Countless people suffer from migraine headaches – are you one of them? It’s hard to know for sure if you don’t know what to look for. By definition, migraines are headaches that are disabling in nature. They likely stem from over constrictive nerves and vessels in the head. There are certain symptoms migraine sufferers experience; knowing what they are can help you determine if your next headache should warrant a trip to the doctor’s office.
Types of Migraines:
Generally speaking, there are three different types of migraines:
- Migraine without aura – The most common migraine (accounting for over 80% of cases), this refers to a migraine that’s not preceded by an aura – i.e. flashing lights, blurry vision, strange odor, etc.
- Migraine with aura – This is considered the classic migraine and is often much worse than a common one. Visual disturbances are an integral part of this diagnosis.
- Status migrainosus – This term is used to describe a migraine that will not end on its own.
Common symptoms are:
A throbbing pain along either side (or both sides) of the head that ranges from moderate to intolerable, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances and increased sensitivity to light and smells.
Who is at greater risk to suffer from migraine headaches?
Recent studies have shown that whites have a much higher rate of migraines than African Americans or Asians. In addition, women are more at risk to experience them than men. More than 75 percent of migraine sufferers are, in fact, female.
In addition, genetics play an important role in determining one’s risk for migraines. If you have someone in your immediate blood line that has been plagued with migraines, you might find yourself genetically predisposed to them as well.
Treatment Options:
The best way to treat a migraine is to avoid an attack. Migraine sufferers can help themselves by implementing a food journal. This method can help a migraineur determine which foods or smells could be a trigger, thus giving them the information they need to avoid another attack.
If a migraine attack is already in progress, the best remedy is uninterrupted sleep. Sleep helps to normalize the brain’s function and alleviates the pain associated with migraines. There are also medications that can be taken to aid in pain relief. Prescription-strength NSAIDs and over-the-counter remedies (such as Tylenol or Advil) are also an effective way to experience relief from the pain migraines cause.
As you can see, migraines cause severe pain and suffering to those who are plagued by them. Because of their debilitating nature, knowing how to avoid one is just as important as understanding the pain relief options available to you. Understanding migraines and your risk factors can help you determine if your next headache is just bothersome or an actual migraine. If in doubt, be sure to visit your doctor.