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:
- 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.
- Complicated where an aura accompanies it.
- Common migraines where the headaches strike with no warning.
- One without head pain is also known as silent migraine.
- Hemiplegia is when one experiences a headache associated with neurological changes on one side of the body.
- Ocular which is also known as retinal migraine. One experiences a partial or complete loss of vision in one eye.
- Chronic headaches occur for many days in a single month thus causing severe pain.
- Status migraine, pain, and nausea are terrible, lasting more than 72 hours.
- 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.
- Family history.
- Age.
- Sex.
- 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.
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