About Migraine
Chopin, Charles Darwin, Freud, Tolstoy, Van Gogh, Elvis – some of the greatest achievers of all time had one thing in common, they were Migraineurs.
Migraine as a medical condition has existed for a long time. In fact it’s history can be traced back to 3000BC in Mesopotamia when it was described by a Turkish physician in the first century AD. Throughout medieval times, various descriptions seemed to fit the symptoms we now know as migraine.
The word “Migraine” is derived from the Greek “hemi crania” or “half-skull”, a description of the major symptom, the one-sided headache.
Yet despite its long history the condition of migraine is still misunderstood. Often considered as “just a headache”? Migrainuers are still labelled “neurotic”.
Here in New Zealand, this lack of awareness among sufferers and the community as a whole, prompted Migraine Awareness – the start of NZMSSG in 1995.
It is only when you’ re actually aware that you may be a Migraineur, that you can begin to research the various treatments and options now available.
Your first step in becoming migraine aware is to understand the nature of migraine. The causes, symptoms and effects can vary between sufferers. Also note that there are up to 28 different types of Migraine Headaches.
Understanding the difference between headache and migraine
Headaches that occur every day are not usually migraines, these are usually classed as DCH (Daily Chronic Headache) or Rebound Headache.There are periods between each attack when you will have no symptoms. Migraines may occur as often as several times a week or as little as once or twice a year.
Migraine tends to be misused as another term for headache, when in fact it covers a specific type of condition with associated symptoms. With or without headache e.g. aura, nausea vomiting etc.
Up to half the people who have migraines get a “warning” that an attack is coming. They may feel irritable or withdrawn; crave certain foods; yawn a lot or have trouble talking. This can develop slowly over a 24 hour period before a migraine attack.
“Migraine with Aura”
“Migraine with Aura” is when a sufferer experiencess one or a combination of the following. Flashing lights, jagged outlines, blind spots, numbness or tingling in the arm or the side of the face and difficulty focusing. It may also include loss of speech, feelings of weakness or confusion. Sufferers usually experience a combination of these symptoms.
The pain is usually on one side of the head, pulsating and severe with attacks lasting 4-72 hours. It can be made worse by normal physical activity and often the sufferer experiences nausea and vomiting. Many cannot tolerate strong light, noise, or movement.
“Migraine without Aura”
“Migraine without Aura” does not have the same warning signs before an attack. However it will usually include the symptoms of headache severity over a length of time, nausea, and vomiting. Migraine without aura accounts for about 80% of migraine attacks. Many types of migraine have been identified, although these two are the most common.
After the migraine has gone most people feel washed out for a day or so, with tired aching muscles. Others may feel relaxed and happy.
What causes Migraine?
Although migraine is a very common illness, the underlying cause is still unclear. Most Migraineurs have a family history, so inherited factors are known to be important.
It is believed that migraine occurs because of a chemical imbalance within the brain. Neuro-transmiters (chemical messages from the nerve cells) are activated due to some factor thats acts as the initial trigger. The resulting pain and visual disturbances result from the pressure of inflames and dilated blood vessels tothe head.
These changes in the blood vessels may affect the flow of blood to the brain, and this may be responsible for some of the symptoms.
While migraine can be very severe and extremely frightening for sufferers, it does not normally signify any serious underlying condition.
Become more aware of your symptoms
- Do you get some kind of warning before the headache starts?
- Is the headache usually on one side of the head?
- Is it a throbbing or pulsating pain?
- Do ever feel nauseous or vomit?
- Do you experience visual disturbances during an attack? (e.g. flashing lights, zigzags)
- Do you dislike noise and light during and attack?
- Do you find that your headache gets worse if you move?
- How long does your headache usually last?
- 1-2 Hours
- 4 hours
- 1 day
- Up to 3 Days
- over 3 days
If your headache lasts between 4 hour and 3 days and you’ve answered “yes” to most of the questions above it is probable that your headache may be a migraine. Formal diagnosis of migraine headache should be made by your doctor.
