Migraine Headache - A Common Type of Headache

Headache is a common ailment experienced by many people all over the world. There are many different types of headache and one such common form known to people is Migraine headache. The term migraine is a Greek word used to describe one part of the head as migraine headache is commonly seen to occur only on one side of the head although it can alternate between the two sides.

Causes of Migraine Headache

Migraine occurs due to engorgement of the artery supplying the temple region of the head. With the engorgement, there is more blood flow occurring in this areas in addition to release of certain chemicals by nerves in this area that further enhances inflammation and causes pain and more engorgement of the temporal artery that supplies blood to the temple region of the head.

Symptoms of Migraine Headache

The characteristic symptom of migraine is the headache occurring on one side of the head usually in the temple region. The sides may alternate in recurrent attacks but generally does not occur on both the sides at once. The pain is described as an intense, throbbing kind of pain. If the pain remains only on one side every time, a secondary type of headache is usually suspected. Migraine attacks might be associated with some trigger factors that can initiate the headache and the other symptoms.

Migraine attacks usually follow some early symptoms like irritability, drowsiness, exhaustion, depression, hunger, etc. Apart from the headache, migraine attacks show other symptoms like cold extremities, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to auditory or visual stimuli, etc.

Auras are also associated symptoms seen with migraine. The aura might occur before the migraine attack or along with it. Patients see visual phenomenon like bright flashes or blind spots in the vision. Even though aura is common with migraine, not all sufferers have aura. The aura might also be associated with hearing or with the sensation of smell.

Prevention of Migraine Attacks

Although migraine attacks are quite frequent it is definitely possible for a sufferer to reduce the number of attacks by following some lifestyle changes like having a regular sleep schedule, exercise regimen, diet and time regulations, avoiding stress, avoiding trigger factors by learning to identify the triggers that initiate attacks and to avoid habits like smoking, alcohol and reducing caffeine intake, etc. By following a good routine and incorporating lifestyle changes, one can definitely reduce the number of attacks of migraine.

Treatment of Migraine Headache

Usually over-the-counter painkillers are not effective in reducing the pain with migraine. There are two modalities of treating migraine headaches, one before the attack and the other during the attack. Some drugs do not work effectively during the attack but does wonders if taken before the attack. Some examples for this include ergotamines, midrin, etc. Drugs belonging to triptan like sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, rizatriptan are useful if taken early in the attack. In a full blown attack, NSAIDs like Ibuprofen and Indomethacin or narcotic analgesics like meperedine or codeine will help in providing relief from pain.

As there is increased sensitivity to light and auditory stimuli, sufferers usually prefer to sleep with the lights out in a silent room. Other alternative methods like massaging, hypnosis and meditation do not have significant results in reducing the incidence of migraine.

Migraine headache is a very common type of headache and more than 10% of the population suffers from migraine attacks. While a total cure for the problem has not been found, people suffering from the condition can reduce the number of attacks by following some important lifestyle changes and knowing the trigger factors that cause the problem and learn to avoid them.