It’s estimated that around 10 million people around the ages of 15-69 suffer from migraines. Some people suffer from chronic migraines, meaning that you experience migraines at least 15 days per month. This can have an extreme impact on your life. Find out what a migraine is, and what triggers it!
What is a migraine?
A migraine feels very similar to a headache, but you will experience a throbbing pain on only one side of your head. With a general headache, the pain situates itself across the forehead instead. A migraine will have a pulsing sensation and is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea. It can last anywhere from a few hours to days and, in some cases, have a massive impact in your day-to-day life.
Chronic Migraines & Auras
Before migraine symptoms appear, many people experience warning signs that a migraine is about to occur. This is called an aura. It is a group of sensory, motor and speech symptoms and is commonly misinterpreted as either a seizure or stroke. An aura happens mostly before the headache-like pain begins and lasts anywhere between 10–60 minutes. However, it can also happen after you experience a migraine too.
Some aura symptoms that you might experience are:
- Seeing bright flashing dots, sparkles or lights
- Ringing in ears (tinnitus)
- Changes in speech
- Numb or tingling skin
- Blind spots in your vision
- Seeing wavy/jagged lines
- Temporary vision loss
What are the symptoms of a migraine?
A migraine often presents itself in various intensities. The most common symptom is a throbbing headache on one side of the head or pounding feeling. Here are some more symptoms:
- Sensitivity to light, smells or noise
- Nausea
- Pain in the face (similar to a sinus headache)
- Pain in the neck
- Facial pressure
- Watery eyes
Types of migraines and chronic migraines:
There are 3 main types of migraines. These are:
- Migraine without aura – no symptoms or warning signs
- Migraine with aura – various warning signs like seeing flashing dots
- Migraine aura without headache – also known as a silent migraine, may experience symptoms but no headache
How to treat chronic migraines
It can be a difficult process treating a migraine, as you may need to try a combination of medicines or lifestyle changes, or even both in some cases, to achieve some relief from migraine attacks and auras.
Some common medicines you can try are:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
A migraine occurs due to a deficiency in the enzyme called ‘diamine oxidase (DAO)’ located in the brain. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug works by blocking this enzyme’s function in the brain and can offer some relief for those with mild to moderate migraine attacks. However, it may not be as effective with those who suffer from severe migraines. Some examples of NSAID drugs are aspirin and ibuprofen.
Before taking these, you should talk to a healthcare professional such as a pharmacist to see if this is the best option for you. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe an NSAID alongside medicines called triptans. Certain groups of people who are, for example, dealing with asthma, have had previous allergic reactions to NSAIDs and those who are breastfeeding may be advised not to take NSAIDs.
Triptans
Triptans are a type of drug that is often prescribed to ease the symptoms of migraines or cluster headaches. Some types of it include sumatriptan and it is available in different forms such as tablets, a nasal pray or an injection. You use a triptan by taking or applying the medication as soon as migraine starts. It also works to relieve symptoms such as nausea or vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
Anti nausea/sickness medication
When people experience an aura or migraines, a common symptom endured is either feelings of being sick or vomiting, which can be an unsettling and infuriating process for many. An anti nausea or sickness medication can help aid these issues and settle the stomach. It isn’t a fix for reducing pain in a migraine attack, but it can make an attack less uncomfortable.
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