What is a Migraine, types, diagnosis and treatment?

Migraine is a headache of varying intensity that is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound, light, or movement. However, in some people, it progresses through four stages. These are:

1. Prodome- a few days before it, one may experience some changes which serve as a warning that a migraine is to occur. They include:

• Food cravings.
• Problem concentrating.
• Mood changes.
• Stiffness of the muscles and the neck.
• Constipation.
• Fatigue.

2. Aura- it’s different from one individual to the next. Aura is a reversible nervous system symptom that occurs before or during a migraine. Include:

• Vision loss.
• Needle-like sensations on the arms or the legs.
• Speech change.
• Blinding spot in vision.
• Tinnitus.
• Numbness on one side of the body.

3. Heachache- it can last for a few hours to days. One may experience:

• Pain mostly on one side of the head.
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Blurred vision.
• Pale skin.

4. Post-drome- after a migraine attack one may feel :

• Confused.
• Depressed.
• Fatigue.
• Drained.

Types of migraine.

1. Complicated where an aura accompanies it.
2. Common migraines where the headaches strike with no warning.
3. One without head pain is also known as silent migraine.
4. Hemiplegia is when one experiences a headache associated with neurological changes on one side of the body.
5. Ocular which is also known as retinal migraine. One experiences a partial or complete loss of vision in one eye.
6. Chronic headaches occur for many days in a single month thus causing severe pain.
7. Status migraine, pain, and nausea are terrible, lasting more than 72 hours.
8. Migraine with a brainstem aura. Before the onset of a headache, one may have slurred speech or loss of balance.

Triggers of migraine.

• Sensory stimuli like loud music.
• Drinks e.g. alcohol and too much caffeine.
• Stress.
• Hormonal changes especially in women when the level of estrogen fluctuates.
• Change in sleep pattern like not getting enough sleep.
• Use of food additives e.g. sweetener aspartame.
• Use of some medications.
• Physical factors like intense exercises.

Risk factors.

1. Family history.
2. Age.
3. Sex.
4. Hormonal changes.

Diagnosis.

• Family history plus one’s medical history.
• Imaging tests like MRI and CT scans.

Treatment.

• Use of pain relievers e.g. aspirin to lessen the pain.
• Preventive drugs.