allaboutmigraine.com

According to www.headaches.org, there are 29.5 million Americans who experience the pain caused by migraine. And among these, the number of women who suffers from migraine dominates men. Based on the article in the mentioned site, women are more commonly affected with migraine three times than men. But why is it women are the usual victims?

Based on www.womenshealth.about.com, estrogen fluctuation among women can be the main reason why most of them suffer from migraine than men. We all know that part of women’s life is having menstruation; this is the time wherein migraine usually attacks because of the normal hormonal fluctuation experienced by them.

One of the main causes to trigger having a migraine is not eating on time. We all know that this has a great effect in our digestive system especially in our stomach. Not eating on time does not just give you an ulcer but a migraine also. If skipping meals for a day or two does not give you any harm, I tell you, you’re wrong! You can not feel the pain right now but as time goes by you might develop illnesses like migraine. And I tell you it’s not easy to overcome and manage. Beware if it attacks you!

Do you have a migraine? People with migraine usually prefer to have a good rest by sleeping to avoid feeling the painful thing caused by severe headache. It is not just a simple headache huh, it is like your head is being squeezed and torn apart! Exaggerated? I think it is not! I wonder what people with this kind of sickness do to tolerate the pain.

I asked my mom who has a migraine and she said that she keeps trying to vomit every time her migraine attacks. She puts her finger inside her mouth near her tonsils to trigger vomiting. According to her, this helps lessen the pain. I don’t know how and I don’t know why but as for her this is effective.

Acephalgic migraine is a neurological syndrome which is a variant of migraine wherein the patient may experience aura symptoms like scintillating scotoma, nausea, hemiparesis, photophobia and other migraine syndromes but does not experience headache. It is also referred to as amigrainous migraine, optical migraine or ocular migraine. Acephalgcie migraine sufferers are more likely than the general population to develop migraine with headache. Its prevention and treatment is generally the same with classical migraine. But since there is an absence of headache, its diagnosis is pertinent to be significantly delays and the risk of misdiagnosis is high. One of its possible example or form is Visual Snow.

FHM or Familial hemiplegic Migraine is a type of migraine with a possible polygenetic component which attacks may last from 4 to 72 hours and is apparently caused by ion channel mutations. Migraine sufferers who experience this kind of syndrome have moderately typical migraine headaches preceded or accompanied by reversible limb weakness on one side and also visual, sensory or speech difficulties. It is often difficult though to make a diagnosis between basilar-type migraine and hemiplegic migraine. Basilar-type migraine though can present with tingling or numbness while true motor weakness and paralysis occur only in hemiplegic migraine, which makes that as their differential diagnosis.

Scientific studies have not consistently demonstrated an association between chocolate consumption and headaches although it has been reported to trigger migraine. Red wine has shown to be a migraine stimulator to some migraine sufferers but white wine is not sure to cause it. Tyramine, a chemical found in cheese, beer, wine, dry sausage and sauerkraut can sudden migraine headaches but there is no further evidence that having a low-tyramine diet can reduce its frequency. MSG has been reported as well to cause migraines when consumed in high doses on an empty stomach. Nitrites which are chemicals found in hotdogs and hams as well as Aspartame, a sugar-sub found in diet drinks have been reported to cause migraine as well.

Beta blockers are common class of prescription drugs that neutralize the stimulatory effects of Adrenaline or epinephrine on beta receptors. These receptors are found in many tissues of the body like the nervous system and heart for example. When this beta receptors are stimulated, the heart beats faster and harder and the blood vessels constrict that results in an elevation of blood pressure. Beta blockers act by suppressing the stimulatory impulses that leads to a slowing of the pulse rate and reduction of blood pressure. Through the reduced workload of the heart, beta blockers can relieve symptoms of angina pectoris. Beta blockers have also been used in the treatment of migraine, as long as it is in a continuous or daily basis.

NSAIDs like Naproxen sodium (Aleve) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) have been effectively used to abort menstrual migraines. NSAIDs may be used 24 hours before the expected onset of menstrual migraine and be continued for the entire duration of the headache. One of the benefits of NSAIDs is relieving menstrual cramps as well since it has prostaglandins. Triptans have been found to be very effective in getting rid of menstrual migraines as well and controlling the associated nausea and vomiting. Dihydroergotamine or DHE can be used as a nasal spray or intramuscularly given or intravenously to terminate menstrual migraines. If the said medications are ineffective, doctors may try prescribing you daily preventive medications like beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and the likes.

How to treat menstrual migraines:

•you should take medications after the onset of menstrual migraine if you want to abort the pain
•in preventing menstrual migraine, you have to take medications before the onset of menstruation and should continue for the duration of the expected headache. Hormonal pills like estrogens or estrogen related medication helps in preventing migraines as well
•to reduce the frequency or duration of menstrual migraine, you should take prophylactic medication such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants that should be typically used on continuous basis to help prevent menstrual migraines

Doctors who treat migraines should give and prescribe preventive medications. The doctor should know your medical history because of possible side effects. The preventive medications should not have a vast side effect on the patient and it should complement other medicines the patient is also taking and his/her medical conditions. Propranolol (Inderal) is often used first but this should not be prescribed to patients with asthma, COPD or heart diseases. Amitriptyline (Elavil) is also one of the common migraine medications. These medications should be taken first at low doses and would increase in higher doses gradually, if needed. And also, it should be gradually taken for months or years in a daily basis.