Are you worried about the hidden triggers of Migraine and want to know how to deal with them? Let’s explore the facts of Migraines and find practical options for treatment. Migraine attacks frequently occur when the Migraineur is awake, though an attack may have already begun by the time the sufferer awakens. Less occasionally, it may cause the patient to wake up at night.

The classic migraine headache is throbbing or pulsating. However, more than half of Migraine sufferers report experiencing non-throbbing pain at some point throughout their episodes. This blog will guide you through the indications, symptoms, causes, and triggers of migraine sickness. After reading our extensive tutorial, you will be able to view migraines as a whole-body condition.

What is a Migraine?

A Migraine is a severe headache that causes throbbing, pulsating pain on one side of the brain. Migraine headaches typically last at least four hours but might last for days. This headache worsens with:

Physical activity
Bright lights
Loud noises
Strong smells

Migraines are disruptive. They can disrupt your daily routine and limit your capacity to satisfy personal and social obligations. There are treatments available to help you manage Migraines.

What are the Types of Migraine?

There are numerous forms of Migraines. The most prevalent Migraine classifications include:

Migraines with aura (classic Migraine)
Migraines without aura (common Migraines)
An aura is a stage of a Migraine before head pain occurs

Other forms of Migraines include:

Migraines in children (abdominal Migraine)
Chronic Migraines
Hemiplegic Migraines
Menstrual Migraines
Migraines without headache (silent Migraines)
Retinal Migraines (Ocular Migraine)
Status migrainous

Difference between Migraine and headache

Migraines are chronic neurological illnesses characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headaches, usually on one side of the head. Headache is a phrase used to represent a wide range of pain symptoms that originate in different areas of the head.

Headaches are uncomfortable feelings in the head that produce pressure and aches. They frequently occur on both sides of the head, and the pain can be mild to severe.

How common is Migraine?

Migraines are prevalent. According to studies, Migraines affect approximately 12% of the population in the United States.

What are the Phases of a Migraine?

Migraines have four phases, or stages:

Prodrome

The first phase starts up to 24 hours before you have a headache.

Aura

An aura is a collection of sensory, motor, and/or verbal characteristics that serve as a warning indication for migraine headaches. The aura phase might last up to 60 minutes or as few as five. You may experience both the aura and the headache at the same moment.

Headache

Migraine headaches last between four and 72 hours.

Postdrome

The postdrome period normally lasts from a few hours to 48 hours. Symptoms resemble an alcohol-induced hangover, which is why the postdrome phase is referred to as a migraine hangover.

It can take from eight to 72 hours to complete the four stages.

What are Migraine Symptoms?

Migraine symptoms vary according to the stage. Every Migraine is unique, and you may not experience symptoms during all four stages of Migraines.

Prodrome symptoms

Mood shifts.
difficulty concentrating
Problems sleeping
Fatigue
Nausea
Increased appetite and thirst
Frequent urination

Aura symptoms

Muscle weakness
Vision changes
Tinnitus, or ringing in your ears
Sensitivity to touch (the sensation that someone is touching you)
Numbness and tingling
Difficulty speaking and concentrating

Headache Attack Symptoms

Headache worsens with time. It might affect either side of your head. It may be associated with other symptoms such as:

Nausea and vomiting
Light, sound, and odor sensitivity

Postdrome symptoms

Fatigue
Stiff neck.
Sensitivity to light and sound.
Difficulty concentrating
Nausea
Dizziness

What does a Migraine feel like?

Migraines headache pain can feel like the following:

Throbbing
Pulsing
Pounding
Dull

Migraines can feel different to each individual. Migraine headaches can range from moderate to severe. Headache might begin on one side and spread to the opposite side. You may also experience pain in your eyes or temples, as well as your face, sinuses, jaw, or neck.

How often do Migraines happen?

The frequency of Migraines varies from person to person. You may get one Migraine every year or one per week. On average, most people have two to four every month. They’re most prevalent in the morning. Most Migraines are random, although you may sometimes predict when they will occur, such as before menstruation or after feeling stressed.

What Causes a Migraine?

Researchers are unsure of the specific cause of Migraines, but studies suggest genetics have a role. When you get a headache, certain nerves in your blood vessels transmit pain signals to your brain. This causes inflammation in your head’s nerves and blood vessels. It’s unclear why your nerves do this.

What triggers a Migraine?

