Archive for the ‘Migraine’ category

Migraine Headache Definition, Symptoms And Treatments

October 12th, 2011
Dr. Becky Gillaspy asked:




Migraine symptoms can be debilitating and the headache pain and discomfort typically begins on one side of the head though it may spread to both. The pain and discomfort will usually start as a dull ache and then move into a constant, throbbing sensation which is moderate to severe in intensity. Men and women with a migraine headache will prefer to lay down in a peaceful, darkened room because light and noise generally worsen the pain and discomfort. Migraines are frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, sweating or chills.

Migraines are categorized according to the signs or symptoms they produce. The two more common types are migraine with an aura (Classic Migraine) and migraine with out an aura (Common Migraine).

Migraine Headache Symptoms And Causes

Common and Classic Migraine Headaches share the following possible signs:

Serious headachesensed on one side or both sides of the head Nausea and vomiting Weakness Diarrhea Increased urination Visual disturbance Sensitivity to light Dizziness or lightheadedness Sweating and chills

In the event of a Classic Migraine Headache an Aura may be experienced, which preceeds the headaches and alerts the sufferer of its arrival. An Aura has been defined as possessing many unique components such as:

Seeing Flashing lights Seeing zigzag lines or spots Short-term eyesight loss Difficulty with the ability to talk Tingling and weakness in the arm Tingling and weakness in the leg Tingling in the face Tingling in the hands Mental fogginess

Though an aura is not usually experienced with a Common Migraine Headache, some people will note beginning signs and symptoms similar to:

Mental fogginess or fuzziness Mood or temperment changes Tiredness Fluid retention

Headaches can continue for 6 to 48 hours and signs may linger even after the migraine has passed. This is at times named a migraine “hangover” and involves feeling mentally dull and drained and may also involve neck pain and discomfort.

Migraines tend to initially appear between 10 and 45 years of age . They are more often seen in women (the number of headaches may decrease once a woman is pregnant). Having a family background of migraine headaches is a substantial risk factor for their development.

Migraine headaches are generally induced by something. Trigger factors can include:

Stress (physical or emotional) Changes in hormonal levels (some femalesnote migraines at the time of ovulation or just before menstruation or with the use of birth control medicines ) Rapid changes in blood sugar (glucose) amounts that may happen in someone who is fasting, oversleeps, or skips meals Alcohol consumption Certain odors or fragrances Particular foods like avocado, bananas, chocolate, citrus juices, milk products, marinated foods, nuts, onions, pickled foods, processed meal items Selected food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), tyramine (seen in red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans) Swings in barometric pressure Glaring daylight or bright lights Exposure to cigarette smoke Allergies Loud noises

Migraine headaches are not typically caused by a brain tumor or other significant physical health issue. Having said that, a consultation with a medical professional is strongly suggested to rule out significant medical conditions.

Migraine Headache Diagnosis And Treatment

A diagnosis can be developed by a medical physician founded on the presence of the earlier mentioned symptoms and questions concerning your family background of migraines. A physical exam should be carried out to help ascertain a cause for your headaches. There is no specific test to diagnosis or identify these headaches. Nevertheless, your medical doctor may order an MRI or CT scan if you possess unusual signs or other medical concerns are existing.

There is no specific remedy for migraine headaches. However, steps can be taken to determine and avoid headache triggers. To establish triggering factors, it may be useful to keep a headache diary to document what occurred or what you ate or drank prior to the onset of your headache pain .

Once a migraine does happen, it is best to deal with it immediately, which may help reduce signs and symptoms. At the first indicator of signs and symptoms consume drinking water to prevent dehydration, rest in a quiet and peaceful and dark area and place a cool cloth on your forehead.

Migraines are frequently treated by drugs. Converse with your doctor regarding the use of aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and/or caffeine. If taken at the initial signs of impending migraine, these over-the-counter medications can stop the headache or lessen signs and symptoms. Your medical professional may additionally recommend prescription drugs to help stop migraine attacks such as:

Triptans – almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig) Ergots such as dihydroergotamine or ergotamine with caffeine (Cafergot) Isometheptene (Midrin)

For repeated sufferers day-to-day medication may be beneficial in reducing the number of attacks. These medicines may include:

Anti depressants like amitriptyline Blood pressure medicines like beta blockers (propanolol) or calcium channel blockers (verapamil) Seizure medication such as valproic acid, gabapentin, and topiramate Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as venlafaxine Selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitor (SNRIs) like duloxetine Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections

If the attack is currently in progress, medications may be employed to treat the signs and symptoms. These medications include:

