Nowadays most of the people are suffering from migraine headaches, the intensity of which varies from person to person. In most of the cases, migraine is usually accompanied by nausea. In India, there are more than 10 million cases of migraine reported every year.
Symptoms
The symptoms vary from person to person. Headache may be mild to moderate to severe. The person may experience throbbing either on the right, left side, front side, or the temples, including the eye area. The pain may also shift from one side of the head to the other. Initially the pain may be mild, and it increases in intensity within few hours. It is also characterised by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to bright light or certain sounds, difficulty in reading and speaking. Sudden flashes of light is also reported to be experienced in many cases.
Causes
No definite cause of migraine has yet been found by the researchers. There are many contributing factors which trigger the condition. Some of the factors are:-
- Bright light, including the light emanating from the electronic gadgets
- Direct sunlight exposure for too long, extreme hot or cold weathers
- Less consumption of water
- Loud sounds
- Stress
- Hormonal changes in women during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause
- Poor diet or skipping meals, also being empty stomach for too long
- Not getting proper sleep, or getting too much of sleep
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
It is very necessary to identify the factors that trigger the migraine in the patients. Maintaining the note of the physical activities, diet, sleep schedule etc. before the trigger can help the patient in identifying the cause of migraine.
Diagnosis
There are no specific tests for detecting migraines. Doctors determine the possibility of migraine by knowing the symptoms, clinical history of the patient as well as the family. Often, CT scan or MRI is required to rule out other possibilities such as tumours or strokes.
Treatment
Migraine is not completely curable, but with the proper treatment, the frequency of the headache and symptoms can be decreased to a great extent. The doctors may provide pain relievers, anti- nausea drugs, anti- depressants and other such medications as they deem fit. The medicines should be strictly taken according to the doctor’s prescription. As soon as the migraine is triggered, lay down in a quiet, dark room and keep away the mobile phones. Place a cold cloth or ice pack wrapped in towel on the forehead or at the back of your neck. Massage your head and temples gently. However, some lifestyle changes are also required and some home remedies that you can try to help lessen the intensity of migraine.
- Consuming plenty of water and staying hydrated
- Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol
- Consume the meals on time and don’t stay empty stomach for long
- Getting a minimum of 7 hours uninterrupted sleep at night
- Try meditation
- Exercise regularly
Apart from the traditional medications and home remedies, certain non- traditional therapies are also helpful, such as acupuncture, biofeedback, cognitive behavioural therapy, and herbs, vitamins and minerals. Identify your triggers and keep record of the headache. Every patient requires different kind of treatment based upon the type and intensity of the migraine, so make sure to consult your doctor to know more about your migraine and the treatment you require.
