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Who
gets migraine?
Migraine affects
over 28 million people in the U.S., and is most often seen in
adults between the ages of 25 and 55. Women are nearly 3 times
more likely to suffer from migraine than men.
Is
migraine hereditary?
Many experts
believe migraine can be hereditary. Studies show that individuals
with a family history of migraine are more likely to suffer from
the disease.
How
often do migraine attacks occur?
Migraine is not a
daily headache and can occur at any time. Most migraine sufferers
have at least 1 attack a month.
How
long does a migraine last?
If left untreated,
migraines in adults can last from 4 hours to 3 days.
Types
of migraine?
There are several
types of migraine. The most common are:
-
Migraine
without aura - This is the most common type of migraine and
includes throbbing headache pain, usually combined with
sensitivity to light and sound.
-
Migraine with
aura - This type of migraine is immediately preceded by aura.
Up to 3 out of every 10 people who suffer from migraine
experience aura before an attack. Aura develops gradually
preceding an attack and generally lasts less than an hour. It
usually involves visual changes, such as seeing bright lights,
jagged lines, or experiencing blind spots.
What
are the symptoms of migraine?
Symptoms can vary
from person to person and from 1 attack to another, even in the
same person. Some of the most common symptoms are:
-
Throbbing pain,
usually on one side of your head. It is moderate to severe in
intensity, gets worse with activity, and can keep you from
your daily routine
-
Sensitivity to
light
-
Sensitivity to
sound
-
Nausea
What
causes migraine?
While the exact
cause of migraine is not known, most experts agree that migraine
pain is caused by swollen blood vessels around the brain and
certain nerves in the brain.
However, certain
"triggers" may bring on an attack. The most common are:
-
Fatigue - from
too much physical activity, lack of sleep, or too much sleep
-
Stress -
periods during or after stressful situations
-
Some foods and
beverages - particularly foods containing nitrites or
monosodium glutamate (MSG); foods and beverages containing
aspartame, an artificial sweetener; chocolate; aged cheeses;
and alcoholic drinks
-
Caffeine
withdrawal - caused by dramatically cutting back or stopping
your caffeine intake altogether. Common foods containing
caffeine are coffee, tea, and some soft drinks.
-
Menstruation -
relating to changes in hormone levels at the time of a woman's
period
-
Weather changes
How
does migraine differ from other types of headaches?
In general,
headaches are divided into 2 groups: primary and secondary.
-
Primary
headaches are the most common type of headaches, resulting
from temporary or recurring changes in your brain's chemical,
physical, or electrical makeup. Primary headaches include the
following:
-
Migraine
Headache - An intense, throbbing pain that is often
accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Most migraine sufferers get at least 1 attack a month.
Migraine headaches can happen at any time and, if left
untreated, can last from 4 hours to 3 days.
-
Tension
Headache - Characterized by a feeling of pressure and
tightening, plus mild to moderate pain on both sides of the
head. It usually occurs several times per month and can last
from several minutes to several days.
-
Cluster
Headache - Occurs in "clusters" over a period of a
few weeks to several months, and involves severe pain around
or behind one eye. It can last from a few minutes to over 2
hours and occur up to 8 times a day. Other symptoms may
include tears, a stuffy or runny nose, flushing, and
swelling of the eyelid on the same side as the pain.
-
Secondary
headaches are the result of a physical disease or disorder,
such as a brain tumor, head injury, sinus infection, or
internal bleeding. If your doctor suspects that you have any
of the symptoms of secondary headaches, he or she can do
special tests, such as a CAT Scan or MRI to determine your
condition, so you can be treated immediately.
Is
there a way to tell when a migraine attack is about to occur?
Most migraines come
on without warning. However, some migraines are preceded by early
warning signals called prodrome and aura. Some migraine sufferers
may experience one or both of these.
-
Numbness or
tingling of the lips, face, or hands on 1 or both sides
-
Weakness in
the arms or legs, usually on 1 side of the body
What
else can you do to manage your migraine?
You and your doctor
are partners in managing your migraines. In addition to exploring
effective drug treatments, there are many things you can do on
your own and with your doctor's guidance to help manage your
migraine.
-
Know your
triggers. Once you know what triggers your migraine, you can
learn to manage your symptoms and be better prepared for
your next migraine. To help identify your triggers, keep a
record and write down what you were eating, drinking, and
doing, as well as what was happening before your migraine.
The most common triggers are:
-
Fatigue -
from too much physical activity, lack of sleep, or too much
sleep
-
Stress -
periods during or after stressful situations
-
Some foods
and beverages - particularly foods containing nitrites or
monosodium glutamate (MSG); foods and beverages containing
aspartame, an artificial sweetener; chocolate; aged cheeses;
and alcoholic drinks
-
Caffeine
withdrawal - caused by dramatically cutting back or stopping
your caffeine intake altogether. Common foods containing
caffeine are coffee, tea, and some soft drinks.
-
Menstruation
- relating to changes in hormone levels at the time of a
woman's period
-
Weather
changes
-
Follow a
regular sleep routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at the
same time every day. Keeping to any routine may help reduce
migraine, but your sleep routine is especially important.
-
Eat meals on
a regular basis. Dieting or not eating can also bring on an
attack. Having your meals at regular times each day may
lessen the chance of migraine.
-
Avoid foods
and beverages that may trigger a migraine attack. Like many
migraine sufferers, you may be sensitive to certain
substances found in foods and food additives that may be
migraine triggers. Your doctor can help you identify and
avoid foods that may be migraine triggers.
-
The most
common triggers are foods containing nitrites or monosodium
glutamate (MSG); foods and beverages containing aspartame,
an artificial sweetener; chocolate; aged cheeses; and
alcoholic drinks.
-
Migraines may
also be triggered by caffeine withdrawal brought on by
dramatically cutting back or stopping your caffeine intake
altogether. Common foods containing caffeine are coffee,
tea, and some soft drinks.
-
Exercise
often. Regular exercise can not only keep you fit, but can
also reduce stress. Ask your doctor to suggest an exercise
plan that's right for you.
-
Progressive
relaxation Stress can set off a migraine headache and often
shows up in your body as a stiff neck, clenched jaw, tight
shoulders, or tense brow. Using progressive relaxation, you
focus on relaxing the muscles in each part of your body in a
step-by-step manner. By becoming more aware of the
difference between tense and relaxed muscles, you can learn
to relax your muscles and control your body's reaction to
stress.
-
Deep
breathing exercise Tense muscles are often a sign of stress,
which can trigger your migraine. By following certain
breathing techniques, you can increase the amount of oxygen
in your bloodstream and muscles, helping them to loosen and
relax:
-
Sit down in
a quiet place, close your eyes, and inhale slowly and
deeply through your nose to the count of 10.
-
Allow your
stomach and abdomen to expand, but try not to let your
chest raise up.
-
Then exhale
through the nose, also to the count of 10. Focus on your
breathing and your counting.
-
Clear your
mind of other thoughts.
-
Repeat 5 to
10 times.
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