Nausea medications such as prochlorperazine Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) Sedatives such as butalbital Narcotic pain relievers like meperidine Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen

Every man or woman could experience unique signs and symptoms and respond differently to treatment and drugs. Converse with your physician about your precise symptom profile and recommended remedy options



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Migraine: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

October 12th, 2011
Mac Millon asked:




According to the data published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, over 25% of all citizens of the US were suffering from migraine. Looking at a global scenario, the World Health Organization about 16-17% of the population are affected by an attack at least once in their lifetimes. In 2003, it also estimated that there were over 303 million people suffering from this medical condition worldwide. It was followed by another publication in 2004 that revealed that almost 20 million migraine attacks happen every day in various parts of the globe.

Generally recognized as acute pain and a severe form of headache, Migraine is a medical condition best described as a vascular headache. The root cause of migraine attack is enlargement of blood vessels that lead to inflammation and swelling in the arteries present in the brain. Migraine can also be characterized by acute pain which occurs in one half of the brain. It may be a pulsating in nature which means the pain may feel like travelling in waves across various parts of the brain. This alters the flow of blood in tissues surrounding the affected region

Causes of Migraine

Primarily migraine is caused by inflammation of blood vessels in the brain. It is commonly misunderstood as a sinus infection in majority of the cases since the headache can originate in the sinus region as well.

Migraine is one of the most misunderstood diseases of all times. While people think that it is caused by a headache, actually the headache is a symptom of a migraine attack. This may be triggered due to the following reasons. However medical sciences cannot confirm them but experts say that a migraine attack can be initiated by:

Excessive intake of Alcohol or nicotine

Allergic reactions to certain foreign components

Bright lights and loud sounds

Specific smells that excite certain parts of human brain

Fluctuation in body hormonal levels

Disturbed sleep or inadequate rest

High stress levels

Symptoms of Migraine

Patients claim that before an actual attack of migraine, their body sends those signals, medically these signals are known as aura which is a collection of the following symptoms:

A temporary blind spot or Blurred vision

Eye pain/ Low level of Headaches

Vision disorders such as patterns, stars and zigzag lines

Tunnel vision

These symptoms also include factors such as vomiting, nauseas, felling weak and unable to support ones weight.

Treatments of Migraine

Controlled intake of certain kinds of food is a home remedy against migraine. This involves avoiding very cold food such as ice cream as they can cause sensation in brain nerves. One should also avoid listening to loud music. Yoga and meditation helps is relaxing muscles that get tensed due to a migraine attack. Certain breathing exercises also regulate the flow of blood in veins and capillaries. Sleeping also helps.

Migraine can be treated by use of medicines as well as surgeries. They basically try to suppress tension and inflammation in the veins by use of synthesized chemicals. Migraine can also be stopped by suppressing any of the triggers. The triggers are generally suppressed with the use of antidepressants and blood pressure. Medicines for seizure and Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) also help. Pain can also be subsided by the use of muscle relaxant injections that are directly injected in the affect part of the brain.

Other than this corrective surgeries are the newest form of treatment where migraine is directly treated by a surgery that avoids future headache attacks. This is done by replacing or clearing of damaged and constricted arteries.



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Migraine Prodromes

September 26th, 2011
fatma ucar asked:




Although no one knows the specific cause of migraines prodromes, the prevailing theory is that they are part of neurochemical changes in the brain that occurs before the attack. Approximately 60% of all migraineurs (people who have chronic migraines) experience some type of prodrome.

Migraine aura

Migraine aura is a specific type of visual prodrome in which people see things that are not there, as well as flashes of light or halo around the object. This type of prodrome is rare and experience in less than 25% of all migraineurs.

Emotional changes

Many Migraine sufferers describe changes in mood before the attack. Some people are euphoric, others fall into a deep gloom, and still others experience uncharacteristic irritability or impatience.

Metabolic changes

Some suffer from migraine prodrome describe their experience as a huge spike in energy levels during the day preceding the headache itself. Others say they know migraine is coming because they are tired or listless, or are still yawning before boarding.

Some Migraine sufferers lose their appetite than headache. Some find themselves suffering from a gluttonous day or night before the attack. Still others have noted that the specific tastes tend to prevent the migraine.

Changes in sleep Insomnia is a common symptom prodrome for many migraine sufferers, the difficulty in sleeping. Others experience fatigue and difficulty waking from migraine.

Migraine is often difficult to diagnose and treat, because no two migraine patients experience the same prodromes if there is one at all. Many migraineurs experience all prodrome symptoms at different times than a headache, or different ones from various attacks.



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