Migraine is a prevalent health concern, affecting 1 in 7 individuals worldwide, with women being three times more susceptible than males. But what is the cause? Migraine is a neurological disorder characterised by moderate to severe headache on one side that can last from four to seventy-two hours and is frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and increased sensitivity to light and sound.
The majority of migraine sufferers experience only a few attacks each month, and only 2% of instances are chronic migraines, in which headaches may occur on more than 15 days per month.
What Can Cause Migraine?
There isn’t a specific cause of migraines. Medical experts believe that changes in hormone levels produce hormonal migraines. Hormones are molecules that regulate bodily processes such as sexual function, development, and metabolism. Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that can impact the processing of migraine pain.
These hormones and their fluctuating levels may influence migraine vulnerability. Migraine pain can be triggered by cheese, alcohol, chocolate, almonds, processed foods, certain odours, strong light, sleep disruptions, menstruation, menopause, travel, weather changes, and stress.
An episode of migraine comprises four phases: the prodrome phase, which occurs several hours to days before a headache, is the first. This phase is characterised by irritability, depression, and increased yawning and food cravings.
The second phase is the aura phase, in which the individual sees flashes of light in front of their eyes, sees zigzag lines, and experiences numbness and tingling in the body. Migraines can manifest either with or without aura.
The third phase is the headache phase, which lasts between four and seventy-two hours, and the fourth phase is the hangout period, during which the individual feels generally ill, irritable, and disoriented.
During menstruation, migraines may occur more frequently in women, probably because of a drop in hormone levels (estrogen). In two-thirds of cases, migraines diminish during menopause. In a few cases, however, it can manifest after menopause.
The Possible Treatment
Migraine attacks in children typically manifest as recurrent vomiting syndrome or abdominal migraine without headache. Infantile colic may be the early indication of migraine. Children with one migraine-afflicted parent have a 50% probability of developing migraines, whereas those with two migraine-afflicted parents have a 75% chance.
Migraine is a benign disorder for which reassurance is the initial therapy step. Avoiding triggers is crucial. It involves women with migraines stopping smoking, avoiding alcohol, minimising excessive caffeine consumption, and avoiding birth control pills.
In many instances, mild to moderate hormonal migraine can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. In severe cases that do not improve with self-management, your physician may prescribe alternative therapies.
Migraine can also be prevented using nonpharmacological treatments such as deep breathing, yoga, and relaxation techniques. It is advisable to keep a migraine diary in order to determine the association between migraine triggers and onsets in order to better therapy.
