Here we are going to share information on a topic: “what is migraine headache feel like” An expert from Mayo Clinic clarifies Finding out about migraine disorders might be scary. To help you better comprehend this illness, Mayo Clinic neurologist Amaal Starling, M.D., talks you through the facts, the questions, and the answers.
what is migraine headache feel like
A migraine is a type of headache that often affects one side of the head and can cause excruciating, throbbing pain or a pulsating sensation. Severe light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting are frequently present. The pain from migraine attacks can be excruciating, interfering with everyday tasks for hours or even days at a time.
Some patients experience an aura, which is a warning symptom, either before or together with their headache. A person may have visual disturbances like blind spots or light flashes, as well as non-visual disturbances like tingling in one arm or leg, difficulty speaking, or tingling on one side of the face.
Certain migraines can be less unpleasant and prevented with the use of medications. The appropriate medications, along with lifestyle modifications and self-help techniques, may be helpful.
Symptoms of migraine
Four stages of migraine progression can occur in children and teenagers as well as adults: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. Not every migraine sufferer experiences each stage.
Prodrome
You may observe little alterations one or two days prior to a migraine that indicate an impending headache, such as:
- Constipation.
- Shifts in mood, from pleasure to sadness.
- Yearning for food.
- Stiffness in the neck.
- Increased need to pee.
- Retaining fluid.
- Regular yawning.
Aura
Some individuals may have an aura either prior to or during a migraine. Reversible neurological symptoms include auras. Though they might also involve other disturbances, they are typically visual. Every symptom typically starts out mildly, intensifies over a few minutes, and lasts for up to an hour.
Auras caused by migraines include:
- Observations of different forms, bright spots, or bursts of light are examples of Visual phenomena.
- Loss of vision.
- Sensations of pins and needles in the leg or arm.
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body or in the face.
- Having trouble speaking.
Attack
An untreated migraine often lasts four to seventy-two hours. Each has migraines at different frequencies. A migraine may happen infrequently or multiple times per month.
A migraine may cause you to experience:
- Usually one side of the head hurts, but it can happen on both.
- Pain that pulses or throbs.
- Sensitivity to touch, smell, light, and sound occasionally.
- Vomiting as well as nausea.
Post-drome
It’s possible to feel exhausted, disoriented, and washed out for up to a day following a migraine attack. A few claim to feel ecstatic. A sudden movement of the head could momentarily reactivate the pain.
Migraine triggers list
There are several things that might cause migraines, such as:
Women’s hormonal fluctuations: Many women seem to experience headaches before or during menstruation, during pregnancy, and throughout menopause, which are all associated with fluctuations in oestrogen.
Oral contraceptives are one example of a hormonal medicine that can exacerbate migraines. However, some women report that using these drugs reduces the frequency of their migraines.
Drinks: They include excessive caffeine intake, such as from coffee, and alcohol, particularly from wine.
Stress: Migraines can be brought on by stress at work or at home.
Sensory inputs: Both loud noises and bright, flashing lights can cause migraines. Some people have migraines when they are around strong fragrances, such as paint thinner, perfume, secondhand smoke, and others.
Sleep patterns vary: For certain people, sleep deprivation or excessive sleep can be the cause of migraines.
Strain on the body: Sex and other forms of intense physical activity can cause migraines.
The weather shifts: A migraine may be brought on by a change in the weather or barometric pressure.
Medications: Migraines can be made worse by oral contraceptives and vasodilators like nitroglycerin.
Foods: Foods that are processed, salty, and aged cheeses may cause migraines. Likewise, missing meals might.
Additives in food: These include the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is present in many foods, and the sweetener aspartame.
Factors at risk
There are several variables that increase your risk of migraines, such as:
Background in the family: You have a higher likelihood of getting migraines if you have family members who suffer from them.
Age: Although they can start at any age, adolescents are typically the first to experience them. The intensity and frequency of migraines often peak in your 30s and then steadily decline over the ensuing decades.
Sex: Migraine sufferers are three times more likely to be female than male.
Alterations in hormones: For women who suffer from migraines, the headaches may start right before or right after the menstrual cycle begins. Additionally, they could alter with menopause or pregnancy. Following menopause, migraines usually get better.
