A migraine is a severe pain that can significantly affect an individual's daily life.

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Migraine is a neurological condition characterized by severe attacks of pain in the head accompanied by other symptoms of varying severity.

Headaches, including migraines, affect approximately 40% of the global population, reaching a total of approximately 3.1 billion people in 2021.

The highest prevalence of migraine was observed in individuals aged 18 to 44 years, with the prevalence decreasing with age.

What is the difference between migraine and regular headache?

Migraine is not just an ordinary headache. 

Here are some of the main differences between migraines and regular headaches:

• Severity and Duration: A regular headache usually lasts for a few hours, while a migraine may last for several hours to days.
• Accompanying symptoms: Unlike traditional headaches, migraines are often accompanied by a variety of symptoms, which may include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Sensitivity to light (Photophobia).
• Sensitivity to sound or phobia of noise (Phonophobia).

• Aura, or what is called an aura, is a group of warning signs that precede a migraine attack, and do not accompany a regular headache.

Migraines may also significantly disrupt daily activities and require individuals to seek bed rest until symptoms subside.

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Causes of migraines

Migraines are primarily caused by abnormal brain activity caused by various factors. Most notable:

• Hormonal changes: Many women experience migraines in conjunction with their menstrual cycle. Additionally, some women may find that their migraines improve or worsen during pregnancy or post-menopause.
• Environmental factors, which are:

• Flashing lights or flashing screens.
• Loud sounds or strong smells.
• Changes in weather or atmospheric pressure.
• Excessive heat or high humidity.
• Exposure to cigarette smoke.

• Lifestyle choices. These factors may include:

• Lack of sleep or changes in sleeping pattern.
• Skipping meals or fasting.
• Dehydration or excessive caffeine intake.
• Stress or emotional disturbances and crises.
• Extreme physical exertion.

• Food triggers: Some foods and drinks are linked to triggering migraine attacks, most notably:

• Cheeses, such as blue cheese or cheddar.
• Chocolate and cocoa.
• Sodium glutamate (MSG) often found in processed foods.
• Foods rich in nitrates, such as processed meats and sausages.
• Acidic fruits, such as: bananas and avocados.
• Alcohol.

Although triggers may vary from person to person, understanding migraine triggers may help individuals manage symptoms and avoid future attacks. 

Learn about: Learn about the symptoms of cluster headaches

Causes of recurrent migraines in women

Research indicates a greater prevalence of migraines in women compared to men, as hormonal fluctuations greatly affect the frequency of this type of headache in women.

Headaches may increase during menstrual periods due to changes in hormone levels, especially a decrease in estrogen levels.

Some hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills or hormonal IUDs, trigger migraine attacks and may affect their severity and frequency.

 Pregnancy can affect migraines in various ways, and the main challenge lies in the fact that not all painkillers are safe for pregnant women and the inability to relieve pain permanently and effectively. 

Therefore, it is essential that pregnant women with migraines consult with their healthcare providers to choose safe and effective treatment options.

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What are the symptoms of migraine?

Migraine symptoms vary from person to person and even from one attack to another in the same person. 

Here are some of the main headache symptoms to watch for:

• Pain in the head: Migraine pain is usually described as sharp and throbbing.
• Aura: Some individuals experience neurological and sensory symptoms before or during migraine attacks. 
• Visual disturbances, such as seeing blind spots, flashing lights, or squiggly lines. 
• Sensory symptoms, such as numbness or tingling in the face and extremities or muscle weakness.
• Difficulty speaking or finding words.
• Temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
• Nausea and vomiting: They are common symptoms of migraines.
• Sensitivity to light and sound: Exposure to bright lights or loud sounds can worsen migraine symptoms and may necessitate seeking a dark, quiet environment until the attack passes.

In addition to the main symptoms mentioned above, migraines can be accompanied by other symptoms, Including:

• Exhaustion and fatigue.
• Dizziness or difficulty concentrating.
• Increased urination or thirst.
• Neck stiffness or muscle tension.

You can also find out: Learn the signs and causes of migraines

When are migraines dangerous?

While migraines are often not life-threatening, there are some warning signs that indicate a more serious condition. 

Here are some of these warning signs:

• Headache that comes suddenly without warning.
• Severe headache that comes on suddenly and reaches maximum pain in seconds to minutes. 

This type of headache can indicate a medical emergency, such as a brain hemorrhage.

If you have never had a migraine before and suddenly develop severe head pain, it is important to consult a health care professional.

Migraine is a complex neurological condition that requires understanding the causes, symptoms and potential risks associated with it for effective management and prompt medical intervention. 

Remember, you don't need to face migraines alone. Book your appointment now.

FAQs

How do you know if you have a migraine or sinus headache?

The symptoms of migraines and sinus headaches are very similar, which sometimes makes it difficult to differentiate between them, but there are key differences, such as:

• The nature of the pain is pulsating, throbbing, and severe, and increases with movement in the case of a migraine, while the pain is in the form of deep and continuous pressure, which increases with bending forward in the case of sinusitis. 
• Location of pain: Mostly one side of the head in the case of migraines, while it is concentrated in the forehead, cheeks, around the eyes, and the bridge of the nose in the case of sinuses.
• Respiratory symptoms: Sinus headaches are always accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, and possibly fever.
• Sensitivity to light and sound is very common in migraines.
• Nausea and vomiting are very common in migraine.
• In the case of migraines, pre-aura symptoms appear, which are visual problems, numbness, or difficulty speaking.

How does a migraine patient feel?

 Migraine symptoms develop in stages, and the patient feels the following at the different stages of the attack:

1. The prodromal stage, which precedes the actual headache by a day or two, and some may not notice it and includes:

• Mood changes. 
• Extreme exhaustion and fatigue. 
• Stiffness in the neck. 
• Food cravings. 
• And frequent yawning. 
• Fluid retention. 
• And increased urination. 
• Mild sensitivity to light, sound or smells.

2. Aura stage: This stage occurs in about a third of people with migraines, and usually precedes the headache by a few minutes or an hour, and lasts for less than an hour. It consists of temporary neurological symptoms, such as:

•  Seeing flashes of light or squiggly lines. 
• The appearance of blind spots or partial loss of vision. 
• Blurred vision or blurry vision. 
•  Numbness or tingling on one side of the face, arm, or leg
• Weakness or numbness in part of the body.
• Difficulty speaking.
•  Ringing in the ear.
•  dizziness.
•  Muscle weakness.

3. The headache stage, which is the most painful stage, includes:

•  Severe, pulsating, or throbbing pain, described as a pounding in the head, usually on one side of the head but can spread to the other side or involve the entire head.
• The pain worsens with head movement, physical activity, or even coughing or sneezing.
• Nausea and vomiting are very common symptoms, and can be severe.
• Extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and some smells. 
• Feeling dizzy or faint.
• Pain in the neck or shoulders.
• Paleness or sweating.
• Pain in or around the eye area.

How many days does a migraine last?

A migraine attack can last from 4 hours to 72 hours if left untreated, as each stage has its own duration. The prodrome stage lasts a day or two, while the aura stage lasts from 5 to 60 minutes. The actual headache stage lasts from 4 to 72 hours. The patient may feel tired and exhausted for up to 24 hours after the headache ends.

Medical sources

This information was based on:

webmd

temple health