A migraine is a common type of headache that may occur
with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. In many
people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head.
Some people who get migraines have warning symptoms,
called an aura, before the actual headache begins. An aura is a group of
symptoms, including vision disturbances that are a warning sign that a bad
headache is coming.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
A migraine is caused by abnormal
brain activity, which can be triggered by a number of factors.
However, the exact chain of events remains unclear. Today, most medical experts
believe the attack begins in the brain, and involves nerve pathways and chemicals.
The changes affect blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues.
Alcohol, stress and anxiety,
certain odors or perfumes, loud noises or bright lights, and smoking may
trigger a migraine.
Migraine attacks may also be triggered by:
·
Caffeine withdrawal
·
Changes in hormone levels during a woman's menstrual cycle or with
the use of birth control pills
·
Changes in sleep patterns
·
Exercise or other physical stress
·
Missed meals
·
Smoking or exposure to smoke
Migraine headaches can be
triggered by certain foods. The most common are:
·
Any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods, as well as
foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG)
·
Baked goods, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, and dairy products
·
Foods containing tyramine, which includes red wine, aged cheese,
smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans
·
Fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit)
·
Meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats)
·
Onions
This list may not include all triggers.
Symptoms
Vision disturbances, or aura, are considered a
"warning sign" that a migraine is coming. The aura occurs in both
eyes and may involve any or all of the following:
·
A temporary blind spot
·
Blurred vision
·
Eye pain
·
Seeing stars or zigzag lines
·
Tunnel vision
Other warning signs include yawning, difficulty
concentrating, nausea, and trouble finding the right words.
Not every person with migraines has an aura. Those who
do usually develop one about 10 - 15 minutes before the headache.
However, an aura may occur just a few minutes to 24 hours beforehand.
A headache may not always follow an aura.
Migraine headaches can be dull or severe. The pain may
be felt behind the eye or in the back of the head and neck. For many patients,
the headaches start on the same side each time. The headaches usually:
·
Feel throbbing, pounding, or pulsating
·
Are worse on one side of the head
·
Start as a dull ache and get worse within minutes to
hours
·
Last 6 to 48 hours
Other symptoms that may occur with the headache
include:
·
Chills
·
Increased urination
·
Fatigue
·
Loss of appetite
·
Nausea and vomiting
·
Numbness, tingling, or weakness
·
Problems concentrating, trouble finding words
·
Sensitivity to light or sound
·
Sweating
Symptoms may linger even after the migraine has gone
away. Patients with migraine sometimes call this a migraine "hangover."
Symptoms can include:
·
Feeling mentally dull, like you’re thinking is not
clear or sharp
·
Increased need for sleep
·
Neck pain
Reviews from PubMeD HEALTH
You might wonder why I’m posting this article so here’s
the story, (but Oh! I can’t even type write now- I’m experiencing “hangover”
from previous attack) so this is quick. Though, I have visual impairment since
grade school so I assumed that this throbbing, sometimes pulsating pain I’m
experiencing for couple of years now is due to advance mild to severe vision
loss. But the pain lasts only for 30 minutes for two to three times a week before
then dwindles when I get enough sleep and new corrected lenses. But this year
it caught my attention because the attacks were progressing, start as a typical
dull headache and get worse within minutes to hours (6 hours), the pain is
excruciating and piercing down to my ears and jaws “imagine that” and all the
signs and symptoms mentioned above especially this “temporary blind spot” that
last for about half an hour, a strange sensation and is pretty intense after
extreme work out or simply climbing stairs.
Last Monday due to horrible pain they rush me to
Emergency room and injected Diclofenac Sodium. The GP’s principal diagnosis is
CLASSIC MIGRAINE.
Read this: People with classic migraines experience an aura
before their headaches. Most often, an aura is a visual disturbance (outlines
of lights or jagged light images). Classic migraines are usually much more severe than common migraines.
Have you had your eyes checked lately or do you get
migraines? Has anything different been going on? Stress can also do funny
things to you or I might say serious things to you. I hope this helped you try
and figure out what’s going on. If it doesn't clear up I would definitely go
and see a doctor.
Pray for smooth recovery. God Bless us all <3
