Right now, someone somewhere is probably slumped on their desk, fingers massaging their aching and throbbing temple. They are also probably cursing the light and are wishing for nothing more than to curl up in their darkened room and will the pain away. It's a migraine and it is something that will make you go beyond angst.
Head Shot
A migraine can be described as headaches going overdrive; it is a form of vascular headache, caused by the enlargement of the blood vessels as well as the release of chemicals that coil around these vessels. Whenever a migraine attacks you, the artery that lies just outside the skull and just under the skin of the temple, called the temporal artery, becomes enlarged, causing the nerves that coil around it to stretch and release chemicals. The chemicals, in turn, cause the artery to become more inflamed, which becomes more painful, and further enlarges the artery. It is a vicious circle that goes on for hours, or even days.
In most cases, migraines happen without any warning signs. However, there are some people who experience what's called “a migraine with an aura,” where they have sensations, mostly visual, that come before—and sometimes accompanying—the attacks. These visual signs and symptoms may include:
•shimmering spots
•zigzag lines that gradually appear in tour line of vision
•blurred vision
•flashes of light
•vision loss in one of the eyes
There are also other types of sensations that accompany these visual cues. They inlude:
•feelings of numbness
•dizziness and nausea
•tingling sensations in parts of your body, particularly the fingers
•difficulty with speech
These other symptoms that come with a migraine attack are probably due to the attack itself activating your body's sympathetic nervous system, which is considered the part of the system that controls the primitive responses to pain and stress. For example, nausea is thought to be due to an increase in the sympathetic nervous activity in the intestines. The cold hands and feet as well as the pallor is attributed to the decrease of blood circulation when there is an increase in sympathetic activity. It is also the reason why you get blurred vision as well as increased sensitivity to light and sound during attacks.
Migraine is one of the most common reasons for missed work and loss of productivity in a workplace. Statistics have also shown that women suffer more migraines than men, with 17% for the women as opposed to 6% of the men. Experts chalk this up to hormone fluctuations; studies being undertaken have shown that while more adult women suffer them than adult men, the migraine attacks are approximately equally distributed for boys and girls who have yet to reach puberty. Also, migraines are known to disappear during pregnancy in a significant number of migraine sufferers.
Getting Rid of Migraines
Medications have been designed to specifically treat migraines. However, you can also use common drugs that are used to treat other conditions. Medications that are used to treat migraines fall into two categories:
•Pain-relieving medications. These are medications you take when the migraine attack strikes. They are designed to relieve the symptoms that have already begun. Some of the more common pain-relieving medications include:
◦a) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Also known as NSAIDs, these drugs are used primarily to reduce swelling and inflammation. Common examples are ibuprofen and aspirin, and they may be used to relieve mild migraine symptoms. There are also NSAIDs marketed specifically for migraines.
◦b) Triptans. Triptans are the drug of choice for severe migraine attacks. They are also great for relieving migraine with auras, eliminating pain, nausea, and the sensitivity to light and sound.
◦c) Ergots. Before triptans were introduced, ergots were the drug of choice for migraines. They are less expensive than triptans but they are also less effective.
◦d) Anti-nausea medications. Get rid of the nausea during attacks by getting anti-nausea medications. Metoclopramide and prochlorperazine are frequent medications or this.
•Preventive medications. These are drugs you take regularly in order to reduce the frequency of the migraine attacks. They include:
◦a) Cardiovascular drugs. Beta blockers can be used to reduce the frequency as well as the severity of migraines. Examples are verapamil, lisinopril, and candesartan. Side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness.
◦b) Antidepressants. There are antidepressant medications that are good at preventing all types of headaches, and migraines are among them. Tricyclic antidepressants are the most effective, such as amitriptyline and protriptyline. They help by affecting the level of serotonin and other chemicals on your brain.
◦c) Cyproheptadine. It is an antihistamine that specifically affects activity of serotonins. It is used as a preventive measure.
Aside from medications, you may also benefit from these tips:
◦Relax and get enough rest. One of the common symptoms of migraines is extreme sensitivity to light and sounds. If possible, rest in a dark and quiet place. It will help soothe your pain and recovery.
◦Try muscle relaxation exercises. Yoga and meditative exercises can help calm you down and reduce the intensity of the pain by focusing on something else.
◦Get lots of vitamin B2. Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, has been known to help lessen the frequency of migraines with a specific dosage. Riboflavin can be found in yogurt, eggs, leafy vegetables, and fish. It's recommended to take it in pill form, however, for faster action.
◦Exercise regularly. Regular exercise can help reduce tension and prevent migraines. You don't need serious a exercise regimen; a light aerobic style will do. Just be sure to warm up before you start, though. Sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches.
Although migraines are common, their treatment and symptoms can be quite complex, sometimes tailored to the individual's medical history. Before you undertake any medications, make sure to check with your doctor first. That way, you will not exacerbate your migraine problem with another disease.