Migraine is a kind of neurological illness, which causes moment and chronic headaches at times. It often comes with symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to lights, sound, and smell, and loss of appetite. These symptoms can last from 4 hours to 3 days. Nevertheless, effective treatment can help get rid of the irritating symptoms and relieving your condition. The initial and significant step is to observe your problem and reach out to your doctor if you feel like having a migraine.
One of the obvious characteristics of this kind of headache is throbbing pain in one side of the head. It can occur on both sides. However, people experience it on one side very often.
Other symptoms you may feel during the headache episodes can be-
- Numbness in one or both sides of the body
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Sensitivity to light, sound, and smell
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Diarrhoea
- Mood swings
- Elevated thirst
- Constipation
- Observation of black dots and wavy lines
- Ringing sounds
- Inability to speak and see properly
- Weighty sensations in the arms and legs
- Tiredness
- Weakness in the muscles
If you experience these signs and symptoms along with a severe headache, you may have a migraine. In that case, consult with your doctor to confirm the case and look for effective treatment.
What causes these headaches?
No exact causes result in the condition. However, healthcare professionals find out the following reasons that can be liable for the condition-
- The irregular blood supply in the brain
- Genetic factors
- Irregular secretion of brain chemicals in the brain
The causes of this disease are unknown. However, some factors can trigger the symptoms.
What are the diagnostic tests for migraines?
For proper treatment, your doctor may conduct an accurate diagnosis. He or she may ask you about the history of your headaches. Moreover, tell the characteristics of your condition. Following are some of the common diagnostic tests for these headaches-
Physical test
This test examines the physical causes of your condition. They may include the following-
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fever
- Exhaustion
- Breathing disorders
- High blood pressure
- Infections
- Weakness in the muscles
Neurological diagnosis
This test looks after the abnormalities in your brain, which can result in migraines. They may include-
- Injuries
- Abnormalities in blood vessels
- Tumour
- Trauma
- Blood clots
- Haemorrhage
- Inflammation
Psychological test
Under this diagnosis, your doctor may ask if you have anxiety, stress, depression, or other psychological issues. If these causes are your culprit, your doctor may help overcome these problems. Alongside, it will also address your migraine.
CT scan
CT scan helps in generating a cross-section image of your brain. Furthermore, your doctor may identify the cause responsible for your condition.
EEG
It stands for Electroencephalogram. Your doctor may go for this test if you suffer from seizures during severe headaches.
MRI
The practice of creating comprehensive pictures of your brain through magnetic resonance imaging. These will help identify the cause of migraines.
Urinalysis
This test helps review if you have thyroid problems, diabetes, and infections, which can cause throbbing headaches.
Spinal Tap
This test may help your doctor identify the infections of the spinal cord or brain.
Eye test
Pressures or strain on the eyes can also cause irritating symptoms. Therefore, your doctor may conduct this test to confirm the case.
These are some common diagnostic tests for migraine headaches. As soon as your doctor identifies the cause of your condition, he may start with effective and well-working treatment.
What can help treat this neurological condition?
Medications and lifestyle changes can help manage your symptoms and prevent complications. However, it is crucially important to take your medications on time and make supportive lifestyle adjustments. Medications for these headaches are of two kinds-
- Acute treatments
- Preventive treatments
Acute treatment relieves the pain and eases off a migraine attack. Some of the common drugs under this medication class are-
Analgesics
Analgesics may help to ease your head pain. Some of these medications are ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen. Nevertheless, consult with your doctor for proper dosage, as some painkillers can cause liver diseases over time. Moreover, they may also lead to side effects such as nausea, stomach irritation, and heartburn.
Triptans
Triptans can help alleviate headache symptoms. They work by normalizing in the brain chemicals and relaxing down the blood vessels. Some of the common migraine medications under this drug class are Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan, Frovatriptan, and Rizatriptan.
Sumatriptan
Ergots
Ergots can help with your treatment. These medications calm down the blood vessels in the brain. However, they may lead to certain side effects like dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
These medications are also effective in relieving your symptoms. However, like the painkillers, they may also be bad for your liver. People using these medications complain to have nausea, stress, and stomach irritation.
Preventive treatments aim at putting off the migraine symptoms. In addition, they also diminish the occurrence of headaches. Some of the most effective medications under this drug class are as follows-
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are the most frequent preventive treatments for this neurological disease. They work by reducing your stress and normalizing your brain chemicals.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are other effective medications for severe headaches. They relieve symptoms of high blood pressure, exhaustion, and drowsiness.
Botulinum toxins
Botulinum toxins are an effective treatment for people with severe and frequent migraine headaches. They are given to the patients in the form of an injection.
Monoclonal antibody CGRP blockers
Monoclonal antibody CGRP blockers can prevent severe head pains. Like botulinum toxins, they are also given in the form of injection and hinder the molecule, which triggers neurological illness.
Migraine can affect a person’s life adversely. Therefore, taking treatments is crucially important. Above are some medications, lifestyle adjustments, and at-home migraine remedies. However, you should always consult with your doctor before using any solution. Treatments for this neurological disease aim at managing the symptoms and preventing complications. Above all, the only thing you need to do is use medications on time and make essential lifestyle adjustments.
