What are Migraines
If you’ve ever experienced the intense discomfort ignited by a migraine, then you know a migraine is more than a severe headache. According to the American Migraine Foundation, nearly 39 million Americans live with migraines, a low estimate as many people experience migraines but contribute their symptoms to a typical headache. June is National Migraine Month. It’s the perfect time to bring awareness to migraines so more individuals can know when to seek treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Migraines
Migraines are more than intense headaches. Migraines are a neurological disease that affects the brain and nerves. The signs and symptoms of migraines differ, but it generally involves pressure on the head. This pain can occur on one side or both sides of the head. Some people also experience pressure behind the eyes and cheeks. In addition to the pain, you may also have nausea, light sensitivity, or smell sensitivity.
Anyone can suffer a migraine, but they are most common among women and people with a family history of migraines. Most individuals start experiencing migraines in young adulthood, which can affect you well into your senior years. The exact cause of a migraine is unknown, but researchers believe genetics and environment play a significant role. Additional risk factors triggering a migraine include stress, hormonal changes in women, loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, not enough sleep, tobacco, caffeine, and fasting.
If you have headaches that cause you to miss activities or last several days, you may consider contacting a doctor to evaluate if you’re experiencing a migraine.
Migraine Phases
There are four main phases of a migraine.
- Prodrome: This stage is one or two days before the migraine hits. You may notice subtle changes in your body such as mood swings, food cravings, neck stiffness, constipation, or increased urination.
- Aura: This stage can occur before or during the migraine but typically include visual disturbances such as seeing bright spots or flashes of light. You may also experience difficulty speaking, weakness or numbness in the face or on one side of the body, or a prickling sensation in the arms or legs.
- Attack: The attack is a migraine, lasting anywhere from four hours to three days. This stage is when you’ll feel head pressure, light sensitivity, nausea, or vomiting.
- Postdrome: After a migraine, it’s common to feel physically weak or even confused. This drained sensation can last up to 24 hours.
Diagnosing and Treating Migraines
To diagnose migraines, your doctor will ask you about your medical history, family history, and symptoms. They’ll also tend to perform physical and neurological exams to rule out other conditions. These exams may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans.
Most treatment for migraines focuses on managing symptoms and preventing future attacks. Doctors often prescribe pain-relieving medications and preventive medications to aid in migraine symptoms. Depending on the severity and frequency of migraines, your doctor may also suggest blood pressure-lowering medications, antidepressants, or anti-seizure drugs.
Beyond medications, there are lifestyle changes you can make to soothe migraine discomfort, such as placing a cool cloth on your forehead, staying hydrated, and retreating to a dark and quiet room. Making sure you get quality sleep and exercise regularly can also decrease your chances of migraines or reduce the intensity of symptoms.
How Visiting Angels can Help
If you’re a senior adult who suffers from migraines or another neurological condition that makes it challenging to complete daily tasks, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our compassionate caregivers can assist with light housekeeping, meal preparations, medication reminders, transportation, mobility assistance, personal grooming, and other tasks. Our Gadsden office serves those in Blount, Marshall, and Etowah counties. If you’d like to learn more about our services, call 256.507.0083 or send us a message!