CandyDani

what is a migraine?

— a migraine is a type of severe headache where you typically feel throbbing or pulsing pain on a singular side of the head, usually in the front or side. a large majority of people who experience migraines report light and sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness (if you pass out, go to the ER or call an ambulance!)

leadup?

— the migraine itself usually does not start with the pain. there is a period of time before the actual migraine headache itself called the prodrome. this stage can last around one to two days. symptoms of the prodrome are:

constipation

extreme mood swings

cravings

stiffness of the neck

increased urination

fluid retention

frequent/uncontrollable yawning

— there is something called a "migraine aura". some people who experience migraines will experience this before the pain itself begins. auras are reversible symptoms of the nervous system. they are usually visual—though they can also present otherwise, such as bodily sensations. each symptom will build up gradually and last up to 60 minutes. it is very important you take pain medication as soon as you notice any of the following symptoms of the migraine "aura":

visual changes, such as seeing shapes, bright spots, or flashes of light

vision loss

a feeling of pins and needles in an arm or leg

weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body

trouble speaking

— the reason i say it is important to take pain medication immediately (both ibuprofen and paracetamol, they are safe to take together) is to lessen the pain as much as possible during the migraine attack. once the aura fades, the pain is horrid. the quicker you take the painkillers, the more effective they are during the attack.

attack?

— untreated, migraine headaches usually last anywhere from 4 - 72 hours (i, myself, have had a migraine that lasted 87 hours, my body just does that). how often a migraine may occur varies from person to person; this can be a weekly or monthly thing for some, and an annual thing for others. typical migraine symptoms include:

pain that's (usually) on one side of your head, though it can occur on both sides at the same time

pain that throbs or pulses

sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell or touch

nausea and vomiting

consciousness being unreliable

postdrome?

— after the attack, the next day or two may feel confusing, overly or unusually fatiguing, or straight-up draining. there are also reports of higher energy levels or feeling suddenly elated, which could be due to a spike in dopamine/norepinephrine, though low levels of plasma norepinephrine during the steady state has also been found in individuals who frequently experience migraines. certain research suggests that patients with migraine show sympathetic hypofunction together with denervation hypersensitivity of the iris and the arteries, and that a defective noradrenergic nervous system may play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine. anyways, you can continue to take painkillers until the pain gets more tolerable, though it's really just personal preference after the attack.

treatment?

— simple, at-home treatments include:

cold compress on your head or the area in pain

warm compress on your head or the area in pain

pain-relief medication (take both ibuprofen and paracetamol together)

low-to-no lights

quiet, dark room

anti-nausea medication

no phone, tv, laptop, or ipad time! no blue-light

plain, basic food (the kind you'd eat if you had a stomach bug)

relaxing in general, try to stay calm as stress/anxiety can worsen the pain

doctor?

— migraines are often not diagnosed or treated. if you regularly have symptoms of migraines, keep a record of your attacks and how you treated them. then make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your headaches and potential underlying causes, to find a proper long-term treatment. if you have a history of headaches, see your healthcare professional if the pattern changes or your headaches suddenly feel different, trust your doctor and not a random girl on tumblr! see your doctor immediately or go to the ER if you have any of the following symptoms. they could be caused by a more serious medical issue than a simple migraine:

an abrupt, very bad headache like a thunderclap

headache with a fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, or numbness or weakness in any part of the body, as these are symptoms of a stroke

headache after a head injury

chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or sudden movement

triggers?

— there are many common triggers, a lot of which are unavoidable, which sucks. some of these are:

hormones. fluctuation in estrogen levels seems to trigger headaches in many people. this can happen before or during your periods or during pregnancy and menopause. hormonal medicines, such as birth control, can also worsen migraines. some people, however, find that their migraines occur less often when taking hormonal contraceptives. i've even heard of a woman who didn't get migraines at all during her pregnancy, due to the hormonal aspect of it.

alcohol and caffeine. alcohol, especially wine, can trigger migraines, as well as too much caffeine, such as in coffee. if you commonly get migraines, try going sober or switching to decaf!

stress. as with a lot of headaches, being stressed can be the most simple but annoying cause of it.

sensory stimuli. bright or flashing lights can induce migraines, as well as loud noises. strong scents such as perfume, paint thinner, secondhand smoke, etc. can all cause migraines.

sleep changes. missing sleep or oversleeping could be the cause. regulate your sleep schedule!

physical strain. intense physical exertion (yes, sex counts) could trigger a migraine in certain individuals, especially if it's out of the norm for you.

weather changes. changes in temperature, barometric level shifts, and seasonal changes can provoke a migraine headache.

medicines. oral contraceptives and vasodilators (nitroglycerin is one example) can aggravate migraines.

foods. aged cheeses, salty or processed foods, or skipping meals could be the cause.

food additives. whilst rare, things like MSG (monosodium glutamate) can also bring on a migraine headache.

risk factors?

— some things are out of your control, but they can still make you more susceptible to getting migraines. such as:

family history. pretty self-explanatory, but having a family member with a history of migraines can up your chances of getting one yourself.

age. migraines can begin to occur at any age, but usually begin around thirteen to nineteen. they peak during your thirties, then lessen with age (usually).

sex. AFAB people are three time more likely to experience migraines than AMAB people.

hormonal changes. typically begin just before or shortly after your first period; they also may change during pregnancy or menopause. a lot of women have reported that migraines either lessened or completely stopped post-menopause.

important notes?