One of the cruelest ailments that people suffer from is none other than a migraine. Migraine generally leads to severe pain or a pulsing sensation. These might happen on any particular side of the head. Often, the situation is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. Migraine attacks might last for as short as a few hours to as long as a few days.
One of the biggest reasons why migraine is considered as one of the most problematic diseases is the fact that the pain caused due to migraines can seriously hamper your daily activities. This is because when you have migraine pain, you find it extremely difficult to concentrate on the tasks at hand.
In case you are looking for all the answers regarding symptoms of migraine headache and how to approach its treatment, we are here to decode your doubts. Consider reading the rest of the document to have a complete understanding of the entire process.
Early signs and Aura
Few people might feel a warning symptom just before their migraine pain arises. This warning sign is called an aura, which generally occurs before the headache. However, there are other instances as well when the aura seems to present itself even during the pain. To understand the effects of migraine in a better manner, you must pay attention to the characteristics of an aura. An aura might include visual disturbances. By visual disturbances, we mean the appearance of flashes of light or blind spots. Other disturbances like difficulty speaking, or tingling on one side of your face or in an arm or leg are also common among those with migraine issues.
Diagnosis of Migraine
In most scenarios, people who have a family history of migraine are the ones to be vastly affected by the disease. A neurologist can be the right person who can detect whether you have developed migraine problems or not. The diagnosis of migraine depends on the symptoms you’re facing, your medical history, as well as extensive physical and neurological examination.
Over time, migraine conditions might get complicated. But before that, you must take adequate precautions to ensure that the disease doesn’t hurt you in the most undesirable manner. Here are the different techniques used for the detection of migraines.
1. MRI:
An MRI scan implements a powerful magnetic field as well as radio waves for producing a series of detailed images of your brain and its blood vessels. MRI scans can help your doctors to diagnose tumors, bleeding inside the brain, strokes, infections, and all other brain-related and neurological (nervous system) conditions.
2. CT scan:
A CT scan generally uses X-rays for creating a series of detailed cross-sectional photographs of your brain. This particular process helps the doctors to diagnose tumors, infections, and all the other potential medical problems that might have been causing headaches.
Migraine Treatment
The sole aim of any kind of treatment procedure undertaken for migraines is to eradicate the signs of migraines and also to prevent its resurrection in the future. Many medications exist that are used for the treatment of migraines. In general terms, there are two different categories of medications used for combating migraines. They are briefly explained below:
1. Pain-relieving medications:
This particular technique is also called an acute or abortive treatment. The drugs that are provided under this category must be taken during the migraine attacks. The sole intention of this particular type of medication is to put a stop to the symptoms of the illness.
2. Preventive medications:
The preventive medications, on the other hand, are to be consumed regularly. These medicines are generally taken to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
Your treatment choices mostly depend on the severity and frequency, whether you have nausea and vomiting with your headaches, how disabling your headaches are, and other medical conditions you have.
No matter which treatment option you choose, you should consult with your doctor before approaching any of these. Well, in this case, it’s important for you to understand that whether one of these techniques will work for you or not, largely depends on your medical condition, the severity of headaches, and the age of your migraine. A doctor is the best person who can assist you in the most suitable manner.
Medications used for relief
You probably know that before the full-fledged migraine attack commences, there is a slight pain that arises. You can use proper medication at that very moment to ensure that the headache doesn’t grow.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin (Motrin IB, Advil, others) are often prescribed by the doctor. However, you must not consume any medicine without asking your doctor.