Migraine Pain

2007-04-17 10:41:55

( Pharmeceutical-Medical )



A migraine is a benign, recurrent type of headache, experienced by about a fifth of individuals, more commonly seen in women. If you have a migraine, it is likely that you have other family members with the condition. As you get older, the frequency and the severity of your migraine attacks typically decrease. A migraine can last from a few hours to about a couple of days, and may occur anywhere from once a year to everyday. There is also a type of migraine that does not go away on its own, called status migrainosus.

There have been a number of theories regarding the cause of migraine headaches, such as the expansion of blood vessels and the release of the chemicals dopamine and serotonin; however, the specific cause of migraine pain remains unknown.

Your migraine attacks may be triggered by any of the following:
• Particular food, including chocolate, cheese, and alcohol
• Missing a meal
• Menstruation and birth control pills
• Smoking
• Stress

Five migraine phases have been identified:
• Prodrome: This refers to symptoms that warn you that you are about to experience a migraine. These may include changes in your mood or sensations, fatigue, and muscle aches.
• Aura: This usually refers to a visual disturbance, such as seeing blind spots, geometric patterns, or losing vision on one side, that occurs right before your headache comes. A migraine may occur with (classical migraine) or without (common migraine) an aura.
• Headache: Your headache may occur on one side or on both sides of your head, typically described as throbbing. It may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and photophobia (sensitivity to light).
• Termination: This refers to resolution of your headache.
• Postdrome: This refers to symptoms associated with your migraine that remain after the migraine pain has been relieved.

Your migraine symptoms may differ from another person's, and may change from one migraine to another.

A migraine is diagnosed based on what you tell your physician, as there are no known tests to diagnose it. You may, however, undergo a neurological examination to rule out other causes of headaches.

To prevent a migraine attack, you must avoid the triggers that induce it. Yoga, hypnosis and biofeedback may also help in decreasing the attacks.

If you are already experiencing a migraine, you can relieve the migraine pain by applying a cold compress to your head and sleeping. Pain relievers and massage may also be helpful for you. There are also medications that may prevent a migraine from occurring, may stop it while it is still in the prodrome phase, or may lessen the frequency of your migraine. However, not all patients with migraine respond to these drugs. You should consult your physician regarding these medications.


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