Migraine Headache – When a Headache is Not Just a Headache
If you have ever suffered from a migraine headache, you know that there is a lot more to it than just a throbbing head. Nausea, light sensitivity and sound sensitivity are just a few of the unpleasant symptoms that you may have suffered. The average migraine can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours as well, so the suffering seems to go on and on and on. Scientists have found that somewhere between 12 and 28% of all people will experience a migraine headache at least once in their lives. More women suffer from migraines than men, with nearly 75% of all adult patients being female. For many migraine headache sufferers, the pain may be preceded by what is known as an "aura.”Approximately one third of all people that suffer from migraines report having an unusual visual, olfactory or other sensory experience immediately before the onset of the migraine. For some migraine sufferers, this offers an opportunity to begin treatment which may prevent a full blown migraine. Other migraine sufferers may go through what is known as a "prodome" phase, where they suffer from an altered mood, changes in sleep patterns, muscle stiffness and other visceral symptoms. These changes often occur several days before the attack and can help the migraine sufferer to prepare and take preventative measures to avoid the migraine ever coming to fruition. There are some ways of preventing migraine headaches. Many migraine sufferers have specific triggers that will bring on the migraine. These may include exposure to or withdrawal from some substances such as caffeine, alcohol, MSG or nitrates, allergic reactions, premenstrual symptoms or skipping meals. If a migraine sufferer has known triggers, avoiding these can prevent a migraine headache from occurring. If a migraine headache cannot be avoided, then there are some treatments that can be given to help lessen the severity and duration of the symptoms. These may include anti-medics, to deal with the nausea that is often associated with migraine and analgesics to soothe the pain. For some, it may be necessary to have a doctor prescribe a serotonin receptor agonist type of medication. For anyone that has ever suffered a migraine headache, your primary focus is on attempting to avoid ever having another one. There are some herbal and nutritional supplements that have shown promise in reducing migraine occurrence and symptoms, though not every treatment regimen works for every patient, so you may need to experiment with a few, under the guidance of a physician. Though finding the right combination may be a pain, it is nowhere near the pain of the actual migraine itself!
|
