Anyone, who has suffered migraine headaches, can tell you that migraine can be hard to endure. In simple words, migraine headaches cause incredible throbbing pain, typically affecting one area/part of the head. In most cases, patients complain of pain sensation that’s hard to ignore, and they can become very sensitive to sound and environment around them. There are medications available that can help with the headaches, but you should definitely see a doctor for recurring migraines.
What are the common symptoms?
There are four stages in migraine, called ‘prodrome’, ‘aura’, ‘attack’ and ‘post-drome’. Prodrome refers to the initial symptoms that precede a migraine attack. Some patients may not have any such symptoms too. Prodrome symptoms include mood swings, cravings, constipation, and more yawning. The second stage is called the aura, which is more like a ‘visual phenomena’. Patients may see bright spots, suddenly lose vision temporarily, trouble hearing certain sounds, and certain body movements that may seem uncontrollable. The third stage is the actual migraine attack, which can last for as long as three days. The attack may pain in one area of thee head, pulsating sensation, and unexpected sensitivity to both sound and light, accompanied by nausea. The post-drome symptoms are less likely, but patients may not feel their best and want some rest.
What are the causes?
The causes of migraine are not entirely known, but in most cases, genetics are known to have a role, and so do environmental factors. There could be triggers, like women may face more migraine attacks because of change in hormonal levels. Drinking too much coffee, certain foods, extreme physical or mental exertion can also cause a migraine headache.
‘When should I see a doctor?’
Many patients don’t even know that they have migraine, and it remains untreated in many cases. If you have too many recurring headaches, you should definitely see a doctor. It is also easy to confuse migraine with other kinds of headaches, such as headaches caused by sinus problems. However, see a doctor if you have frequent headaches, with fever, vision issues, or you cannot seem to control your headaches with simple medications. If a headache lasts for more than a day, or you are experiencing such headaches suddenly after the age of 50, seeking medical advice is recommended.
Your doctor may give preventive and pain-relief medications for migraine, depending on the diagnosis. Check with an expert to know more.
