Migraines: Welcome back to The Ultimate News’ health column, ‘The Science Of Health’. Last time, we discussed the scientific basis for the physical effects of strokes and how to treat these conditions. This time, we’ll go over what causes migraine attacks, the different types and phases, and how to treat these excruciating and debilitating headaches.
Migraines are headaches caused by abnormal brain activity, which can be triggered by a variety of factors. These excruciating headaches are frequently accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and odours.
Recurrent attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head are caused by the activation of nerve fibres within the wall of the brain blood vessels travelling inside the meninges, which refer to the three layers of membranes surround the brain and spinal cord.
The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that during a migraine attack, certain factors cause nerves branching off the brainstem to become overexcited, resulting in blood vessel dilation. Simply put, the activation of nerve pathways in the brain causes the production of certain chemicals that influence blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues.
What Triggers Migraine Attacks?
Migraines typically occur in the morning, particularly after waking up. In some cases, migraines occur before menstruation or on weekends following a stressful week at work.
Most Common Triggers for Migraine Attacks
The most common factors triggering migraines include sudden changes in the weather or environment, strong odors or fumes, stress, loud or sudden noises, low blood sugar, tobacco, head trauma, medications, bright or flashing lights, inadequate or excessive sleep, emotions, overexertion, motion sickness, skipped meals, anxiety and depression, hangover, hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle or due to the use of birth control pills, caffeine withdrawal, consumption of alcohol, and strenuous exercise, among others.
Foods that May Trigger Migraine Attacks
Foods that may trigger migraines include chocolates; foods with monosodium glutamate; fruits such as avocado, banana, and citrus fruits; onions; processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods; dairy foods, especially cheese; foods with tyramine, which include red wine, aged cheese, chicken livers, certain beans, smoked fish, and figs; meats containing nitrates, which include bacon, salami, hot dogs, and cured meats; and peanuts, nuts, and seeds, among others.
Factors that Worsen Migraine Attacks
Physical activity, movement, and travel are all potential triggers for migraine headaches.
Migraine headaches are most common between the ages of 10 and 45. Women are more prone to migraine attacks than men.
What Are The Phases of Migraine Attacks, and Associated Symptoms?
A migraine attack has four stages: the premonitory phase, the aura, the headache, and the postdrome period.
Premonitory Phase
Food cravings, uncontrollable yawning, increased urination, unexplained mood changes such as euphoria or depression, and fluid retention can all occur up to 24 hours before the onset of a migraine.
Aura
During the second phase, known as aura, a migraine sufferer may see flashing and bright lights, as well as experience muscle weakness. Aura, a collection of neurologic symptoms, is thought to be a warning sign for migraines.
During the aura phase, the person may experience blurred vision, see stars and zigzag lines, tunnel vision (the ability to see only objects near the centre of their field of view), eye pain, and temporary blind and coloured spots.
Headache
Headaches are the third stage of a migraine attack. By the time a headache appears, the migraine has progressed significantly.
Most migraine headaches cause severe pain on one or both sides of the head, as well as visual disturbances, nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms.
Migraines are caused by the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the headaches.
Migraine headaches start as a dull ache but worsen within minutes to hours, becoming excruciating when the pain occurs behind the eye or in the back of the head. These headaches can last from four to 72 hours and are accompanied by symptoms such as chills, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to external stimuli, increased urination, loss of appetite, and sweating.
Postdrome Period
The fourth and final phase of a migraine attack is known as the postdrome period, in which the patient feels exhausted or confused. This phase may last up to 24 hours.
What are The Two Main Types of Migraine, and Associated Symptoms?
There are two types of migraines: migraines with aura and migraines without aura.
Migraine with aura was previously known as classic migraine, while migraine without aura is referred to as common migraine.
Migraine With Aura
When a person has a migraine with aura, they begin to experience visual disturbances and neurological symptoms about 10 to 60 minutes before the headache, and they may temporarily lose some of their vision.
They may or may not develop a headache. Typical symptoms of migraine with aura include difficulty speaking, numbness, muscle weakness on one side of the body, confusion, abnormal sensation, tingling sensation in the hands or face, nausea, increased sensitivity to light, sound, and noise, and loss of appetite.
Migraine Without Aura
Symptoms of a common migraine include headaches without warning, usually on one side of the head, confusion, mood changes, increased sensitivity to external stimuli, nausea, blurred vision, and fatigue.
A migraine hangover is characterised by symptoms that persist even after the migraine has passed. A migraine hangover causes drowsiness, difficulty thinking, and neck pain.
How Can Migraine Attacks Be Prevented and Treated?
Since there is no known cure for migraine attacks, the symptoms can only be avoided or treated by avoiding triggers, making lifestyle changes, or taking medications.
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Migraine
To avoid migraine attacks, make lifestyle changes such as getting enough sleep and eating right, losing weight, and managing stress.
To avoid migraine attacks, people should sleep on time, get enough sleep, avoid skipping meals, and drink plenty of water.
Medicines to Reduce Frequency of Migraine Attacks
People who suffer from frequent migraine attacks can avoid these debilitating headaches by taking medicines prescribed for high blood pressure, and medicines used to treat seizures, and according to the National Institutes of Health, depression may be treated with botulinum toxin type A injections.
These can lessen the frequency of migraine attacks.
If the migraine attacks occur more than 15 days per month, the patient may be given botulinum toxin type A injections.
Medicines for People With Mild Migraine Attacks
When a migraine is mild, over-the-counter medications like naproxen, aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen can help.
However, excessive acetaminophen use can harm the liver, while uncontrolled use of naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen can irritate the kidneys and stomach.
Taking vitamin supplements like riboflavin and magnesium nutraceuticals can also help with migraine symptoms.