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Overview
A migraine: what is it? An expert from the Mayo Clinic explains
It can be scary to learn about migraine disorder. Amaal Starling, M.D., a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, walks you through the facts, the questions, and the answers to help you better understand this illness.
One side of the head is frequently affected by migraines, which can create unbearable pulsating or throbbing pain. Extreme light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting are frequently associated with it. A migraine attack can last for hours or days, and the pain can be so intense that it interferes with daily activities.
Some patients get an aura before or in addition to their headache, which is a warning indicator. Visual abnormalities such as blind patches or light flashes, together with physical disturbances including tingling on one side of the face or in one arm or leg  and trouble speaking,and difficulty speaking are all examples of auras.
Certain migraines can be avoided, and their severity can be reduced with the use of medications.The right drugs, lifestyle changes, and self-help methods could be beneficial.
Symptoms
Prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome are the four phases of migraines that can affect adults as well as kids and teenagers.Not all migraineurs go through each stage.
Prodrome
You may observe minor changes one or two days prior to a migraine that indicate an impending migraine, such as:
- Constipation.
- Mood changes from depression to euphoria.
- Food cravings.
- Neck stiffness.
- Increased urination.
- Fluid retention.
- Frequent yawning.
Aura
Some people may experience an aura prior to or during a migraine. Reversible nervous system symptoms include auras. Although they can involve other disturbances, they are typically visual. Every symptom often starts slowly, intensifies over a few minutes, and can persist for up to an hour.
Auras associated with migraines include:
- Visual phenomena include the perception of different shapes, bright spots, or light flashes.
- Vision loss.
- Sensations of pins and needles in a leg or arm.
- One side of the body or the face may feel weak or numb.
- Speaking is challenging.
Attack
  Each person experiences migraines at a different frequency. A migraine may occur once a month or several times a month.
When you have a migraine, you may experience:
- Usually, one side of your head hurts, although it can happen on both sides.
- Pain that pulses or throbs.
- Vomiting and nausea.
Post-drome
For up to a day following a migraine attack, you may feel exhausted, disoriented, and exhausted. Some claim to feel ecstatic. A sudden movement of the head could momentarily trigger the discomfort again.
When to see a doctor
Many times, migraines go undiagnosed and untreated. If you experience migraine symptoms on a regular basis, note your attacks and the ways you handle them. Next, schedule a consultation with your physician to talk about your headaches.
See your doctor if the pattern of your headaches changes or if they feel different all of a sudden, even if you have a history of headaches.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, which could point to a more serious medical issue, you should see your doctor right away or visit the emergency room:
A thunderclap-like headache that comes on suddenly.
A stroke may be indicated by a headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, disorientation, convulsions, double vision, and numbness or weakness in any portion of the body.
Headache following a head trauma.
Causes
Although the exact causes of migraines are unknown, environmental and genetic factors are involved.
There may be alterations in the brainstem and how it interacts with the trigeminal nerve, a key pain channel. Unbalances in brain chemicals, such as serotonin, which aids in controlling pain in the neurological system, may also be to blame.
Other neurotransmitters, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), contribute to migraine pain.
Migraine triggers
Numerous things can cause migraines, such as:
Hormonal shifts in females. Many women seem to experience headaches when their estrogen levels fluctuate, such as before or during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
Oral contraceptives and other hormonal medicines can exacerbate migraines. Nonetheless, some women claim that using these medications lessens how frequently they get migraines.
Beverages. These include excessive caffeine intake from beverages like coffee and alcohol, particularly wine.
Stress. Migraines can be brought on by stress at work or home.
Sensory inputs. Loud noises and bright or flashing lights can both cause migraines. Some people get headaches from strong scents, including paint thinner, perfume, secondhand smoke, and other things.
Sleep varies. For some people, migraines can be brought on by either sleeping too much or missing sleep.
Physical stress. Sexual activity and other forms of intense physical effort may cause migraines.
The weather varies. A shift in the weather or barometric pressure might trigger a migraine.
Drugs. Migraines can be made worse by oral contraceptives and vasodilators like nitroglycerin.
Foods. Processed foods, salty foods, and aged cheeses may cause migraines. Meal skipping may also be a factor.
Additions for food. These include the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is present in a lot of foods, and the sweetener aspartame.
Risk factors
You are more susceptible to migraines for a number of reasons, such as:
Family background. You are more likely to get migraines yourself if you have a family member who does.
Age. Although the onset of migraines can happen at any age, it usually occurs around adolescence. Your 30s are generally when migraines peak, and in the decades that follow, they progressively become less severe and infrequent.
Intercourse. Migraines are three times as common in women than in men.
Hormonal shifts. Women with migraines may get headaches right before or soon after their periods start.After menopause, migraines usually get better.
