You’d be surprised to learn that a migraine is actually not a headache. A migraine is a neurological disorder that may accompany head pain, often called a “migraine attack”. The Arcephalgic or “Silent” Migraine is not accompanied by a headache. The pain that does follow some migraine attacks is typically intense and throbbing and often affects one side of the head. It may be accompanied by sensitivity to noise or light. The attack is often debilitating, resulting in loss of time from the job or compromised performance with daily tasks.
What goes on during an attack? Scientists have observed that migraine sufferers have “overly-excitable” neurons in the brain. When these neurons are triggered, they send sudden wave impulses across several areas of the brain at once, causing small arteries to dilate or swell. Pain happens when a sensory impulse travels to a higher brain center through one of the affected arteries.
There are many different types of migraines. The Classic Migraine With Aura sometimes begins with a visual illusion of light surrounding the edges of an object. The senses of hearing and smell may also be affected. Another more common migraine is the Rebound Headache that occurs when pain medication is overused. The body becomes resistant to the medication and requires increasingly higher doses. A rare type, the Hemiplegic Migraine, resembles the symptoms of a stroke, causing paralysis on one side of the body. That “sinus headache” may actually be a migraine. According to the American Headache Society, the majority of people who complain of a sinus pain are likely experiencing a migraine.
What can you do to find relief? First and foremost, try prevention! It’s a lot easier to manage a migraine when you’re not having an episode. Feverfew (tanacetum parthenium) is a member of the sunflower family and is known to prevent migraines. Several therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback and chiropractic procedures may also be effective in prevention and treatment. Get yourself a neurological work-up and become aware of what triggers your migraines. Emotional stress is a trigger for many of those who are afflicted.
This holiday season, avoid stressful situations and find healthy ways to be truly merry.
What goes on during an attack? Scientists have observed that migraine sufferers have “overly-excitable” neurons in the brain. When these neurons are triggered, they send sudden wave impulses across several areas of the brain at once, causing small arteries to dilate or swell. Pain happens when a sensory impulse travels to a higher brain center through one of the affected arteries.
There are many different types of migraines. The Classic Migraine With Aura sometimes begins with a visual illusion of light surrounding the edges of an object. The senses of hearing and smell may also be affected. Another more common migraine is the Rebound Headache that occurs when pain medication is overused. The body becomes resistant to the medication and requires increasingly higher doses. A rare type, the Hemiplegic Migraine, resembles the symptoms of a stroke, causing paralysis on one side of the body. That “sinus headache” may actually be a migraine. According to the American Headache Society, the majority of people who complain of a sinus pain are likely experiencing a migraine.
What can you do to find relief? First and foremost, try prevention! It’s a lot easier to manage a migraine when you’re not having an episode. Feverfew (tanacetum parthenium) is a member of the sunflower family and is known to prevent migraines. Several therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback and chiropractic procedures may also be effective in prevention and treatment. Get yourself a neurological work-up and become aware of what triggers your migraines. Emotional stress is a trigger for many of those who are afflicted.
This holiday season, avoid stressful situations and find healthy ways to be truly merry.
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