Causes & Triggers
Numerous factors such as hormonal, trigeminal nerve and vascular involvement, serotonin imbalance etc have been assumed, however no precise cause & mechanism for its manifestation is currently known or when this article was published.
There are numerous trigger of Migraine, some of which are:
- Food & drinks: Alcohol, chocolates, caffeine, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), fermented food and pickles
- Hormonal imbalance: Migraines may appear in relation to the periods, pregnancy & menopause.
- Lack of sleep of alteration in sleep pattern
- Medications: Contraceptive pills, Excessive use of migraine relieving pain-killers, HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) etc
- Sensory Stimuli: Sunlight, bright or fluorescent light, glare and loud noises and
unusual or strong smells
- Skipping or delaying a meal
- Stress: Excessive mental & physical stress, depression and insomnia
- Watching movies or moving objects may trigger an attack
Signs & Symptoms
Migraine attacks typically have the following stages:
- Prodrome
- Aura
- Headache
- Postdrome
Prodrome
Less than half of Migraineurs experience prodromal symptoms which appear a few hours or days prior to an attack. These symptoms, if recognized early, can help one avoid the actual attack. A general feeling of elation, irritability or an unusually, sudden desire for sweets, water etc appears during this stage.
Headaches with auras
Approximately I/5 of individuals suffering from migraine experience an aura or warning symptoms 15-20 minutes prior to an attack. The aura comprise of:
- Visual: Wavy, flashing or sparkling light or blind spots in the field of vision
- Olfactory: Smelling odors that are actually not there
- Tingling or needle like sensation in their arms, face etc
- Difficulty in speaking or weakness in articulation
Headaches without aura
Individuals experiencing such attacks primarily suffer from the pain and do not experience any other associated symptom or symptoms before the attack. Symptoms during this attack are:
- Pain confined to one side of the head or may affect both sides
- Pain may also affect the eyes, temple area and may radiate to the face and jaws
- Nature of pain is usually moderate to sever and pulsating or throbbing
- Pain associated with nausea and/or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and noises during the pain
- Sensitive to anything touching the head during attack
- Pain may typically last for up to 72 hours
Postdrome
Following the attack most individuals experience the following symptoms which last for a few hours to day:
- Tiredness or Fatigue
- Depression or mood elation
- Poor comprehension
- Lack of concentration
Investigation
- Diagnosis is usually based on the presenting symptoms and on the basis of your family history
- MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging helps to diagnose tumors or growth vascular and neurological abnormalities such as strokes and aneurism etc
- CT scan: May be further recommended if the physician is in doubt and helps to further details and diagnose tumors, infections etc. responsible for headaches.
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