Migraine: symptoms, causes, drugs, and treatment

Definition of a migraine

What are migraines?

Migraine or migraine is a type of headache that is based on nerve disorders in the brain. This nervous system disease is characterized by bouts of intense, debilitating, and recurring headaches.

The headache pain in migraine is often described as a severe throbbing, which usually occurs on one side of the head, either the left or the right. In fact, some have described the pain as being as extreme as being hit by a hard object on the head.

Apart from attacks of pain in the head, migraines are often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. These attacks and symptoms can appear at any time. When an attack comes, symptoms can last for hours to days, which may interfere with your daily activities.

Symptoms of this disease can generally be relieved using medicines and home remedies. However, treatment only serves to reduce the frequency of attacks and the severity of symptoms from each attack.

How common are these headaches?

Migraine is a fairly common type of primary headache.

Reporting from Journal of Headache and Pain, migraine is the third most common disease in the world population after dental caries and tension headaches. It is estimated that 1 in 7 people in the world have this disease.

Types of migraines

Migraine is a neurological or nervous system disease that has a number of subtypes. Each of these subtypes causes different symptoms. The following is the classification, types, or types of migraines that are common:

• Migraine with aura

This type is characterized by an aura, which is a sensory warning right before or when an attack occurs, such as seeing flashes of light or dots on an object you are viewing. Auras can also include a tingling sensation or numbness on one side of the face, arms, or legs, and difficulty speaking.

• Migraine without aura

This condition is characterized by attacks of headaches that occur suddenly without being marked with a special warning. This is the most common type.

• Migraine aura without headache

This type is also called silent migraine,that is, when an aura or other symptoms are experienced, but the headache does not develop.

• Chronic migraine

If you have frequent, persistent headaches that last more than 15 days a month, over a three month period, you may experience chronic migraines. This condition is more severe than regular or episodic migraine, which only occurs in under 15 days a month.

As for frequently experiencing migraine headaches, both right and left, can have other effects or effects that are harmful to your health. Some of the health risks that may arise from frequent migraines include stroke, heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety disorders, or epilepsy.

• Abdominal migraine

Abdominal migraine is a condition often experienced by children. This type is characterized by stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, which can interfere with normal activities.

• Retinal migraine

Retinal migraineis the type that causes vision loss, which can last from a minute to months. This is a special type of aura that accompanies a migraine attack, and is generally a sign of a more serious problem.

• Hemiplegic migraine

This type is usually characterized by weakness on one side of the body and is often accompanied by visual aura symptoms and a sensation of tingling or numbness. However, this symptom may not include a severe headache.

Migraine signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of migraines?

The most typical symptom or characteristic of migraine is the attack of one-sided headaches, both on the right and left, with very strong pain intensity. This one-sided headache can spread to other parts of the head.

The attacks and symptoms of this disease can begin in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood, and generally appear gradually in four phases, namely prodrome, aura, attack (attack), and post-drome.However, not all sufferers will experience all phases of these levels. The following is an explanation of each phase:

1. Prodromal phase

The prodrome phase will usually appear within a few days to a few hours before the onset. In this phase, common symptoms include:

• Constipation or constipation.
• Mood swings (mood) extreme alias mood swing.
• Change in appetite.
• The neck feels stiff.
• The desire to urinate is increasing.
• It's easier to feel thirsty.
• Yawn more often.

2. The aura phase

In some people, an aura may occur before or when the attack occurs, which usually starts slowly and lasts up to 20-60 minutes. Auric symptoms usually include:

• There are flashes of light, certain forms of shadows, spots, or points of light on the object being viewed. This condition is called floaters.
• Your vision suddenly disappears for a while.
• Numbness, tingling in the hands and feet, or a prickling sensation.
• The body feels weak.
• The face or one side of the body is numb.
• Suddenly having trouble speaking.
• Hearing voices or music.
• Seizure-like movements that you can't control.

3. Phase attackor attack

The attack or attack phase is the stage where migraine symptoms generally appear. These attacks can last up to 72 hours or more (status migrainosus) if left untreated. The symptoms of an attack that will appear are:

• Very intense pain in one side of the head, but also often attacks both sides of the head simultaneously.
• Pain that is like throbbing.
• You will be more sensitive to light or sound. In fact, sometimes you also become sensitive to smell and touch.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pain that gets worse with movement, coughing, or sneezing.

4. Phase post-drome

After experiencing an attack, you will usually feel weak because you are running out of energy and confused (dazed). This is what is called a phase post-drome. In this phase, a sudden head movement can make you feel the attack again, even if only for a moment.

The symptoms above occur more often in the morning when you wake up from sleep. Some people may also experience attacks at predictable times, such as before their period or on the weekend after a stressful work week.

When should I see a doctor?

You should immediately seek medical help or consult a doctor if you have certain migraine symptoms or conditions. This could be a sign that you have a more serious health problem, such as a stroke or meningitis. Here are some conditions to watch out for:

• The headache strikes suddenly and feels very painful like you've never felt before.
• Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, seizures, rash, mental confusion, shadowy eyesight, or weakness.
• Paralysis or weakness in one or both arms, or one side of the face.
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking.
• You lose consciousness while experiencing it.
• Headaches that just appear when you are 50 years of age and over.
• Headaches that get worse after you exercise, have sex, cough, or sneeze.
• Migraines that start after you have an injury to your head.

