Those who have had a migraine at least once will never get it wrong. Migraine is a recurring, throbbing headache that affects one side of the head and can change side from attack to attack.
Who gets migraines?
The most common age range for the first outbreak is between 10 and 30 years. Meanwhile, sufferers mentioned that they often experienced cramping stomach pains and nausea in their childhood. Such people are also prone to travel and seasickness. Women often experience migraine attacks before menstruation.
Why do migraines affect the head?
The aura stage (neurological phenomena before the attack) is characterized by brief vasoconstriction in the brain (narrowing of blood vessels), whereas the pain stage begins with sudden vasodilation in the brain (relaxation of blood vessels). This is because serotonin (a chemical that sends messages between nerve cells) initially increases. During a migraine attack, serotonin levels drop rapidly, causing abnormally large blood vessels in the brain, leading to increased sensitivity to pain
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Classification of migraine headaches
The classification of migraines depends on the symptoms that cause them. Some types of migraine include: classic migraine (ophthalmic), generalized migraine, associated migraine, facial or facial migraine, status migraine, and complex migraine. Migraine forms can vary throughout life. Therefore, common childhood migraines can develop symptoms of ocular migraine or associated migraine.
Classic migraine (ophthalmic)
This form of migraine is characterized by the appearance of what is called an "aura," which begins 10 or 20 minutes before the headache and usually indicates visual disturbances. These include zigzag lines, blurred vision, distortion in the size or shape of objects. The aura is followed by a unilateral throbbing headache that develops gradually over 60-90 minutes and then subsides and disappears after 6 hours or so. Visual disturbances and pain usually affect different sides of the head, in rare cases on the same side. Headache is accompanied by nausea, photophobia, phonophobia, and irritability.
Common migraine, migraine without aura (formerly known as hemicrania simplex)
Migraines are often characterized by the absence of an aura or can have an atypical aura of mood swings (agitation or depression, anxiety, etc.). Headaches last longer than classic migraines, can occur at any time of the day and even wake up at night. Migraine headaches are usually frontotemporal. Severe throbbing pain develops within 2-5 hours. Initially it can be bilateral or it can start unilaterally and become common. Bright lights, loud noises, pungent odors when moving, and a low head position make the pain worse. The temporal artery enlarges during a migraine attack. Pressing on this area can reduce pain. It usually takes 8-12 hours to start, sometimes up to 24-48 hours.
Migraine with aura (associated, hemiplegia)
This form of migraine is characterized by neurological symptoms that (as opposed to classic migraine) persist during and after the pain stage. In severe cases, motor impairment develops in the arms and legs, sometimes accompanied by cramps and even loss of consciousness.
Migraine of the face or lower face
This term refers to migraine pain that covers half of the face and affects the nostrils, cheeks, jaw, and ears. Often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The throbbing pain may radiate to the temples and eye sockets. Migraine attacks can last up to 72 hours in severe cases.
Migraine status
Status migraineosus is a series of migraine attacks that follow one another and last for several days. This is often accompanied by persistent vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. Symptoms develop gradually. The general condition in question is characterized by weakness and sometimes impaired consciousness.
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