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Migraines are severe headaches that can cause intense throbbing or pulsing sensations, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. They can be debilitating, often forcing individuals to retreat to a dark, quiet room until the symptoms subside. Adult women experience them three times more frequently than adult males.
Prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome are some of the different phases that make up the complicated temporal trajectory of a migraine. Nonetheless, each person’s migraine experience might differ greatly in length. It is important to note that migraines are treatable.
What are the symptoms of migraine?
There are different phases of migraines with their symptoms.
| Phases | Symptoms |
| Prodrome occurs hours to days before a migraine attack. |
|
| Aura typically develops gradually over a minimum of 5 minutes and can persist for up to 60 minutes. |
|
| Headache can last for up to 72 hours or more if left untreated. Usually, it begins gradually and progresses into pulsing and throbbing on one or both sides of the head. |
|
| Postdrome causes individuals to experience symptoms lasting up to a day. |
|
What causes migraine attacks?
Although the exact cause of migraines is unclear, neurological, environmental, and hereditary factors are believed to play a role. To effectively manage migraines, it is essential to comprehend and identify their triggers.
Several migraine triggers include:
- Hormonal changes
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Stress and anxiety
- Sensory stimuli such as bright or flashing lights
- Loud sounds or strong smells
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Physical strain
- Weather changes
- Medications
- Certain foods and additives
- Skipped meals
How to treat a migraine fast?
While there is no cure for migraines, you can manage its symptoms using the following:
- Medications
- Acute treatment for migraines involves medications taken at the onset of an attack to alleviate pain and symptoms immediately.
- Preventive treatment involves medications taken regularly, typically daily, to reduce the frequency and severity of future migraine episodes.
- Medications to stop migraines: Such as aspirin, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), triptans, ergots, and antiemetics.
- Medications to prevent migraines: Such as antiseizure medications, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and calcium channel blockers.
- Avoidance of migraine triggers
How to treat a migraine without medicine?
Recognising your migraines and learning effective management strategies is the initial step towards reducing and avoiding migraine episodes. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of these methods can vary from individual to individual, and what proves successful for one person may yield different results for another.
Maintaining a nutritious diet may help with migraine treatment. While eating healthy might not completely eradicate migraines, they might lessen their frequency and intensity. Here are some dietary considerations that may be helpful:
- Remain hydrated.
- Consider whole grains because they are high in vitamins and fibre.
- Consume more fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid trans and saturated fats.
- Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts.
- Avoid food that contains monosodium glutamate (MSG) as it may trigger migraine attacks.
- Limit caffeine intake as excessive amounts result in caffeine withdrawal headaches.
- Keep a food diary to track food and drink triggers.
- Avoid artificial sweeteners, chocolate, aged cheeses, red wine, and processed meat.
Avoid getting too little or too much sleep. Overcome this issue by establishing and adhering to a regular sleep and wake routine. Every night, try to get 7 or 8 hours of sleep. Additionally, find a quiet, dark place to rest and de-stress.
Migraines may be effectively prevented by taking breaks and allowing time to relax. Taking a break can help reduce migraine symptoms and stop them from getting worse if you have an impending migraine or are already experiencing one.
Choose aerobic exercise, like cycling, swimming, or walking. Remember that intense activity could cause migraines, so start slowly.
Migraine and stress coexist. Avoid overworking yourself, maintain a positive attitude, take regular breaks, engage in fun activities, and unwind.
Individuals keep and document information on their headaches and associated variables using a migraine diary. This can help the individual and their doctor see patterns, pinpoint causes, and create a tailored treatment strategy.
Make an appointment at Pantai Hospitals
A migraine is not the same as a typical headache. Treatment options are available to manage migraines and improve your quality of life. Take the first step and consult a neurologist to explore treatment options tailored to your needs.
A dedicated and expert team of neurologists at Pantai Hospital is available for consultation to provide the best care and assistance. Get in touch with us to book an appointment today if you have any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Pantai Hospitals have been accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) for its commitment to patient safety and service quality.