The status and conditions experienced can vary from person to person. So it is an obligation for you to always discuss with your doctor about the best method of diagnosis, treatment and treatment for you.

Causes of migraines

Until now, it is still uncertain what causes migraines. However, this condition is thought to result from changes or disturbances in the chemicals, nerves, and blood vessels in the brain.

About half of people with this disease also have a family or sibling with the same condition. This suggests that genetic factors may play a role in causing this disease.

Meanwhile, migraine attacks in sufferers are known to be triggered by one or a combination of the following:

• Hormonal changes in women, such as before or during menstruation, pregnancy, and at menopause.
• Alcoholic drinks, such as wine.
• Drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea and coffee.
• Stress.
• Very, very tired.
• Exposure to too bright light, strong odors, or too loud sounds.
• Changes in sleep habits, such as lack of sleep or sleeping too long.
• Jet lag.
• Intense physical activity, such as vigorous exercise and headaches due to sex.
• Extreme weather changes.
• Use of certain drugs, such as nitroglycerin.
• Certain foods, such as processed foods, foods that contain a lot of salt, foods made with additives such as artificial sweeteners or mecin (MSG).
• The habit of skipping meals.

Migraine risk factors

The most basic cause of migraine is not known. However, there are several factors that can increase your risk of experiencing it, namely:

• Family medical history

If any of your family members have migraines, then your risk of developing this condition will be greater than other people who don't.

• Age

Migraines can occur at any age, including children, although they often go undiagnosed. However, this condition more often starts in adolescence and tends to peak in the 30s. Then gradually, the condition became less severe and less common in the following decades.

• Gender

Gender is one of the factors that may affect your risk of developing this type of headache. Women are three times more likely to experience this type of headache than men.

• Hormonal changes

Headaches in women tend to occur due to hormonal changes, such as before menstruation, during pregnancy, or at menopause. After menopause, these headaches generally get better.

In addition, the use of drugs that contain hormones, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, also has the potential to aggravate any headaches you are experiencing.

• Certain medical conditions

Apart from the factors above, having certain medical conditions can also increase the risk of migraines. These medical conditions include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, and epilepsy.

Not having the risk factors above does not mean you are unlikely to experience this condition. The reason is, you may still be exposed to external factors that can trigger an attack, as described above. Consult a doctor for more information.

Migraine diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do doctors diagnose it?

This disease can be diagnosed by identifying symptoms, including the frequency and duration of headaches, as well as medical history and certain factors that may trigger them. The doctor will also perform a physical and neurological examination to confirm a migraine diagnosis based on these symptoms.

If the conditions and symptoms you are experiencing are unusual, complicated, or severe, a neurologist will perform several supporting tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT Scan). These tests can help doctors diagnose tumors, strokes, bleeding in the brain, infections, brain damage, or other problems with the brain and nervous system, which may be causing headaches.

What are the treatment options for migraines?

There are several migraine treatment options that you can use to relieve headaches. Usually, treatment will be adjusted according to your age, the frequency and severity of your symptoms, and any other health conditions you have.

• Pain relievers

Painkillers that you can use to relieve migraines, including paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen. This drug can be purchased over the counter without a doctor's prescription.

However, if these medicines are used long-term, you may actually experience migraine complications, namely rebound headache which is characterized by recurring headaches.

• Triptan drugs

Triptan drugs, such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan, are prescription drugs that work by blocking pain signals from entering the brain. These medications can be in the form of pills, injectable drugs, or nasal sprays. However, this drug may not be safe for patients who have had a stroke or heart attack.

• Anti-nausea medication

If you experience one-sided headache accompanied by aura and nausea and vomiting, anti-nausea medications can help you deal with this condition. Anti-nausea medications, including chlorpromazine, metoclopramide, and prochlorperazine can be used together with pain relievers.

• Opioid drugs

Opioid drugs are usually given to patients who cannot take other migraine medications. However, this drug can make users addicted if used carelessly. Therefore, the doctor will only prescribe this drug as a last resort to treat your condition.

• Dihydroergotamine drugs

Dihydroergotamine is available as a nasal spray or as an injection drug. These drugs are usually quite effective at treating migraine symptoms, especially if they last for more than 24 hours. However, people with coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, or liver problems should avoid using this drug.

Home migraine treatment

Apart from medications, some healthy lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you deal with migraines are:

• Resting with your eyes closed in a quiet and dark room.
• Cold compress on the forehead area to reduce pain.
• Drink lots of water.
• Enough sleep.
• Regular and regular exercise, such as aerobic exercise that is not too strenuous.
• Head massage for migraines.
• Do not skip meals and adopt a healthy diet, including eating foods that prevent migraines.
• Using essential oils for headaches.
• Try relaxation techniques to reduce stress as a headache trigger, such as biofeedback.

If you have questions about migraines or headaches on the one hand, you should consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Migraine prevention

The main way to prevent migraines is to avoid various triggers that can cause attacks and symptoms to recur, such as stress, certain foods, and so on. Apart from avoiding these things, you also need to do the following ways to prevent this disease from occurring:

• Regular and regular exercise.
• Not skipping meals and adopting a healthy diet, including limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption.
• Avoid dehydration by drinking lots of water.
• Manage stress.
• Enough sleep and regular.
• Take medication to prevent migraines from a doctor, such as anti-seizure drugs or blood pressure medications, especially if you are already in a severe condition.