Headaches - Migraines


Headaches - Migraines
Around 10% of people will suffer from migraine headaches in their lifetime. It is a condition that is three times more likely to affect women more than men. Sadly it is not just adults who suffer from migraine, around 5% of children will be effected by these horrific headaches, and unfortunately it is not well recognised in children as it is in adults.

What is a Migraine?

Migraines unlike tension headaches are caused from the blood vessels in the brain first constricting (constricting means that they get smaller) then dilating (dilating means that they get larger). The brain itself does not actually have pain receptors, however the outer layers of the brain do. Therefore it is the pressure of these enlarged blood vessels on the outer layer of the brain, which cause the sensation of pain. This pressure tends to cause a terrible pain, usually on one side of the head, and may be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms.


Symptoms

There is a wide range of symptoms for those who suffer migraines. Chronic migraine sufferers usually have specific symptoms, which they have become familiar with and accompany each attack they have. However the symptoms listed below do not affect everyone. Migraines can be very unique and extremely painful to each individual. There is often a warning phase which comes before the attack, some of these include feelings of:
  • Tiredness
  • Fuzzy headed
  • Yawning without tiredness
  • Craving sweet foods
  • Mood changes (such as feeling irritable and/or depressed to feeling "high")
  • Thirst

Not everyone will experience or recognise this warning phase. But for those who suffer chronic migraine, be aware that they may exist.

There is another stage that can occur before the onset of a migraine, which is often called the "aura" stage Again not everyone who suffers migraines will get this, but it is quite common. So again, if you are a sufferer of migraines, watch out for this stage, as it can prepare you for the attack. During the aura stage it is the eyes which are normally affected causing visual disturbances such as:

  • Flashing Lights
  • Blind spots
  • Dots/stars
  • Blindness in one or both eyes

These disturbances may last for up to 20 minutes and usually indicate that the migraine will commence within the hour.

Once the headache begins the sufferer may experience:

  • throbbing normally on only one side of the head, although it can affect both sides, however this is not as common
  • hrobbing pain varying in intensity as the headache progresses
  • Nausea (sometimes vomiting)
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sensitively to sounds
  • Sensitively to certain smells
  • Poor concentration and/or memory
  • Blindness
  • Paralysis on one side (seek medical attention immediately)

After the headache subsides the sufferer usually will need to rest or sleep and may feel exhausted the next day.


Treatment

This can be difficult. There are many different migraine medications and not all work for everyone. Those who suffer the occasional migraine may be fortunate to find relief from simple analgesics such as paracetamol, aspirin or anti-inflamatories (the last two are more appropriate for migraine). Taking these as early as possible is also a good idea, as once the migraine has established itself, it is often difficult in curing it. The use of alternative therapies such as acupuncture, herbs and osteopathy can also be useful.

For some people migraines can be triggered by specific factors such as:

  • Anxiety, stress, excitement
  • Dieting, skipping meals
  • Food allergies (such as chocolate, citrus foods, cheese, coffee, tea, monosodium glutamate, & nuts)
  • Menstruation
  • Too little or too much sleep
  • Prescription drugs (especially the contraception pill)
  • Alcohol (especially red wine)

If you suffer from regular migraines, it is a good idea to keep a "migraine journal" noting when an attack occurs and what you did that day, including what you ate, your mood, sleep pattern etc. This can help identify any triggers so that you can avoid it next time.

Remember migraine headaches are a very specific type of headache and must be diagnosed properly by a doctor or neurologist. There are now many treatments available that are effective. So if you have not found something that works to relieve your pain, don't despair, keep looking and you will find relief from somewhere!

- Louise Ganey (RN)

MORE