A trigger is something that causes symptoms to develop. Some of the most prevalent Migraines triggers are:

Stress
Hormonal changes
Certain drugs
Changes in your sleep
Weather conditions alter
excessive physical activity (overexertion)
Addictive substances, such as coffee or tobacco
Missing a meal
Exposure to bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells

Your healthcare practitioner can assist you in identifying your triggers. They may suggest maintaining a Migraine notebook to track commonalities between Migraine attacks.

What foods trigger Migraines?

Your body may be sensitive to certain chemicals and preservatives found in foods. This sensitivity increases the likelihood of developing a Migraine, especially when paired with other triggers.

A few of the most prevalent dietary triggers are:

Aged cheese
Alcoholic beverages
Chocolate
Food additives such as nitrates and MSG
Processed or cured foods (such as hot dogs and pepperoni)
Fermented or pickled foods

Are Migraines Hereditary?

Yes, Migraines are common in biological families. Up to 80% of Migraine sufferers have a first-degree biological family with the illness.

What are the risk factors for a Migraine?

Migraines can afflict people of any age, from children to adults. Women and people assigned females at birth are more prone than men and people assigned males at birth to suffer from Migraines.

Other risk factors that may increase your chances of getting a Migraine include:

Biological family history of Migraines
Underlying medical condition (depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, epilepsy)
Regular use of tobacco products

How is Migraine diagnosed?

A Migraine will be diagnosed by a healthcare expert following a physical and neurological examination. They’ll also learn about your medical history and biological family’s health history. To better understand your symptoms, your provider may ask you questions such as:

What symptoms are you experiencing?
Can you explain the sensation and location of your headache?
How serious are your symptoms?
How long have your symptoms lasted?
Was there anything that made your headache better or worse?

Your doctor may also request blood tests and imaging tests (such as a CT scan or an MRI) to rule out any other reasons for your headache. An electroencephalogram (EEG) can assist your doctor rule out other illnesses.

Who Diagnosed Migraine?

If you think you have Migraines, consult your primary care physician (PCP) first. They can diagnose Migraines and begin treatment. Your primary care physician may recommend you to a headache specialist or neurologist.

How is a Migraine treated?

There is no cure for Migraines. However, a healthcare expert can help you control Migraine symptoms in the following ways:

Taking medicine
Preventing Migraine causes
Using alternate Migraine treatments

What medications treat Migraines?

A healthcare provider may recommend Migraine medication. There are two sorts of drugs available.

Medications that relieve Migraines

These drugs can be taken as soon as Migraines develop. They alleviate or eliminate Migraine symptoms such as headache, nausea, sensitivity, and more.

Common Migraine-stopping drugs include

Triptans (5-hydroxytryptamines)
Titans (Lasmiditan)
Gepants (rimegepant, ubrogepant)
Dihydroergotamine (Prochlorperazine)
Antiemetics (metoclopramide)

Medications to prevent Migraines

If you have severe symptoms that interfere with your daily routine or suffer from regular Migraines, your doctor will usually prescribe preventive drugs. These drugs lower the frequency and severity of your Migraines. These medications can be taken as advised, which is usually once a day.

Common preventative Migraine medicines include

Anti-epileptic drugs (valproic acid, topiramate)
Beta-blockers (atenolol, propranolol, and nadolol)
Calcium channel blockers (Verapamil)
Monoclonal antibodies (erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab).
Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and doxepin)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (venlafaxine and duloxetine)

You and your healthcare practitioner will discuss the best drug, a combination of medications, and formulations to manage your symptoms. All drugs should be administered under the supervision of a headache specialist or provider. As with any medication, it is critical to carefully follow your doctor’s instructions.

Which is the Strongest Migraine Medicine?

Triptans were five to six times more effective than ibuprofen. Eletriptan, the top-ranked medication, was effective 78% of the time. Other triptans, such as zolmitriptan (Zomig) and sumatriptan (Imitrex), were effective in 74% and 72% of cases, respectively.

What is in Excedrin Migraine?

Excedrin Migraines have three active ingredients: aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine. These medications work together to alleviate discomfort. Acetaminophen functions as both a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Aspirin (an NSAID) relieves pain, inflammation, and edema.

How often can you take Excedrin for Migraines?

The typical adult dosage for Excedrin Migraine is two caplets with a glass of water. Take no more than two caplets in 24 hours, unless recommended by your doctor. Excedrin Migraines contains 250 mg of acetaminophen, 250 mg of aspirin (an NSAID), and 65 mg of caffeine per capsule or geltab.

