Migraine is a medical condition that causes severe, recurring headaches that may throb or pulse. Other symptoms include nausea, light aversion, and dizziness.
A migraine episode is a type of headache. An episode usually occurs in stages and can last for several days. Severe cases can affect a person’s daily life, including their ability to work or study.
Migraine can affect people in different ways, and the triggers, severity, symptoms, and frequency can vary. Some people have more than one episode each week, while others have them only occasionally.
In 2018, researchers found that more than 15%Trusted Source of adults in the United States had experienced a migraine episode or a severe headache within the last 3 months.
Research from 2015 found that migraine affects just over 19%Trusted Source of females and 9% of males. Episodes often occur in people aged 18–44 years, but they can happen at any time, including during childhood.
Symptoms of migraine tend to occur in stages:
Before the headache: According to research from 2008, 20–60%Trusted Source of people with migraine experience symptoms that start hours or days before the headache.
At this stage, a person might experience a “prodrome,” which may involve emotional changes, specifically depression and irritability. A prodrome can also include yawning, dizziness, thirst, frequent urination, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Sometimes an aura can occur. This involves physical or sensory symptoms, such as flashing lights in the field of vision.
During the headache: Alongside a mild to severe, throbbing or pulsing headache, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, neck pain, dizziness, and nasal congestion.
Resolution: After the headache, tiredness and irritability may last another 2 days. This is sometimes called the “migraine hangover.”
Other common features of migraine are:
Other symptoms may include sweating, feeling unusually hot or cold, a stomachache, and diarrhea.
A migraine episode is different from a typical headache. The experience is different, and they can have different causes.
Writing down the symptoms and when they occur can help a person and their healthcare professional identify migraine episodes. Keep this journal for at least 8 weeks, and note down:
Experts think that migraine episodes may stem from changes in the brain that affect the:
Genetic features may also play a role — having a family history Trusted Source of migraine is a common risk factor.
Migraine triggers vary from person to person. They commonly include:
Some other possible triggers include:
Avoiding triggers, when possible, may help reduce the frequency of migraine episodes.
Migraine can be a debilitating condition that is underdiagnosed and challenging to treat. This can be seen especially in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) populations. People of Color are less likely to receive the diagnosis of migraine and the treatment than white people.
In fact, only 47% of African Americans Trusted Source have an official migraine diagnosis, compared with 70% of white people in the country. And other research found that Latino people are 50% less likely to receive a formal migraine diagnosis than white people. These disparities can impact treatment and therapies.
While these figures could lead to the conclusion that white people experience more migraine episodes than other groups, an analysis of nine studies Trusted Source looking at the average prevalence of severe headaches or migraine from 2005 to 2012 in the U.S. found that the prevalence rates of episodes across all groups were similar:
Furthermore, females in all groups were approximately twice as likely to experience migraine episodes than males.
Overall, studies that discuss migraine and use racial and ethnic differences for clarity often do not consider contributing factors. Further research is warranted, and this should consider behavioral, environmental, genetic, and socioeconomic factors, as well as access to healthcare.
Anyone can develop migraine, and there is a slightly higher risk for people with:
There is no cure for migraine. However, medications can treat the symptoms when they arise, and people can take steps to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes. But keep in mind that these medications can have side effects.
Some over-the-counter pain relief medications that may benefit people with migraine include:
Other options include:
It is important to avoid overusing medication because overuse can cause a rebound headache. A healthcare professional can help a person decide how much of each medication is safe and effective.
Some home care strategies that can help relieve migraine symptoms include:
The following supplements might help prevent migraine. However, there is limited evidence that they work, and not much is known about their side effects:
Other nondrug approaches may include acupuncture Trusted Source and neck exercises or physical therapy.
Before trying any of these, speak with a healthcare professional. Research has not shown that these approaches work.
Various products that claim to help relieve migraine are available for purchase online.
Anyone looking for alternative therapy, such as acupuncture, should go to a qualified and experienced professional
While it is not always possible to prevent migraine episodes, there are ways to reduce their frequency and severity.
The following prescription drugs may help reduce the number of episodes that a person with severe migraine experiences:
It may take several weeks to see an improvement.
The best treatment in children or adolescents may be different from that in adults. A healthcare professional can help recommend the most effective approach.
A migraine episode sometimes happens in response to a trigger. To identify a trigger, a person might keep a diary and record how they felt and what they did, ate, and drank before the symptoms appeared.
It may be particularly helpful to avoid:
The following strategies may help reduce the frequency of migraine episodes:
If making these changes does not ease the severity and frequency of migraine episodes, a doctor may suggest medication or other options.
There are various types of migraine. A major distinguishing factor is whether they involve aura — sensory changes.
Aura is a disturbance of the senses in the early stages of a migraine episode.
Aura can involve:
A visual aura may feel like the aftermath of a very bright camera flash, but the visual changes may last for several minutes or up to 1 hour.
Anyone experiencing an aura for the first time should contact a healthcare professional to rule out serious neurological problems, such as a stroke or a brain tumor.
Find out more about migraine aura here.
More commonly, a person experiences no sensory disturbances before an episode. According to the Migraine Trust, 70–90% of episodes occur without aura.
Some other types of migraine include:
Anyone who may be experiencing any neurological symptoms should get medical attention. And people who need treatment for migraine should consult a healthcare professional.
The International Headache Society recommends the “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” criteria to diagnose migraine without aura. These numbers stand for:
The doctor may recommend imaging or other tests to exclude other causes of the symptoms, such as a tumor, meningitis, or a stroke.
The International Headache Society recommends the “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” criteria to diagnose migraine without aura. These numbers stand for:
The doctor may recommend imaging or other tests to exclude other causes of the symptoms, such as a tumor, meningitis, or a stroke.
A person should consult a healthcare professional if they experience:
If any of the following occur, seek immediate medical help:
These could indicate another condition that may need urgent attention, such as a stroke.
Migraine is a medical condition that involves a headache and other symptoms. It is not just a bad headache, and it can have a significant impact on daily life, making it difficult to work and do everyday activities.
Identifying and avoiding triggers can often help reduce the frequency or severity of episodes, though it is not always possible to prevent them.
Medication and other treatments can help manage migraine symptoms. Anyone who has concerns should contact a healthcare professional.
Migraine is a medical condition that involves a headache and other symptoms. It is not just a bad headache, and it can have a significant impact on daily life, making it difficult to work and do everyday activities.
Identifying and avoiding triggers can often help reduce the frequency or severity of episodes, though it is not always possible to prevent them.
Medication and other treatments can help manage migraine symptoms. Anyone who has concerns should contact a healthcare professional.
Source: Medical News Today
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