Know the signs of a migraine for early detection

Individual migraines range from mild to severe in intensity, and they frequently feel like they are pounding or throbbing. They can happen anywhere on the head, neck, and face, or all over, despite the fact that they are frequently one-sided.

At their worst, they are frequently characterized by sensitivity to sound, light, and/or odors. One of the most typical migraine symptoms is nausea, which gets worse with activity and frequently leaves patients disabled.

Migraines resemble hangovers brought on by drinking alcohol in many ways.

Pain from migraines can also be felt in the neck, where it may be mistaken for arthritis or a muscle spasm, or in the face, where it may be mistaken for a sinus headache. The fact that the headaches may be accompanied by additional “sinus-like” symptoms, such as watering eyes, nasal congestion, and a feeling of facial pressure, makes it more difficult to diagnose migraine. The majority of patients mistake sinus headaches for migraines.

Up to 25% of patients may experience an aura before they experience migraine headache pain. An aura is a brief neurological syndrome that develops gradually and usually goes away right when the pain starts.

While visual disturbances (flashing lights, zigzags, blind spots) are the most typical migraine aura symptom, many sufferers also experience numbness, confusion, difficulty speaking, vertigo (spinning dizziness), and other neurological symptoms resembling strokes. Auras may occur in some patients but not headaches.

How common is a migraine?

Although they can begin as early as elementary school, migraines most frequently strike in the first few years of adulthood. Although they frequently disappear later in life, they can happen at any time.

Migraines are the most typical underlying cause of chronic, daily, disabling headache pain and the most frequent source of recurrent, incapacitating headache pain. Although migraines are the most common reason patients visit a neurologist, primary care doctors handle the majority of cases.

What causes migraines?

The following factors can increase the likelihood that headaches will develop:

• Alcohol
• Hunger
• Certain foods
• Weather changes
• Lack of sleep
• Schedule changes
• Dehydration
• Strong smells
• Teeth grinding at night
• Menstruation

How are headaches identified?

Despite their severe symptoms, migraines almost never have an underlying cause that can be detected through testing, including brain MRIs. Even in severe cases, many experts do not advise brain imaging if the patient’s symptoms are migraine-typical and a thorough neurological examination comes back normal.

A single genetic mutation in one of the four known genes that can cause the condition known as familial hemiplegic migraine can cause migraines in some incredibly rare families. For the vast majority of patients, there are no available genetic tests. Because the condition cannot be identified through a scan or blood test, a skilled doctor must make the diagnosis.

How are migraines treated?

The best way to treat migraines is to prevent them from happening in the first place. This usually involves a combination of dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, vitamin supplements, and daily prescription medications.

Conclusion

Get in touch with a doctor from Bajaj Finserv Health App if you face the above-mentioned migraine symptoms.