Oh God, What A Headache
The most common complaint which many people have is a headache.
There are many causes of headaches, one of the commonest reasons is Migraines.
Migraine is a neurological condition causing multiple symptoms primarily headaches. The other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, difficulty in speaking, numbness or tingling, photophobia, visual disturbances, giddiness and paresthesias.
In rare cases some people may experience syncope and seizures.
Migraine is commonly triggered by some factors like some specific situations, bright light, loud sound and strong smell, many more.
Common triggering factors include skipping meals, consuming alcohol, caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee, inadequate sleep, excess physical and mental exertion, bright lights, loud sound and a strong smell of specific foods, menstruation in females.
The signs or symptoms which people get before a migraine attack is known as AURA OF MIGRAINE. It is the term for any sensory change that affects vision, hearing or ability to speak, sometimes muscle weakness or tingling sensation also.
Usually a migraine lasts for 4 to 72 hours if left untreated.
Treatment
Migraines are often under diagnosed and no treatment is required as it is a clinical diagnosis. Based on the symptoms the patient experiences, treatment are given.
If the patient regularly experiences symptoms of migraine, it is advised to keep a record of attacks. Consult the treating doctor to discuss the pattern and duration of headaches.
If the headache is severe and persistent then the treating doctor advises for a brain scan which helps the doctor in their treatment plan.
The treatment is dependent on the severity and frequency of migraine attacks. If the person gets disturbed and suffers in his routine activities by these attacks, definitely it is an alarming sign and there is a need to see a consulting doctor.
Simple Steps To Avoid Migraine Attacks
1) Lifestyle modification –
Avoid fasting and skipping meals, have at a regular time. Avoid foods that trigger a migraine attack.
2) Hydration –
Drink water regularly to avoid dehydration.
3) Exercise –
Practice easy relaxation techniques. Do some simple exercises. Exercise and diet help in maintaining good health. Breathing exercises help in relaxing the mind, thereby keeping away from migraine attacks.
4) Avoid stress –
Stressful situations are part and parcel of life. It depends on the person how they handle it. To avoid stress, simplify the work, manage time, take breaks time to time.
These small changes indeed bring a lot of changes in the person’s life and help in avoiding migraine attacks.
Still some people may not get relief. The other type of treatment includes
a) Pain relieving medicines –
Some medications which can ease the pain are prescribed by a doctor to get rid of the pain and symptoms of a migraine headache. These provide temporary relief from headaches.
b) Preventive therapy –
In some cases the pain does not subside and continues to hamper daily activities. In such cases doctors prescribe some medicines which are to be taken on a regular basis for certain time period which helps them to get relief from the pain.
Some Mistakes Many People Do Unknowingly And Create Trouble For Themselves
1) Continuing the medication for a longer period of time without consulting doctor which affects the vital organs of the body.
2) The frequency and the duration of headaches not reported to the consulting doctor, which misleads the course of treatment.
3) Not following the lifestyle modifications like following regular meal patterns and sleeping on time.
4) Discontinuing the treatment without informing the treating doctor.
5) Sometimes patients store the medicines and continue to take them without having any knowledge of the expiry date. These medicines interfere in the treatment. They may even show some side effects and in long term develop into some complicated condition.
Migraines are the kind of headaches that can create hassles in daily activities. They can make life miserable if left untreated and unattended. It can have a significant impact on daily life, making it difficult to work or perform regular activities.
Consult your doctor and get treated at the right time to get rid of this dreadful situation. Knowledge of the triggering factors can help prevent migraine attacks. Implementing some simple changes in daily life can help in leading a healthy life.