Symptoms of Migraine
Ways of Relieving Yourself of the Pains of Migraine
Since migraine is a very severe headache, perhaps you are probably going nuts trying to find ways to prevent having to suffer the same pain again after going through its torment once.
Not to worry, we will help you find ways to prevent such a torture from ever happening to you again.
Migraine is a headache originally thought to be caused by the hormone serotonin. It's presence in the blood causes a constriction in the blood vessels, and then reactive dilation. The sudden expansion closely following a constriction causes extreme pain. In the more modern theory involving visual aura, migraine is thought to be caused by fluctuating blood flow in the brain and by blood vessel dilation and inflammation.
There are two types of migraine: the common and the classic migraines. The classic migraine is the type in which the person suffering experience seeing an aura, which may be in the form of flashing lights, colors or light zig-zags. Other auras are felt, which are described as a burning feeling and a weakening of muscles. The other form of migraine, the common migraine, does not involve feeling an aura aside from the headache. The headache itself is described as pain beginning from one side of the head, which worsens if a person is exposed to bright light or noise.
Migraine symptoms also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, stiff or tender neck, and cold sweat. In some cases, a person may feel coldness in the hands and/or feet, as well as tenderness in the scalp. Restlessness may also be felt.
Treating MigraineMigraine treatment is divided into two types: the preventive or prophylactic treatment, and the abortive treatment. The first type is aimed towards preventing migraine attacks, while the latter is designed to relieve a person’s pain during the onset of a migraine episode. Both involve drugs, although both treatments also include non-medicated treatments.
Preventive drugs are usually prescribed by a physician. They are designed to be taken regularly or every day, without pause. These drugs include beta blockers like Inderal, Corgard, Tenormin and Lopressor, among others. These beta blockers are designed to indirectly prevent dilation of the blood vessels as well as reduce the transmission of overstimulating cerebral impulses. Tricyclic antidepressants may also be prescribed, as well as calcium channel blockers. Other preventive therapies include stress management techniques, and exercise. A person may also be advised to limit or eliminate consumption of triggers like chocolate or red wine.
Abortive therapy may include drugs such as analgesics like aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. In some cases, serotonin receptor agonists – drugs like almotripan, frovatriptan, naratriptan and rizatriptan – may be prescribed but not in all cases. Sometimes, sleep may prove to be an effective therapy for it may reduce the severity of the headache. Some people may also find massage or acupuncture to be effective in relieving the pain that they feel.
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