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Migraine is more than merely a severe headache. Migraine is actually a neurological disorder with symptoms including nausea and/or vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or sound, chills, facial swelling, tenderness of the scalp, and hallucinations. In addition, according to the Journal of American Medical Association online, migrainous stroke may account for up to 19% of all strokes, which means that migraine may be associated with approximately 10,000 strokes annually. Some studies also suggest that migraine suffers are predisposed to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
The migraine is believed to be hereditary and tends to show up in people for the first time between the ages of 10 and 30. It is reported that symptoms become less intense in people over the age of 50. Approximately 75% of sufferers are female, and many women have migraine symptoms only in conjunction with their menstrual cycles. Duration of migraine attacks varies. Some attacks last for several hours, while others last for days. While the frequency of the attacks also vary, on average sufferers report one to three attacks per month.
Some victims of migraine experience warning signs prior to onset. These warning signs, or aural triggers, include visual, auditory or other sensory or physical occurrences shortly before the pain begins. Other triggers occur hours or even days before the attack, and these are known as prodromes. Some aural triggers are: blurred or lost vision, and seeing flashing lights or floaters; numbness, hallucinations, and loss or difficulty of speech. Prodomres include excessive yawning, fatigue, mood changes, food cravings, and oversensitivity to light, sound, touch, and/or odor. (Once my prodrome was a tic in my right eye. I had the tic for nearly a week and ended up with a migraine that lasted for three days.)
The severities of migraine symptoms are disruptive of a migraine sufferer's life as well as the lives of her family, friends and business associates. If you have been diagnosed with migraine, or if you believe you have migraine—even if the attacks are only occasional—see your doctor. Migraine pain can't usually be treated with over the counter medications, and you need medications specifically prescribed to address your symptoms and needs.
Please check with your doctor for more information.
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