Migraine headache
What is a migraine headache? What causes it? What does it feel like? and how do you treat it?
Neurologists believe that a migraine is caused by changes to blood flow to the brain, but genetics can also impact whether you get migraines.
Each individual migraine sufferer will have a slight differentiation in their migraine presentation, for example, their triggers and symptoms they experience.
Migraine triggers
- Lack of sleep or over sleeping
- Fatigue
- Emotional stress
- Sensory triggers (flashing lights, Loud noises, strong smells)
- Dietary triggers (missing a meal, dairy, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol)
Symptoms of a migraine
- Migraines most often start in the evening or during sleep or after you have woken up.
- They are commonly preceded by fatigue, emotional stress, depression, feelings of sluggishness, irritability or restlessness.
- Migraines may begin with an aura, which may present as a halo, flashing lights, zig zag lines or temporary loss of vision.
- Some migraine sufferers experience numbness or tingling in their head, face or hands on the same side that they feel the migraine.
- Migraines are often felt on one side of the head, either around the eye or temple and can spread along the one side of the head, into the face and to the back of the head.
- Migraines can feel like a severe, constant throbbing, pulsating pain with no relief.
- Nausea and vomiting can be common
- Watering or drooping of your eye on the side of the pain
- Runny nose and congestion
Migraine treatment
It is important to pick up the early signs of an upcoming migraine early in order to prevent the onset. Chiropractic treatment can aid in reducing the symptoms of a migraine. Migraine cocktails can also help when you have a migraine (speak to your medical doctor)
Prevention
If you are a frequent migraine sufferer, it is important that you are aware of the symptoms in order to prevent it.
Ways of prevention:
- Receive regular chiropractic care to minimize muscular spasm and prevent locking up of spinal facets, ensuring optimal health of spinal joints and preventing nerve interference
- Manage and be aware of your stress levels
- Awareness of migraine triggers
- Preventative medication can also assist (discuss with your medical doctor)
