Migraine is a neurological disease Migraine is a condition that causes episodes ('attacks') of headaches. People who get migraines often describe the pain as pulsing or throbbing in one area of the head. Up to 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men have experienced a migraine. In the U.S., 18% of women and 6% of men report having had at least one migraine episode in the previous year. Migraines' secondary characteristics are inconsistent. Triggers precipitating a particular episode of migraine vary widely. The efficacy of the simplest treatment, applying warmth or coolness to the affected area of the head, varies between persons, sometimes worsening the migraine. A migraine is also often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraine pain can be excruciating and may diable you for hours or even days. A migraine attack can be triggered by stress, food, environmental changes, or some other factor. Migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; aged cheeses; chocolate; fermented, pickled or marinated foods; aspartame; overuse of caffeine; monosodium glutamat. Some people can tell when they are about to have a migraine because they see flashing lights or zigzag lines or they temporarily lose their vision. Certain medications can aggravate migraines. During a headache, serotonin levels drop. This causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides.
Medicines can help prevent migraine attacks or help relieve symptoms of attacks when they happen. Paracetamol or aspirin work well for many migraine attacks. Anticonvulsants such as valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), or topiramate (Topamax). Opiatesare sometimes used to treat migraine pain when people can't take triptans or ergots. Migraine sufferers usually develop their own coping mechanisms for the pain of a migraine attack. A cold or hot shower directed at the head, a hot or cold wet washcloth, a warm bath, or resting in a dark and silent room may be as helpful as medication for many patients, but both should be used when needed. A good way to identify triggers is to keep a headache diary. Exercise regularly , Avoid smoking and avoid alcohol.
