Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from a migraine headache? If so, then you understand just how debilitating a migraine can be. Sadly, these intense headaches aren’t easy to ignore because of their many unique symptoms- throbbing pain on one side of your head, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, stomach upset, and more.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what happens behind the scenes that cause migraine headaches- from biology and physiology to lifestyle behaviors that may play a role in triggering them. Whether you have been diagnosed with migraines already or think you might have experienced some episodes in your life, it’s important for us to help give context as to how they happen.
Introducing Migraine Headache – What it is?
A migraine headache is an intense throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation in one area of the head. A migraine is more than a headache, it is actually a neurological disorder. This type of headache brings with it severe nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
In the UK alone, migraine headaches affect more than 10 million people and estimates suggest that over 190,000 people in the UK have a migraine attack every day, making this a very common medical problem. So why does this painful condition happen in the first place?
Key signs of a migraine headache
Following are the main warning signals of migraine headaches you should not ignore.
- Intense pain in one side of the head
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Visual disturbances
- Tingling and numbness
- Difficulty in speaking
- Irritability
- A temporary loss of vision
What causes a migraine headache? The science behind
Migraine headaches have been perplexing medical professionals for decades due to their wide range of symptoms. Triggers for migraines are often hard to identify, but there are a few known triggers that may cause future episodes
- Stressful situations
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Eating irregular meals
- Dehydration
- Caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
- Not getting enough sleep
- Anxiety
- Medications
- Weather changes
- Certain lights, noises, and smells
If you suffer from regular headaches, it’s always best to speak with a medical professional who can examine you and provide advice tailored specifically to your situation. In the meantime, some simple lifestyle changes such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, and reducing stress could help reduce the intensity of migraines. Taking small steps towards a healthier lifestyle could help you lead a more headache-free life!
MRI scan for diagnosing a migraine headache
Migraine is a type of primary headache (ie the headache is not a sign of an underlying disease). MRI is an invaluable tool in medical diagnosis as it can help to rule out a cause for secondary headache (ie headache caused by an underlying disease such as a brain tumour or aneurysm) . Knowing that there are no other causes for headache will enable your doctor to prescribe the right medication or treatment for you, making it easy to manage chronic conditions like migraine headaches. So if you are experiencing frequent and debilitating migraine headaches, seek medical advice and ask your doctor about an MRI. You’ll get an accurate diagnosis and find relief from your symptoms quickly.
Treatment options for migraine headaches
If you are looking for permanent relief from this debilitating headache, you must be comforted to know about the variety of treatment options available for it. Ranging from home remedies to over-the-counter treatment options and prescription medicines, you may go for whatever suits you best.
However, it would be best to seek your doctor’s recommendation for diagnosis of the headache type and for a piece of professional medical advice. Your doctor may prescribe you a treatment plan based on the severity and frequency of your headache. Treatment options may include :
- Noninvasive strategies like smoking cessation or stress reduction
- Medications such as muscle relaxants or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to provide headache relief.
- Acupuncture
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation
When to seek medical help for your migraine headache?
A migraine headache can range from annoying to debilitating, so it can be difficult to know when you should seek medical help. If you experience migraine headaches that are affecting your daily life, or if they become more frequent and intense than usual, then it’s time to talk to your doctor.
Seeking medical advice early is the best way to get a handle on a migraine headache before it starts having an even bigger impact on your life. Your doctor can help you create a migraine management plan tailored to your particular situation and offer insight into lifestyle changes that can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes. Don’t wait until migraine headaches cause serious disruptions in your life – take control now and get the medical advice you need to find relief from migraine pain.
Take away
Don’t let migraine headaches keep you from living your best life. Taking control of your migraine pain starts with understanding your condition and getting a diagnosis for it. An MRI scan is particularly designed to provide a detailed picture of brain structure rule out an alternative cause for headache. So don’t suffer in silence and book an MRI today to put you on the path to a correct diagnosis, and get the medical advice you need to manage your condition.
References :
- Wells, John C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
- Simon RP, Aminoff MJ, Greenberg DA (2009). Clinical neurology (7 ed.). New York, N.Y: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill. pp. 85–88. ISBN 9780071664332.
- Bartleson JD, Cutrer FM (May 2010). “Migraine update. Diagnosis and treatment”. Minnesota Medicine. 93 (5): 36–41. PMID 20572569.
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