Migraine causes

The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but they are thought to be related to abnormal brain activity affecting nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain. Migraines have a strong genetic component, meaning they can run in families.

Migraines can begin at any age, though the first often occurs during adolescence. Migraines tend to peak during your 30s, and gradually become less severe and less frequent in the following decades.

Women are three times more likely than men to have migraines. For women who have migraines, headaches might begin just before or shortly after onset of menstruation. They might also change during pregnancy or menopause. Migraines generally improve after menopause.

What are the types of Migraine?

Migraine Aura without a headache: when you may experience other symptoms of a migraine attack, such as nausea or sensitivity to light and sound, but without a headache.

Menstrual Migraine: occurs around the time of menstruation. It could either occur as a part of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) or during their period.

Vestibular Migraine: is a type of aura characterised by dizziness, vertigo and balance disturbance.

Status Migrainosus: this term describes migraine that may last longer than 72 hours. Also known as status migraine. Symptoms of nausea and light sensitivity may resolve after a couple of days but the headache persists.

Abdominal Migraine: is a disorder most common in young children, resulting in periodic abdominal pain. Some children also experience nausea and vomiting. Over two thirds of children with abdominal migraine also experience headache.

What are Migraine triggers?

Certain factors can trigger migraine attacks, including stress, lack of sleep, certain foods and drinks (like alcohol and aged cheese), food additives, medications, hormonal changes, physical strain, and environmental factors (like changes in weather or bright lights).

Migraine diagnosis.

Your doctor might refer you to see a specialist trained in treating headaches, known as a neurologist, who will likely diagnose migraines based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical and neurological examination.

If your condition is unusual, complex or suddenly becomes severe, tests to rule out other causes for your pain might include:

MRI scans help diagnose tumors, strokes, bleeding in the brain, infections, and other brain and nervous system, known as neurological, conditions.

CT scan helps diagnose tumors, infections, brain damage, bleeding in the brain and other possible medical problems that may be causing headaches.

What are the phases and symptoms of Migraine?

1. Prodromal Phase: One or two days before a migraine, you might notice subtle changes that warn of an upcoming migraine, including:

• Constipation
• Mood changes, from depression to euphoria
• Food cravings
• Neck stiffness
• Increased urination
• Fluid retention
• Frequent yawning

2. Aura Phase: For some people, a migraine may be preceded by an aura, a temporary neurological disturbance. Each symptom usually begins gradually, builds up over several minutes and can last up to 60 minutes. Auras are reversible symptoms of the nervous system that can include:

• Seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light
• Vision loss
• Pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg
• Weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking

3. Attack Phase: A migraine usually lasts from 4 to 72 hours if untreated. How often migraines occur varies from person to person. Migraines might occur rarely or strike several times a month. During a migraine, you might have:

• Pain usually on one side of your head, but often on both sides
• Pain that throbs or pulses
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch
• Nausea and vomiting

4. Postdrome Phase: After a migraine attack, you might feel drained, confused and washed out for up to a day. Some people report feeling elated. Sudden head movement might bring on the pain again briefly.

What symptoms require immediate medical review?

See your health care provider immediately or go to the emergency room if you have any of the following signs and symptoms, which could indicate a more serious medical problem:

• An abrupt, severe headache like a thunderclap
• Headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, numbness or weakness in any part of the body, which could be a sign of a stroke
• Headache after a head injury
• A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement
• New headache pain after age 50

Migraine management.

Your treatment choices depend on the frequency and severity of your headaches, whether you have nausea and vomiting with your headaches, how disabling your headaches are, and other medical conditions you have.

Medications: Preventive medications are taken regularly, often daily to reduce severity or frequency of attacks. Symptom relieving medications are taken during an attack to relieve symptoms such as pain relieving and anti-nausea medications.

Lifestyle changes: Identifying and avoiding triggers, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

Other treatments: Other treatments include relaxation techniques, meditation, acupuncture, physiotherapy, yoga, hydrotherapy, hypnotherapy, massage and biofeedback.