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Migraine HeadacheMigraine Headache Migraine headaches are one of the most severe types of headaches people can experience and are a big cause of pain and suffering in those who have them. Migraines are one of the most common types of headaches doctors see in their offices and are most often seen in people between the ages of 10 to 30 years of age (they can still happen in younger or older people). Those who suffer from Migraines can have headaches at much different frequency then the next person. That is, one person may have a headache almost every day and another may only have one or two a year. What causes Migraine Headaches The exact cause of Migraine Headaches is unknown at this time. However, some doctors believe that what causes these headaches is a result of what happens in the blood vessels that go into your head and brain. When people have Migraine Headaches, it has been shown with imaging studies (pictures of the head and neck in this case) that they have a small amount of closing off their blood vessels. Doctors call this “arterial spasm.” It is important to know that this small amount of closing off of the blood vessels does not stop blood from getting through to your brain. How arterial spasm (the small amount of closing off of the blood vessels) leads to Migraines is still not known at this time. All we can say is that we know this is happening in your blood vessels and it seems to be the most likely cause of these severe headaches. Many people with Migraine Headaches have notices that some things seem to cause them to get Migraines. These are called Migraine triggers and some of the more commonly mentioned triggers are listed below. A good way to help you learn what may be a trigger for your Migraine Headaches is to keep a diary of what you eat or do each day and note when you have another headache. You may soon learn a pattern and be able to avoid your trigger (ex. Every time I eat dark chocolate I get a migraine). 1. Dehydration (not drinking enough water or fluids). 2. Foods- almost any food could be a trigger for you, but one of the most commonly mentioned is chocolate. 3. Weather-often people notice pressure changes, such as those with heavy rain or snow seem to be connected with their headaches. 4. Stress- having too much to do, always being worried, etc. The key here is to give yourself some time off and take a break now and then. Relax. 5. Menstruation - women often notice a connection of their Migraines with their period. 6. Sexual intercourse- believe it or not, some people notice they have migraines soon after they have orgasms. 7. Sleep- a lack of a good amount of sleep, poor sleeping habits and an inconsistent sleep patter (going to bed and waking up at different times every day) all seem to be related to Migraines for some people. Some doctors really encourage you to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. 8. Bright lights and loud noises. 9. Working out/exercising What do Migraine Headaches feel like The way to remember how doctors diagnose Migraine Headaches can be remembered by the word “POUND.” Pounding and Pulsatile- people say it feels like someone is hitting them in the head with a hammer. Pulsatile means the pain comes and goes from second to second. One day- Migraines do not always last an entire day, but many can. Migraines can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Unilateral- this means that the pain in a Migraine Headache is usually only on one side of your head. Nausea (sick stomach)- even to the point of throwing up Disabling- many who suffer from Migraines try and escape by going to bed as they cannot do much else as their symptoms (what they are feeling) are so bad. Other things people with Migraines can experience include: Photophobia- this means they avoid light as it often makes their headaches worse. People often avoid any noise as well. The combination of these two means people usually go find a quite and dark room. Aura- This is a word doctors use to describe what some people experience just before they get a Migraine. An aura can be anything unusual someone notices such as visual changes (blurred vision is the most common aura symptom people notice), smelling something strange, etc. Only 15 to 20% of people with Migraines have aura. Problems or changes in nerves- some people notice numbness, tingling, decreased feeling in fingers, arms, loss of vision, etc. If you notice any of these things in particular contact your doctor as soon as possible as these things may be signs of a more serious medical condition, such as stroke. Migraine Headaches are diagnosed by your doctor just by them listening to you when you talk about your headaches. A general rule for doctors is that if someone comes into their office and has 3 or more of the above mentioned symptoms (pounding/pulsatile, one sided, long lasting headache, sick stomach, severe and disabling, with avoidance of light, with or without aura) they are extremely likely to have Migraine Headaches (over 90% likely). Other things that will help your doctor diagnose you with Migraines is a positive family history of Migraine headaches (mention if your mom, dad or sisters and brothers have Migraines) and a headache diary (when you get each headache and what you ate or were doing at the time) if you are able to keep one for several weeks or months before you visit them. How are Migraine Headaches treated? Many doctors first recommend avoiding any triggers you may have noticed, managing stress and even trying relaxation therapy. If these simple changes do not make a difference or you would like more treatment, there are medications that can be used to help with these headaches. For Migraines that are not yet too severe, some doctors recommend pain medications such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Aspirin, etc. More severe attacks are treated with special medications your doctor can give to you called “Triptans.“ These mediations work best if you use them as soon as you notice a headache coming on. The best way to think about this is to imagine your headache is a fire. You can pour a bucket of water on a small campfire and put it out, but if you wait until the whole forest is on fire, your bucket is not going to do a thing. So again, if you have Triptans for Migraine headaches take them as soon as you notice a headache coming on, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. These statements are for you to better understand your health and should no way be used as a substitute to seeing your doctor. Please talk with them before making any changes in your health or treatment plan. | |
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