MIGRAINE HEADACHE | CAUSES – SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

22/03/2024

►What is Migraine headache?

Migraine is a primary headache disorder that occurs in episodes. Symptoms typically last from 4 to 72 hours and can cause severe headaches. The condition often manifests as unilateral headache, pulsating in nature, worsening with exertion, and accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light, sound, or odors. Women are three times more likely than men to suffer from migraine headaches.

► Classification of Migraine

Migraine without aura: usually accounts for up to 80% of migraines.
Migraine with aura: typically accounts for up to 15% of migraines.

► Causes of Migraine Headaches

Studies show that there is a familial nature in migraine (in many studies, it has been found that 50% of cases have a family history).
Estrogen increases in women during the reproductive period and fluctuates during the menstrual cycle; it has been observed that the characteristics, intensity, and frequency of pain vary according to estrogen levels.
Light, loud noise, smells (food, pollen …), stress, head trauma, stimulants, and changes in weather are also factors that trigger migraines.

►Symptoms of Migraine headache

Aura (warning signs of an attack) are symptoms that occur just before or at the onset of a migraine headache. They typically develop gradually over a period of no more than one hour and then completely disappear. These symptoms can include visual disturbances (such as flashes of light or sparkling spots, loss of vision, etc.), sensory disturbances (like tingling or numbness), or motor issues (such as weakness on one side of the body).

Migraine related to the basilar artery: in which headaches are accompanied by symptoms such as: unsteadiness, vertigo, tinnitus, vomiting, nausea, but without movement disorders.
Cyclic syndrome in children often occurs before migraines and includes cyclic vomiting (sometimes with episodes of severe vomiting), abdominal pain related to migraines (abdominal pain, often accompanied by nausea), and benign paroxysmal vertigo in children (occasionally experiencing dizziness).
Retinal migraine is associated with migraine accompanied by visual disturbances, sometimes resulting in temporary vision loss in one eye.

Headaches change from moderate to severe, and the episodes last from 4 hours to several days, often alleviated by sleep. The pain is usually unilateral but can be bilateral, most commonly occurring in the frontotemporal region and often described as throbbing or sharp pain.

► Complications of Migraine Headache

If migraine headaches persist and the patient does not receive timely intervention, it will lead to complications such as headache accompanied by seizures or brain damage, even migrainous infarction.

The use of relief medications (pain relievers,...), preventive treatment drugs can lead to drug dependence (especially are pain relievers that contain opioids), and increase toxicity to the liver, kidneys,….

Therefore, when there are prolonged migraine attacks, patients need to be examined and treated in neurology specialties to have intervention for the disease promptly, reduce the severity of migraines, and prevent the disease from recurring.

At American International Hospital (AIH), the neurology clinic is equipped with modern equipments and apparatuses that support the diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of various neurological disorders, including:

Headache disorders
Vestibular disorders
Sleep disorders
Neurasthenia
Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders, neuromuscular diseases
Peripheral neuropathy
Stroke, post-stroke sequelae, stroke screening
Epilepsy

To schedule an appointment for examination and treatment of neurological disorders, please schedule your appointment online via the Fanpage https://m.me/aih.com.vn or contact the Hotline (028) 3910 9999.

► Some preventive measures for migraine headaches

To prevent migraine headaches, the neurologist at AIH recommends:

Sleep for 7 to 8 hours each day to allow your body time to recover.
Avoid prolonged stress and fatigue; take reasonable breaks.
Have a reasonable work and living plan.
Avoid fatigue and stress in work and life because these are among the factors that can easily trigger illness, as well as exacerbate the condition of those already suffering from headaches.
Have a scientific diet: do not consume alcohols, beers, cigarette….
Exercise helps regulate and balance the body.
Limit or avoid taking contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and vasodilators.
Limit exposure in noisy environments, areas with bright lights, and restrict strong-smelling substances.

--------------------

For checkup and consultation at AIH:

☎ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999

🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn

📍Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang street) No.6 Bac Nam 3 street, An Phu ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh city.