Migraines are not the same as headaches
Question: I just missed work for the third time this year because of a terrible headache. My coworkers have told me to get treated for migraines. How are migraines different from ordinary headaches? Are they preventable?
Answer: When most people hear the term “migraine,” they usually think of a very painful headache. But not all bad headaches are migraines.
The term “migraine” refers to a specific type of headache characterized by a throbbing, sharp pain that usually affects one side of the head. Other symptoms of migraines are nausea, vomiting and muscle tension. Bright lights, loud noises and certain smells can make a migraine worse.
The pain experienced during migraines varies from person to person. Migraines sometimes start off with visual disturbances known as auras. A migraine sufferer, for example, may see flashing zigzag lines or blank spots. Migraines with auras are called classic migraines, and those without are called common migraines.
If your headaches are bad enough to keep you out of work, you should get a medical evaluation. But know that diagnosing migraines can be tricky. There are no blood tests for them, and they can’t be detected on a CT scan or an MRI.
What causes migraines is something of a mystery. For many years, scientists believed that migraine headaches originated with the blood vessels that supply the brain. Now, many experts believe that migraines originate in the brain itself.
While the cause of a migraine is unclear, its numerous triggers are well-documented. The most common triggers are stress, missing meals, lack of sleep, certain odors, alcohol and some foods. Many women have menstrual migraines associated with the drop in estrogen levels in the days just before and after menstrual bleeding begins. Not surprisingly, every person has different triggers.
Migraine sufferers once had no choice but to take refuge in a dark, quiet place and wait out the pain. Now, many people can cut a migraine short by taking a common pain reliever like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). These work best if you take a full dose at the first hint of a migraine.
Other patients get relief by using a prescription triptan drug, a class that includes eletriptan (Relpax), sumatriptan (Imitrex) and zolmitriptan (Zomig).
The best way to prevent migraines is to identify your triggers and avoid them. Sticking with a regular, stress-reducing schedule that includes a full night’s rest, healthy meals and exercise can make a big difference. In fact, anything that reduces stress – yoga, meditation, a relaxing bath – can help.
If you experience particularly severe or frequent migraines, it may be wise to look at prevention therapy, which normally involves taking daily medication.
The drugs most commonly given to migraine sufferers are beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, calcium-channel blockers and anticonvulsants. All of these drugs have side effects, so they should be taken at low doses and only if migraines are severe and frequent.
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