Thus, from the research conducted so far, the following stages are known:

• Prodromal phase: It can start even 24 hours before you feel the actual headache.
• Aura: This involves a combination of symptoms that warn that a migraine is about to occur. This stage can last between five minutes and an hour. It is also possible for this phase to occur simultaneously with the headache.
• Cephalalgia: The actual pain stage can last, on average, between 4 and 72 hours.
• Postdromal phase: The postdromal stage generally lasts from 1-2 hours up to approximately two days.

Going through the four stages can take from 8 hours to 72 hours.

What are the symptoms of a migraine?

When it comes to what a migraine means and how it manifests, we must mention that the response varies according to the stage. Each migraine episode differs from person to person. Therefore, you will not necessarily present symptoms in all four stages.

Manifestations of the prodromal phase:

• Mood changes;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Sleep problems;
• Fatigue or even exhaustion;
• Nausea;
• Increased hunger and thirst (polyphagia and polydipsia);
• Frequent urination (polyuria).

It is important to have blood tests done at this stage. Some of the above signs (polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia) can be easily confused with diabetes. Based on blood glucose measurement or urine analysis, this possibility can be ruled out.

Manifestations of aura

• Muscle weakness;
• Visual disturbances;
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus);
• Sensitivity to touch (especially if someone touches us);
• Numbness and tingling;
• Difficulty speaking or concentrating;

Symptoms of the cephalalgia phase

In this phase, the headache gradually becomes more intense. The painful sensation can be felt on one side of the head or over the entire surface. The most frequent symptoms are:

• Nausea and vomiting;
• Sensitivity to light, sounds, and different smells.

Symptoms from the prodromal phase

• Fatigue;
• Sore, stiff neck muscles;
• Sensitivity to light and sound;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Nausea;
• Dizziness.

How is a migraine perceived?

The headache due to a migraine can feel throbbing, pulsating like a blow, or, in milder forms, like a discomfort.

Migraines can be perceived differently by each person, ranging from vague, almost imperceptible, to severe. You may also feel pain around the eyes or temples, the face, sinuses, jaw, or neck.

How often do migraines occur?

The frequency of migraines varies from person to person. You might experience one migraine a year or one a week. On average, most people experience two to four per month. They are more common in the morning. Most migraines are unpredictable, but we can tell when they occur based on warning signs. Typically, they can occur before menstruation or in stressful situations.

Migraine remedies – what techniques and remedies can we choose to alleviate symptoms

If we are experiencing such problems, we need to find out what migraines are treated with.

Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for migraines, but you can try options to control them. Among the recommendations a doctor will make in this regard are:

• Pain medications;
• Avoiding migraine triggers;
• Alternative remedies for migraines.

How can we avoid factors that cause migraines?

A healthcare professional can first help us identify what triggers migraines. They may recommend keeping a journal with notes about migraine episodes. Not only will we be able to keep track of the periodicity of these episodes, but we can also note how we felt. We can also add details about the foods we ate or the activities we participated in. This way, we can more easily identify the triggering causes.

Once a trigger is identified, we can take steps to avoid it. Unfortunately, in many situations, it is impossible to identify a single element that causes migraine episodes. However, with the medication recommended by the doctor and the right remedies, we can keep them under control.

Alternative migraine remedies

If we want to try products other than regular medication, we can opt for natural alternatives. For example, we can take vitamins, minerals, or extracts such as riboflavin (vitamin B2), magnesium, or coenzyme Q10.

Also, very suitable options are relaxation techniques such as yoga or alternative therapies, such as acupuncture.

However, it is important to talk to a doctor before trying any medication or alternative product. Only a healthcare professional can guide us properly and intervene if something is wrong.

References:

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2. https://www.nature.com/articles/nrneurol.2016.93
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4. https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.4501001.x
5. https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2009.01486.x
6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/brb3.950
7. https://journals.lww.com/clinicalpain/abstract/2009/06000/foods_and_supplements_in_the_management_of.15.aspx
8. https://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g1416.short
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