10 home remedies for migraine relief and prevention
Applying acupressure
Applying pressure to certain body parts is known as acupressure. Pain relief is the goal of activating these sites.Acupressure can be applied by trained professionals or self-applied by individuals at home. Before starting, it is beneficial to adhere to professional guidance.
The LI-4 point, located between the base of the left thumb and the index finger, is a helpful acupressure point for headaches. Headache discomfort may be relieved by applying strong, but not painful, circular pressure to the LI-4 point with the opposite hand for five minutes.
Diet
It’s possible that making dietary changes can help someone avoid migraine attacks. This is due to the fact that some meals might trigger migraines in certain individuals.
Typical foods that can cause migraines include the following:
- Alcohol
- Processed foods
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
By keeping a symptom journal and searching for patterns, people might attempt to discover possible migraine causes.
Essential oils
Stress, anxiety, and headaches may be lessened with the use of lavender essential oil. Ten different types of essential oils have components that may help reduce migraine symptoms, according to a 2021 research review. These consist of basil, chamomile, peppermint, and lavender.
These findings seem to be supported by certain clinical investigations. 144 participants in a 2020 triple-blind experiment discovered that using basil oil topically decreased migraine attack frequency and pain intensity. To learn more about which essential oils are most effective and how to use them, more clinical trials are needed.
Ginger
A review for 2021 Trusted Three clinical trials’ worth of evidence suggested that ginger powder was both safe and efficient in the treatment of migraineurs. After two hours, it dramatically decreased pain compared to the control groups. Moreover, ginger aids in the relief of nausea and vomiting. Although there could be advantages to ginger, there is a chance of interactions and adverse consequences. People using warfarin, for instance, may be more vulnerable. Reliable Blotting Source. Consult a physician before attempting it.
Control of stress
For seven out of ten migraineurs, stress is the trigger for their symptoms. It might even start a vicious cycle where stress increases migraine pain, which in turn causes more migraines.
It is best to avoid situations that can cause stress whenever feasible. It could be beneficial to find outlets like journaling, working out, and meditation. Taking a warm bath, listening to music, or using breathing exercises are some more stress-reduction tactics. Classes on stress management are beneficial to certain people.
Yoga
In an earlier 2014 investigation, regular yoga practice was contrasted with traditional migraine treatment by Trusted Source. The group that practiced yoga saw more relief than the group that only received conventional treatment, according to the report. For a total of six weeks, participants practiced yoga five days a week.
According to a reliable source, practicing yoga for a short while lessened the symptoms of clinical migraines. Additionally, it reduced stress, worry, and depression—all of which can exacerbate episodes.
Biofeedback treatment
In biofeedback therapy, normally unconscious body systems are taught to be consciously controlled. For instance, one could learn how to ease their tense muscles. Users are assisted in identifying tense muscles by tiny equipment that receives input from sensors on the targeted muscles and provides real-time feedback regarding muscle tension.
It may be possible to target the muscles that are causing migraine symptoms by using sensors along the forehead, jawline, or shoulder trapezius muscles.
Acupuncture
In order to achieve certain results, an acupuncturist will inject needles into predetermined body parts. That reminds me of acupressure. A comprehensive systematic review conducted in 2020 examined research on the efficacy of acupuncture in treating migraines. The results of the study indicated that acupuncture was a secure and reliable kind of treatment for migraineurs.
They did concede, though, that a large number of the studies were of poor quality and that additional high-quality research is required. Find a licenced, registered acupuncturist if you’re interested in giving it a try.
Massage
The neck and shoulder muscles can be massaged to help release tension and reduce migraine symptoms. Additionally, massage may lessen stress. A massage from a professional may be beneficial. If you’re interested in self-massaging for migraines, try rolling a clean tennis ball around your shoulders and back while leaning against a wall.
Magnesium
Menstrual migraine headaches or migraine auras may be brought on by a magnesium shortage.
Studies have indicated that, for certain individuals, supplementing with magnesium may help lower the frequency of episodes. Before using this product, see a physician, especially if you have any other health conditions.
Conclusion
So, this is how the topic “what is migraine headache feel like” is addressed. In conclusion, describing what a migraine headache feels like is challenging due to its subjective nature. Individuals often convey intense throbbing pain, accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and sometimes visual disturbances. The varied experiences highlight the complexity of migraines, underscoring the need for personalized approaches to manage and alleviate this debilitating condition.