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Migraine

A migraine is a type of headache that causes painful throbbing or pulsing in the head, usually only on one side. It often presents with other symptoms, such as light sensitivity or nausea. Migraine symptoms may pass in a few hours, but they can persist for a few days. The pain is generally intense enough to interrupt daily activities.

What you need to know about Migraine

Migraine is a neurological condition that impacts the brain and nerves. It often runs in families and is more common in women.

Many people associate migraines with having an ‘aura’, but this isn’t always the case. An aura relates to specific types of migraines and is a warning sign that it is coming.

There are many types of migraines. Some people only suffer from one type, while others experience multiple types. The most common types are:

Migraine without aura

This is when the migraine appears without an aura. These migraines usually last for 4 to 72 hours, depending on treatment. Most of the time, it isn’t caused by another health condition.

Migraine with aura

Approximately 25% of patients have an aura before their migraine. Sometimes it stops once the attack begins, while other times it persists. There are also cases where the migraine and aura begin at the same time. Symptoms usually include head pain and changes in vision, but other disturbances can occur.

Other types of migraines:

  • Chronic, also known as Combination, Mixed or Severe
  • Acute
  • Hormonal
  • Vestibular.

Abdominal migraines, which don’t cause head pain, also exist. They can happen at any age, but are more common in children. They cause moderate to severe abdominal pain that lasts for up to 72 hours.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of migraine can appear at any age. The experience often occurs in 4 stages, though not everyone experiences each one.

1. Prodrome

This begins a day or two before a migraine starts. The body may give subtle warning signs that a migraine is on its way, such as:

  • Constipation
  • Urinating more often
  • Mood changes
  • Food cravings
  • Appetite changes
  • Stiff neck
  • Fluid retention
  • Yawning regularly.

2. Aura

An aura is a temporary nervous system symptom. It can happen before or during a migraine, and can last from minutes to an hour. Common aura symptoms include:

  • Head pain
  • Visual problems
  • Light or sound sensitivity
  • Numbness, tingling, or dizziness
  • Odd sensations in the face
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Weakness
  • Ringing in the ears.

3. Attack

This is when the full intensity of the migraine hits. Symptoms of migraines usually include at least two of these:

  • pain on one side of the head only
  • pulsing or throbbing pain in the head
  • moderate to severe pain
  • movement exacerbates the pain
  • Light or sound sensitivity
  • Aversion to strong smells
  • Nausea or vomiting.

4. Post-drome

This is the recovery phase, after the migraine has finished. Having a migraine isn’t only uncomfortable, it uses up a lot of energy and is taxing on your adrenals. After a migraine, patients often feel:

  • Fatigued
  • Tired
  • Confused
  • Light-headed
  • Sudden head movements can trigger residual pain.

Less commonly, people feel elated after a migraine. 

Causes of Migraine Attacks

Migraine causes aren’t well understood. Genetics and environmental factors seem to play a major role, but research is yet to pinpoint how and why this is so.

The brainstem and trigeminal nerve, a pain pathway, are likely part of the equation. As are neurotransmitter imbalances, e.g. serotonin, as they’re involved with how the body perceives pain.

Migraine Triggers

While migraine causes aren’t yet clear, migraine triggers are well understood. They usually relate to:

  • Hormone fluctuations in women
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Dehydration
  • Stress
  • Bright, flashing or strobing lights (in person or watching them on T.V.)
  • Strong smells, e.g. perfume, paint thinners
  • Loud sounds, e.g. pounding music
  • Sleep changes
  • Intense physical activity
  • Barometric pressure changes
  • Skipping meals
  • Poor gut health
  • Food sensitivities/intolerances, e.g. salicylates, chocolate
  • Food additives, e.g. MSG, aspartame
  • Some foods, e.g. aged cheeses, salty foods, high processed
  • Some medications, e.g. oral contraceptive pill (OCP)

Migraine Treatments

Migraine treatment aims to reduce symptoms and, ideally, prevent future migraine attacks. The most successful treatments also involve reducing exposure to triggers.

Medication

Pharmaceutical medications are often used as migraine treatment. They’re either:

  1. Pain-relievers. These are taken only during a migraine to minimise symptoms.
  2. Preventatives. Daily medications that help to decrease the severity and frequency of migraine attacks. 

Natural Treatments

Allied health practitioners offer migraine treatments too.

Acupuncture: May help reduce the frequency of headaches and migraines by up to 50%.

Naturopathy: Naturopaths use herbs, diet and lifestyle changes help treat the cause of migraines.

Osteopathy: Ideal if migraines relate to poor posture, injuries or spinal misalignment.

Massage: Helps relax the body and decrease muscle tension. This helps reduce stress and migraine frequency, thereby improving quality of life.

Meditation: Soothes the part of the nervous system connected to stress and pain perception. It also helps ground the energy in an overactive mind.

Reflexology: Uses trigger points in the feet to relax the nervous system and increase overall wellbeing.

Reiki: An energy healing treatment that helps with pain management.

Avaana can help you find these migraine experts in your area.

Click here to search and book a practitioner who can help you treat migraines.

Home Remedies

Migraine home remedies can also help you feel better:

  • When symptoms begin, find a quiet, dark space where you can relax. Place a cool cloth on your forehead and close your eyes.
  • Stay hydrated, as dehydration may trigger an attack.
  • Relaxing, self-care practices can help reduce migraine frequency, e.g. DIY scalp massage helps some people.
  • Eat regular meals to stabilise blood sugar
  • Stick to a sleep routine
  • Exercise often to release stress and boost wellbeing. Yoga and pilates may help reduce migraine headaches.
  • Keep a migraine diary to identify patterns between migraines and triggers.

How is migraine diagnosed?

Doctors often refer patients with migraine to a Neurologist for diagnosis. They specialise in nerves and treatment protocols.

If your migraine is unusual or complex, you may be asked to have an MRI or CT-Scan to get more detail.

Conclusion

Migraines are a neurological condition that cause painful throbbing or pulsating sensations in the head, as well as other symptoms. They can occur at any time of the day or night, and are often triggered by one or more factors (different for everyone). Migraine attacks can be debilitating and make it hard to live a normal life if they’re frequent.

Orthodox and natural treatments have been shown to help patients. They can help decrease how often they occur, as well as control symptoms. 

FAQs

Is a migraine the same as a headache?

No, migraines and headaches are not the same thing. A headache, which causes an uncomfortable ache or pain in the head, is one symptom of a migraine. But, migraines are severe, present with throbbing and relate to a neurological disease.

What are chronic migraines?

Chronic migraine symptoms correlate with both tension headaches and migraines. Patients have a migraine or severe headache for at least 15 days a month for 3 months or more.

Can you have a migraine without an aura?

Yes, and this is quite common. They usually last for 4 to 72 hours, depending on treatment. Most of the time, this type of migraine isn’t caused by another health condition.