Have you or someone you love ever suffered from a migraine. It is not the most enjoyable thing. In fact, it is downright painful. If you’ve never had one, it can be hard to imagine what someone with a migraine is going through. The Huffington Post asked some of their readers to describe what a migraine feels like.
Darcee Mora wrote, “I believe they are all different. Mine begin when I lose peripheral vision and then become nauseous. My vision then returns only to have the pain start. It’s an intense pain that makes you just want to apply constant direct pressure to a specific part on your head to relieve it. It’s painful to even open your eyes. I hate when people say ‘you have a headache.’ No, it’s much more than that.”
Migraines are more than just a bad headache. They are like the super villain of headaches. Here we are going to talk about everything that you need to know about a migraine.
What are Migraines?
Migraines are actually quite common. There are over three million US cases documented each year. They affect people of all ages, starting from birth to death. Although it is less common to get migraines at a younger age.
There is no known cause for migraines; however, there are some triggers that can cause these painful headaches to occur. They include:
- Hormonal changes
- Certain foods and drinks
- Stress
- Exercise
- Lack of food
- Lack of sleep
- Environmental factors
Symptoms
As if shooting and unbearable pain in the head wasn’t enough, there are many other symptoms that often accompany migraines. They include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and loud noises
- Upset stomach
- Blurred vision
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Sensations of being very warm or cold
- Paleness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness.
People with migraines can also experience what is called an aura, zig zag lights in the visual field.
Treatments
There are some treatments. However, they won’t cure the migraine. Instead they just treat the symptoms. Some of these treatments include exercise, stress, getting enough sleep and fluids, eating regular meals and identifying and avoiding your triggers. Some people have even mentioned that acupuncture helps.
There are also some medicines that attempt to relieve and prevent some of the pains. If you are searching for medicine that alleviates the migraine, search for analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The preventative medications are beta blockers and anti-epileptic drugs.
Currently, there is no cure for migraines, but organizations such as the migraine trust are constantly researching and looking for a solution. In the meantime, people suffering with migraines can talk to their doctor. Together they will be able to find ways to alleviate the pain.
If you or someone you love is struggling with migraines, talk to us today. Our doctors will work with you to find the relief you need. Call Mountain Peaks at 801-724-9840. You can make an appointment with one of our award-winning doctors over-the-phone or walk-in.