What happens if you take 4 Excedrin Migraines in 24 hours?

Excedrin migraine capsules or gel tabs contain 250 mg of acetaminophen, 250 mg of aspirin (an NSAID), and 65 mg of caffeine. using more than two caplets in 24 hours may result in an acetaminophen overdose, especially if you are already using other acetaminophen-containing medications.

Over-the-counter Migraine medications

If you suffer from mild to moderate Migraines, over-the-counter Migraine drugs can help. The primary constituents in pain relievers are ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, and caffeine.

Use caution when taking over-the-counter pain medicines. Overuse may result in analgesic-rebound headaches or a dependency problem. If you take over-the-counter pain relievers more than twice or three times a week, notify your doctor. They may recommend more effective prescription drugs.

Avoiding Migraine triggers

A healthcare provider can assist you in determining what causes your Migraines. They might ask you to keep a Migraine journal or diary. A Migraine journal can help you keep track of when a Migraine occurs, how you feel, and how long it lasts. You can also include information on the meals you ate and the activities you engaged in to learn more about any potential triggers.

Numerous smartphone apps can help you keep a Migraine journal. Once you’ve identified a trigger, you can take action to avoid it. This is not always possible, but being aware of your triggers can help you detect and treat Migraines as they occur.

For example, if stress is a trigger, you may want to consult with a mental health specialist to assist you manage it. If you experience Migraine symptoms after missing a meal, set an alarm on your phone to remind you to eat on a regular schedule.

What Migraine treatments are available during pregnancy?

Consult your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant and have Migraines. Your doctor may advise you to avoid Migraine drugs if you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant. Some drugs can harm the fetus’s development.

For Migraines, your practitioner may offer alternate treatments such as acetaminophen pain relievers.

How to get rid of a Migraine?

There are certain things you may do to help you feel better when you have a Migraines episode, including:

Resting in a dark, quiet, cold place
Applying a cool or warm compress or washcloth to your forehead or the back of your neck
Massage your scalp
Apply pressure to your temples in a circular motion
Keeping yourself tranquil (by meditation)

Can a Migraine be prevented?

You cannot prevent all Migraines. However, you can take preventive Migraine drugs as prescribed by your doctor to lessen the frequency and severity of your Migraine symptoms. You can also discover your triggers and work with your healthcare practitioner to avoid them.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Schedule an appointment with your healthcare practitioner if you have:

New symptoms.
Worsening symptoms
Side effects of treatment

If you find yourself in the following situation:

Have the worst headache of your life (thunderclap headache).
Experienced any new neurological symptoms, such as trouble speaking, balance problems, vision issues, confusion, seizures, or numbing/tingling sensations?
Have a headache after sustaining a head injury.

Conclusion

A Migraine is not the same as a typical headache. It can feel like the world is dying, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Even if your symptoms are just momentary, the duration of a Migraine might make you feel like time is flowing slowly and against you. However, there are therapy alternatives available to help control Migraines as they occur and keep them from interfering with your day. A healthcare professional can assist you with this so that Migraines do not take over your life. ER of Watauga is your go-to emergency care for offering reliable healthcare services. Visit us today if you are facing severe Migraine pain, as we have a highly qualified and well-equipped team of Doctors with years of experience in the medical field. Contact Us now to book an appointment.

FAQs

What distinguishes Migraines from typical headaches?

Migraines are frequently more severe and occur with additional symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light. They can remain longer and are sometimes accompanied by an “aura,” which serves as a warning indication before the headache.

Can Migraines be hereditary, and what are the known risk factors?

Yes, genetics play a part, and having a Migraine-prone family member increases the chance. Other triggers include hormone changes, stress, specific foods, and environmental factors.

How can I tell the difference between a Migraine and a tension headache?

Migraines usually cause pulsing pain on one side of the head, nausea, and sensitivity to stimuli. strain headaches are characterized by persistent discomfort on both sides, which is frequently caused by stress or muscle strain.

Are there any effective non-pharmaceutical Migraine treatments?

Yes, lifestyle modifications such as sticking to a regular sleep schedule, controlling stress, and identifying and avoiding triggers can help to lessen the frequency and intensity of Migraines.

When should I get professional help for Migraines?

If your headaches are severe, frequent, or interfering with your everyday activities, you should see a doctor. They can assist in determining the precise type of Migraine and recommending an appropriate treatment regimen.