Migraines are intense headaches that cause severe, throbbing pain, often felt on one side of the head. They can last for hours or even several days and tend to worsen with physical movement, bright lights, loud sounds, or strong smells. For many people, migraines can be debilitating, interfering with their everyday activities and making it hard to keep up with responsibilities. Thankfully, there are treatments available to help manage migraine symptoms.
What is a Migraine?
A migraine is not just a typical headache. It comes with intense head pain, often described as throbbing or pulsating, which may worsen with activity. Migraines can make it difficult to function in daily life, affecting your work, personal commitments, and social interactions. While migraine episodes can last for a few hours, in some cases, they may persist for days.
Common Types of Migraines:
There are different kinds of migraines, each with its own set of symptoms. Here are the most common types:
- Migraine with aura: This type includes visual disturbances, such as seeing flashing lights or zigzag patterns, before the headache begins.
- Migraine without aura: The more common form of migraine, where the headache occurs without any warning signs.
An aura is a set of symptoms that occur before the head pain starts. It can include vision changes, difficulty speaking, or even tingling in certain body parts.
Other Types of Migraines:
In addition to the common migraine types, there are several other forms, including:
- Chronic migraine: Occurs frequently, often more than 15 days a month.
- Menstrual migraine: Triggered by hormonal changes during menstruation.
- Hemiplegic migraine: Causes temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body.
- Retinal migraine (also known as ocular migraine): Affects vision in one eye before or during the headache.
- Migraine without headache (or silent migraine): All the migraine symptoms except the headache itself.
- Status migrainosus: A severe form of migraine that can last for more than 72 hours.
Phases of a Migraine:
Migraines are more than just severe headaches—they come in phases that affect people in different ways. To help you better understand migraine symptoms and what to expect, here’s a breakdown of the four key stages.
- Prodrome- The Early Warning: The prodrome stage occurs up to 24 hours before a migraine strikes. It’s a sort of early warning system that may bring on subtle symptoms like mood changes, food cravings, or frequent yawning. You might not even realize it’s a sign of an approaching migraine until the headache begins.
- Aura- Sensory Disturbances: The aura phase is a collection of sensory and visual symptoms that serve as an alert that a migraine is about to happen. Some people see flashes of light, zigzag lines, or experience blurred vision. This phase can last anywhere from five to 60 minutes. In some cases, the aura and headache may overlap, so they happen at the same time.
- Headache- The Main Event: The migraine headache itself is the most intense stage. It can last between four hours and 72 hours, with symptoms like throbbing pain, sensitivity to light, and nausea. Migraines often occur on one side of the head but can affect both sides too. During this time, finding a quiet, dark space may help ease the pain.
- Postdrome- The Aftermath: Once the headache phase ends, the postdrome stage begins. It’s often referred to as the “migraine hangover” because symptoms such as fatigue, confusion, and sensitivity to light can linger for a few hours or even up to 48 hours. You may feel drained and unable to focus as your body recovers from the migraine.
Symptoms Overview and Causes of Migraine:
Migraines are known to come with different symptoms depending on their phase. Not everyone experiences all stages of a migraine, and symptoms can vary with each attack. Some people may only feel certain signs before or after the headache, while others go through the entire cycle.
| Phase | Symptoms |
| Prodrome Symptoms: | Mood changes, Difficulty concentrating, Trouble sleeping, Fatigue, Nausea, Increased hunger and thirst, Frequent urination |
| Aura Symptoms: | Muscle weakness, Vision changes, Ringing in your ears (tinnitus), Sensitivity to touch, Numbness and tingling, Difficulty speaking or concentrating |
| Headache Attack Symptoms: | Head pain gradually intensifies, Nausea and vomiting, Light, sound, and odor sensitivity |
| Postdrome Symptoms: | Fatigue, Stiff neck, Sensitivity to light and sound, Difficulty concentrating, Nausea, Dizziness |
What Causes a Migraine?
Migraines are a complex condition, and researchers still don’t know the exact cause. However, studies indicate that genetics may play a significant role in their development. During a migraine, certain nerves located in blood vessels become activated, which then send pain signals to the brain. As a result, inflammatory substances are released into the nerves and blood vessels in your head. The specific reason why this occurs remains unclear, but this process triggers the severe pain often associated with migraines.
What Triggers a Migraine: Migraines can often be brought on by certain triggers, which are specific things or situations that make symptoms start. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can help in managing migraine attacks more effectively. Below are some of the most common migraine triggers:
- Stress
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medications
- Sleep Changes
- Weather Changes
- Overexertion
- Addictive substances like tobacco or caffeine
- Skipping Meals
- Exposure to bright lights, loud noises, or strong odors.
Your doctor can help you identify your triggers. They might recommend keeping a migraine journal to track similarities between migraine attacks.
What Foods Trigger Migraines: Your body might react to certain chemicals and preservatives found in everyday foods, which can make migraines more likely. When combined with other migraine triggers, these foods can set off painful headaches. Here are some of the most common foods that can trigger migraines:
- Chocolate
- Aged cheese
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Fermented or Pickled Foods
- Food Additives (Nitrates and MSG)
- Processed or Cured Meats (hot dogs, pepperoni)
Are Migraines Hereditary: Migraines can often be passed down through families. If you experience migraines, there’s a good chance that someone in your family, like a parent or sibling, does too. In fact, up to 80% of people who suffer from migraines have a close biological family member who also deals with them.
Treatment and Management of Migraine:
How is a Migraine Treated: Migraines can’t be cured, but migraine treatment can effectively manage symptoms. To reduce their impact, a healthcare provider may recommend
- medications for migraine relief
- suggest avoiding migraine triggers
- explore alternative remedies for migraines
These approaches can help individuals prevent and cope with migraine attacks.
What Medications Treat Migraines: A doctor might recommend taking medicines to treat migraines. There are two main types of medications for migraines:
- Medications to stop migraines: To stop migraines, medications can be taken at the first sign to relieve symptoms like pain, nausea, and sensitivity.
- Medications to prevent migraines: For severe or frequent migraines, preventive medications may be prescribed by a healthcare provider to reduce the frequency and intensity. These are often taken daily to manage migraines effectively.
Common Medications That Stop Migraines include:
- Triptans (Sumatriptan, 5-hydroxytryptamine)
- Ditans (lasmiditan).
- Gepants (rimegepant and ubrogepant).
- Dihydroergotamine (prochlorperazine).
- Antiemetic medications (metoclopramide).
Note: Sumatriptan is a highly effective therapeutic drug because of its role in blocking migraine-related pain signals.
Common Preventive Migraine Medications include:
- Beta-blockers (atenolol, propranolol, nadolol).
- Antiseizure medications (valproic acid, topiramate).
- Monoclonal antibodies (erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab).
- Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, doxepin).
- Calcium channel blockers (verapamil).
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (venlafaxine, duloxetine).
Where can I Access Migraine Medicines?
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Conclusion:
Migraines are a complex condition that requires a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments to manage effectively. Sumatriptan remains one of the most trusted options for treating acute migraine attacks, offering relief from debilitating symptoms. If you suffer from migraines, consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan suited to your specific needs.
