Is it a migraine attack? Why many people fail to recognise symptoms and don’t know what triggers them

When the headaches started, 26-year-old Saisha Singh was told she spends a little more time on screen. Her eyes were examined, she was given an anti-anxiety pill and even feared a diagnosis of a brain tumor that could eventually lead to a migraine. Migraines can be debilitating and those who suffer from them alone know the struggle. Yes, ‘no one died of migraine’ but the way it cripples you can be painful.

Simply put, a migraine is a condition in which the sensitive nerves in the head become more sensitive which leads to recurrent headaches. It affects one in five women and one in twenty men worldwide. In 35% of cases, migraines have a significant family history. It usually starts between the ages of 15 and 25 and decreases after a few years (in most cases by the age of 40).

According to Dr. Narendra Nath Jena, Director and Head, Accident and Emergency Medicine, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Center, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, “There is no established cause for migraine, although it is thought to be due to abnormal brain activity that interferes. Nerve signals, neurotransmitters and blood vessels in the brain. Hormonal, mental, physical, nutritional, environmental and pharmaceutical factors have been cited as possible causes of migraine. Some women get migraines during their menstrual period, probably due to changes in hormone levels, such as estrogen. ”

How to identify migraine


Dr. Vivek Nambiar, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Head of the Department of Stroke, Amrita Hospital, Kochi shared some common and complex migraines:

Common Migraine: It is the most common migraine. Headache, which usually occurs on one side of the forehead, is a throbbing pain that starts and continues slowly and reaches its maximum intensity and then gradually stops. Sometimes there is a feeling of nausea, vomiting and then it subsides by resting or sleeping for some time and many people need painkillers to get relief from it. It usually lasts from a few hours to 2 to 3 days.

But if a headache persists for more than 3-4 consecutive days, then we need to reconsider the diagnosis of migraine. Thus, it is a common type of migraine.

Migraine with Ava (Classic Migraine): In the case of a classic migraine, migraine attacks often begin with some strange sensation, especially a visual disturbance called aura. Patients may see black dots or strange light moving from one side to the other in their visual field. Occasionally, there may be a temporary loss of vision in one eye or partial loss of vision in both eyes. The patient gradually recovers from these disturbances but a throbbing headache on one side of the head is followed by an actual migraine attack. Gradually the severity of the headache will gradually increase and gradually decrease. Classic migraines are caused by changes in the nerve endings in the brain and nerve secretions in the fifth supply cranial vault.

There are some clinical links between stroke and migraine. People with migraine (classic migraine) including Ora People have a slightly higher risk of stroke than people with normal migraines.

Complicated migraine:

Hemiplegic migraine: A patient with hemiplegic migraine experiences headaches with weakness in one arm or leg on one side of the body. Although this condition mimics a stroke, the patient usually recovers within 24 hours.

Retinal migraine is a type of migraine that can cause complete loss of vision for a few minutes.

Bacillus migraine: This condition may mimic the symptoms of epilepsy or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Patients with bacillary migraine may lose consciousness.

When a complex migraine first occurs, it can be difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone because they mimic the symptoms of a stroke or epilepsy. It is therefore important to rule out the possibility of a fatal condition such as a stroke at the earliest onset of symptoms. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis after clinical examination and necessary investigations.

What triggers your migraine?


It is important to look at the causes of migraines. People need to observe the causes and try to eliminate them from their daily lives. “For example, migraines can start with your meal time so avoid missed foods as much as possible. Maintain a consistent sleep pattern. Furthermore, obesity does not cause migraines, but it does increase your chances of getting them. Physical exercise helps migraine patients control their symptoms. It is a well-known fact that stress is one of the most common causes of migraines, “said Dr. Nilesh Nadkarni, Consultant Neurologist, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune.

Adding to this, Dr. Jenna shares, “Migraines in women can be caused by changes in estrogen hormones, emotional arousal. Your brain produces hormones that trigger your “fight or flight” response when you are stressed. Anxiety, worry and fear can exacerbate migraines by adding tension. Salty, processed foods and some foods made from old cheese have been identified as triggers. Caffeine and alcohol are all stimulants. Some people get headaches due to bright light, loud noise or strong smell. Changes in overall air pressure are also significant for triggering migraines or there are too many medications in your daily routine. While you may not be able to avoid migraine triggers altogether, a number of basic measures can help prevent migraines, including getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and coping with stress.

Can migraines be an indicator of health problems?


Dr. Manish Mahajan, Senior Consultant – Neurology and Head – Neuroimmunology, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, explains, “Migraine significantly reduces the quality of health-related quality of life and is a common cause of absenteeism from work or school. While this may not be a life-threatening problem, it is a common cause of hospital visits in both the outpatient and emergency department. More recently, ara has been reported as an independent risk factor for migraine stroke, especially in those with cardiac defects – the Patent Foreman Oval (PFO) and women who smoke or take the Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP). So, obviously, uncontrolled and frequent migraine attacks are an important health issue that has financial and social implications that require optimal medical management with lifestyle changes. ”

“Studies show that migraines have nothing to do with other medical conditions,” she said. However, they have been linked to a variety of illnesses. ”

Stroke: There is no evidence that migraine causes a stroke or both occur at the same time.

Heart problems: Men with migraines are more likely to have a heart attack. Women who suffer from migraines are more likely to have heart disease, especially if they have epilepsy.

Hearing problems: Migraine increases your chances of hearing loss unexpectedly. It is a sudden, indescribable hearing loss that lasts for several days.

Fibromyalgia: Chronic pain, fatigue and other symptoms are common symptoms of this disease. Patients with fibromyalgia often have migraines. However, there is no evidence that having a migraine increases your chances of getting it.

Some FAQs

1. Are women more prone to migraines than men?
   Women are three times more likely to get them than men.
2. At what age is migraine more common?
   Migraine headaches can strike at any age, but you are more likely to have your first one in your twenties. Headaches are more severe in your 30’s and less so in later life.