The symptoms of a migraine are one topic that a lot of people are interested in, given the fact that the condition is quite prevalent in society. This article talks about the symptoms of a migraine, its causes, and the medication you can take to relieve these symptoms.
Before looking at the symptoms of a migraine, it is important to define what a migraine is in the first place. This is a severe kind of headache caused by vasodilation (or the enlargement of the blood vessels), causing nerve fibers to release chemicals that can inflame and enlarge the arteries, causing extreme pain.
Migraine affects millions of people all over the world, with women more likely to suffer from the condition compared to men. Most migraine sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated, with less than half consulting with their doctors regarding their condition. This has made the condition much worse for these sufferers, as the symptoms of a migraine can be bad enough so as to affect their quality of life.
The most easily identifiable of the migraine symptoms is an intense headache accompanied by a throbbing or pounding pain. While it’s common for the headache to be felt on one side of the head, some people who show symptoms of a migraine may experience radiating pain coming from both sides of the head. The pain may be felt in the forehead area, around the eyes, or at the back of the head.
Sensitivity to light and sound can also be some of the symptoms of a migraine, causing the headaches of sufferers to feel even worse. Because of this, most of those who show the symptoms of a migraine prefer to lie down in a quiet, dark room until the headache passes to prevent aggravating their condition.
Nausea and vomiting may also be experienced as part of the symptoms of a migraine. This can be accompanied by pale, clammy skin (especially cold hands and feet), although these are less common symptoms of a migraine.
Some people may experience migraine headaches that are associated with auras (this condition is called a classic migraine). In this instance, the other symptoms may be accompanied by visual problems characterized by flashing lights appearing in a zigzag pattern (called fortification spectra) or see blind spots appear before their eyes. Classic migraines may also include stiffness or tingling in the shoulders, neck, and/or limbs, coordination problems, speech difficulties, and even loss of consciousness, although the last symptom happens rarely.
The symptoms of a migraine can last between a few hours, although there are some people who are unfortunate enough to experience the blinding headache for up to three days. However, all of these symptoms will usually clear up along with the headache. Sufferers may feel extremely tired and sleepy for several days after an attack.
Migraines may actually show warning symptoms days before the actual attack. These can include fatigue, irritability, depression or euphoria, constant yawning, cold sweat, craving for sweet or salty food, abdominal pain, and frequent urination. Those who experience these warning symptoms constitute 40 to 60% of all migraine attacks.
There remains a lot of unknown factors when it comes to migraine factors, although some researchers theorize that genetics and environmental factors play huge roles in causing this condition; nevertheless, they have been able to pinpoint some factors that can trigger the symptoms of a migraine. These include:
* Emotional triggers (including stress, depression, and anxiety);
* Physical triggers (including stress, tiredness, poor quality of sleep, and poor posture);
* Dietary triggers (including eating or drinking food containing caffeine such as coffee, chocolate, and tea, citrus fruits, alcohol, delayed or irregular meals, dehydration, and poor nutrition);
* Environmental triggers (including bright, flashing lights, being exposed to smoke, strong smells, changes in the weather, and loud noises);
* Medication (which can include pills for contraception, sleeping aids, or hormone replacement therapy); and
* Hormonal changes.
Some researchers also theorize that the condition may also be caused by low serotonin levels, causing the blood vessels to contract and then widen.
Those who have experienced this condition know that migraine medication may be the only remedy to provide relief for the symptoms of the ailment. While it’s possible to take standard painkillers to get relief from the pain, there are actually some medications that have been formulated specifically for migraines, with triptans and ergot preparations appearing at the top of the list. These two medications essentially work the same way, by constricting the dilated blood vessels in order to reduce the inflammation and cause the headaches (as well as the other symptoms) to disappear.
Zomig is an example of a triptan. This is a prescription medicine formulated to treat the headaches caused by migraine. Do make sure that you consult with your doctor prior to taking the drug to make sure that it is the right choice for you.
Thanks to the introduction of migraine-specific medications, it is now possible for sufferers to find relief from their condition. Consult with your doctor and ask about Zomig if it’s the best medication that you can use to treat the symptoms of a migraine.symptoms of a migraine, migraine symptoms, migraine causes, migraine headaches, migraine medication