Those who suffer from a migraine know how much it can damage their way of life. Migraines are arguably the most debilitating form of headaches. These intense headaches can last for long periods before going away seemingly of their own volition. What’s worse is that many people suffer from migraines multiple times per year, with these interfering with their jobs, school or social lives.
Handling migraines can become an important aspect to a sufferer’s life. Handling a migraine can negate or reduce the problems that they cause. Through prevention and quick responsive treatment, people can go on living their lives in a more normal fashion without succumbing to the struggles of migraines.
Migraine Symptoms
People think of a migraine as a headache that comes on suddenly. However, the truth is that they are far more complicated than normal headaches. Many people suffer from what’s known as “prodrome”. Prodrome functions as a sort of warning to people that they are about to suffer from a migraine. Prodrome can have several changes to the body. There’s several signs and symptoms that can occur during the prodromal period. Some people may suffer from weird food cravings or feel constantly thirsty. In turn, many feel the need to urinate. Mood changes are common as well. Some people can feel depressed, while others are giddy or even feel a sense of euphoria. The neck can get stiff, and constipation can occur.
One of the most specific and odd symptoms of a migraine is aura. This doesn’t occur for every migraine sufferer. People who suffer from aura may feel odd visual stimuli. These symptoms come from the nervous system. People with aura can see flashes of light and bright spots. In some cases, their vision will go away entirely. The arms and legs may suffer from pins and needles. Some people have difficulty speaking or issues with hearing. In some cases, the body can suffer from odd movements or jerking movements.
During the migraine, the head will suffer from serious pain on one side of the head. It can be a consistent throbbing pain or one that pulses on and off. People may also feel very sensitive to environmental stimuli. It’s most common to light and sounds, but may also affect people’s sense of smell and their touch. Some suffer from vomiting and nausea as part of the migraine.
Tips to Relieve Migraines
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for a migraine headache. That leaves two things that can be done. First is to try to prevent migraines from occurring in the first place. The second thing is to try to reduce the severity of a migraine that has already occurred. Preventative measures and medications are typically taken consistently, often every day. It works to either reduce the number of migraines a person suffers, or the overall severity of the migraines that are suffered. Treatment will of course depend on how severe the migraines are.
When it comes to pain relief, lesser migraines are usually treated by pain relievers. The problem is that taking too many painkillers over a longer term can sometimes lead to headaches from medication overuse. If people suffer from severe symptoms of other types, then medications can also be prescribed for those instead. Anti-nausea medication is a common supplement to pain relief for a migraine.