Have you ever felt a pounding headache, nausea, vomiting, double vision, light and sound irritation? If yes, then probably you have experienced migraine. A migraine can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on just one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
It’s no joke when migraine attacks as it attacks out of the blue. Warning symptoms known as aura which produces flickering lights, spots, or lines, may occur before or with the headache. It can consequently cause significant pain for hours to days and can be so severe that the pain is disabling. Physical activity may intensify the pain, but symptoms can vary from person to person and from one attack to the next.
It’s always better to be educated about signs and symptoms of migraine. Sometimes you might experience them yet you are not sure about the pain you feel tells you something. Or others might see the signs and yet think that’s normal. So here; One sign of migraine is change of mood. Some patients will feel very depressed or suddenly down for no reason, too.
You may also have trouble falling asleep. This inability to sleep can be the start of a vicious cycle and might accumulate overtime resulting to insomnia -- which is linked to migraine and also may lead to more serious health problems like diabetes, heart attack and more. Sinus symptoms, such as stuffy nose, clear nasal drainage, droopy eyelids, or tearing may also be experienced. Stiff neck and food cravings are also prevalent before a migraine attack occurs. Once you've already got a migraine, some odor can make it intense and worse. Balance problem which is caused by intense dizziness or vertigo ( when a person feels as if they or the objects around them are moving when they are not)
Many medications have been designed to treat migraines. Some drugs often used to treat other conditions also may help relieve or prevent migraines.
Medications include:
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Pain relievers. Aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) may help relieve mild migraines.
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Triptans. These medications are often used in treating migraines. Triptans make blood vessels constrict and block pain pathways in the brain. Triptans effectively relieve the pain and other symptoms that are associated with migraines. They are available in pill, nasal spray and injection form.
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Ergots. Ergotamine and caffeine combination drugs (Migergot, Cafergot) are less effective than triptans. Ergots seem most effective in those whose pain lasts for more than 48 hours. Ergots are most effective when taken soon after migraine symptoms start.
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Anti-nausea medications. Medication for nausea is usually combined with other medications. Frequently prescribed medications are chlorpromazine, metoclopramide (Reglan) or prochlorperazine (Compro).
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Opioid medications. Opioid medications containing narcotics, particularly codeine, are sometimes used to treat migraine pain for people who can't take triptans or ergots. Narcotics are habit-forming and are usually used only if no other treatments provide relief.
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Glucocorticoids (prednisone, dexamethasone). A glucocorticoid may be used with other medications to improve pain relief. Glucocorticoids shouldn't be used frequently to avoid side effects.
We can not compare migraine to other migraine. They are all not the same but share one thing in common -- it’s painful. So we have to be very understanding and patient towards people who experience such dreadful feeling.
Source:
Migraines and Headaches Health Center. http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/
Migraines. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/home/ovc-20202432
