allaboutmigraine.com

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When we think of Migraine we often think it is just a very painful headache. The reality is that the attack usually has several symptoms and can be broken down into four phases. We might experience some during one attack or we don’t experience during the next. Not everyone experiences all the phases at one point.
The four phases of a potential Migraine attack in which they occur in order are Prodome which is sometimes called preheadeache; Aura the most talked about symptom; Headache the most debilitating and postdrome.
If we pay closer attention to our bodies we will distinguish the changes and determine if we are having another migraine attack.

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For some, migraines are infrequent. On the other side of the spectrum are people who have frequent recurrences and whose lives can be debilitated by pain. Fortunately, progress is being made in migraine management. Although an individualized treatment approach is often necessary, most people can be helped.

Migraine headaches are severe, usually one- sided headaches that often occur with nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light or sound. People often describe migraine headaches as throbbing or piercing. The pain may range from mild to terribly severe.

Although migraine headaches are usually one- sided, there may be pain on both sides of the head. In some people, the pain may switch sides each time they have a migraine.

Migraine headaches sometimes occur with an aura, a group of symptoms that usually develop 5 to 30 minutes before a migraine begins. Visual disturbances, such as flashing lights, distortion, in the size or shape of objects, or blind or dark spots in your field of vision are the most common symptoms of an aura.

There are many people in every corner of the world who suffers from migraine. Upon researching and browsing sites about migraine, I came across with a forum wherein they share different experiences of breakthrough about their migraine-free day. They have this countdown or tracker wherein the last day they experienced migraine is indicated. There is one woman there that she is experiencing 10 days without migraine. For her, this is a great gift for her. I admire her positive and appreciative attitude. She is right, you need to give thanks with your every single day, hour, or second, that you feel comfortable and happy. Enjoy life!

There are many factors that trigger migraine. These are the food you eat, beverages you drink, time of sleep, and condition of your environment. Take note of the following points:

Food - chocolates, nuts, cheese, Chinese food, shellfish, and other kind of sweets
Beverage – coffee, alcohol, and other caffeinated drinks
Activities – staying up late, lack of sleep, crowded environment, too much heat, and skipping meals

Discipline can be your key to avoid suffering from migraine. If you cannot cure it, avoid it! It can be easy for you to overcome and manage this illness if you are a good follower and master of your health.

In a study published in the April 22, 2008, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, people with migraine are more likely to experience exacerbated skin sensitivity or pain after non-painful daily activities such as rubbing one’s head, combing one’s hair and wearing necklaces or earrings, compared to other people with other types of headache. There were 16,573 people with headache who were surveyed about their type of headache, frequency, quality of life, depression and other illnesses that cause pain. The survey showed that there were 11,737 participants with migraine, 1,491 with probable migraine (those people who have all but one of the symptoms required for migraine diagnosis) and 3,345 with another kind of headache. The study discovered that 68% of those who suffered from almost daily headaches or chronic migraine and 63% of those with episodic migraines reported allodynia, an intense and unpleasant, painful skin sensitivity. Also, 42% of people with probable migraine reported the skin pain compared to 37% of those with daily or tension headache.

Silent migraine is a kind of migraine attack that does not include a headache. Silent migraine is also called acephalgic migraine, sans-migraine, migraine equivalent, eye migraine, visual migraine, ocular migraine, painless migraine or simply migraine aura without headache. Today it is popularly called migraine aura without headache. Migraine aura without headache often occurs later in life and is more common in men than in women. Migraine aura is usually used to refer to visual symptoms (though it is also used to describe many of the other symptoms that go along with migraine). These might comprise of seeing zig zags or flashing lights, or having dizziness or vertigo. It is also reported that only about 15% of migraineurs deal with aura.

The best advice one can give (in terms of diet) to people who are suffering from headache migraine is simply to eat a well balanced diet with lots of fresh, non-processed foods. This type of diet should include a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables. However, there are a few specific foods that may be introduced into a migraineur’s diet which are claimed by many to have helped lessen the pain. These are peppermint, cayenne pepper, ginger, fish and fish oil, foods rich in calcium like spinach, broccoli and kale, foods rich in magnesium like spinach, oatmeal, wheat, and garlic.

There are some foods which are reported to be common diet headache migraine foods and, therefore, must be avoided or eaten in moderation. Cheese (except cottage, farmer’s, ricotta and cream), alcohol (most esp. red wine), caffeine, chocolate, aged and non-fresh meats and liver, products with meat and hydrolyzed protein like gravy and soup mixes, soy beans, italian green beans, broad bean pods, MSG, nuts (especially peanuts), yeast (especially in homemade bread and sourdough), sauerkraut and other aged foods. Also, a big problem for migraine sufferers is food with tyramine. Foods that should be eaten with caution include salad dressing, rennet tablets, dried fruits (including raisins), imitation crab, licorice, mushrooms, snails, salty foods, rhubarb, citrus fruits, ripe avocado, ripe banana, yogurt and buttermilk, fresh raspberries, red plums, onions, worcestershire or teriyaki sauce and, for some, wheat.

Comorbid conditions are said to be conditions that occur at the same time, but independently of each other. Reportedly, the most common comorbid condition with migraine is major depressive disorder or clinical depression. About 47% of migraineurs claimed to experience major depressive disorder, however, doctors state that neither causes the other. Comorbid conditions can have major effects on the treatment of the individual disorders. Now, thyroid diseases (including hypothyroidism) are among the conditions known to be usually comorbid with headaches and migraines. Also, a strong connection has been discovered between hypothyroidism and new daily persistent headache (NDPH) and chronic migraine.

Like adults, children also experience headaches due to stress and trauma. As a matter of fact, migraine headaches typically start during childhood or adolescence. Studies tell us that the frequency of headaches increases in children as they enter adolescence and go through the stresses of puberty. Kids who are suffering from migraine may show symptoms such as frequent nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, some children experience abdominal migraine (periodic vomiting with no headache). Research claims that, normally, these children will develop headaches as they grow older. There are several ways to treat migraines in children, however, take note that these neurological syndromes can be signs of depression, most especially if symptoms include mood swings or change in sleeping habits. That is why aside from the regular medication and treatment for migraines, parents should also consider counseling and therapy for their kids.