What is Migraine, and Why Do Some People Have It?

People without migraines would not know how painful an episode could be. Many people can get bad headaches during their lifetime, but migraine is not in that class. A migraine is different, characterised by an intense headache with nausea, sensitivity to sound or light, visual problems, general fatigue, and vomiting.

Migraines last longer; the duration could last for four hours and sometimes for three to four days. Although some people only get an occasional attack, for some people, the episodes could occur multiple times within a week. A migraine attack can happen without any symptoms, but some people experience some of the symptoms 24 hours before the head pain starts.

Types of migraine

Doctors use an international classification system to diagnose and treat migraine. The two main types are migraine without aura (common migraine) and migraine with aura (classic migraine).

Migraine aura

A migraine aura warns that a bad headache will soon occur. While it typically occurs before an attack, it can also happen during or after the episode. A migraine aura consists of various temporary neurological symptoms such as blurred vision, zigzag patterns on the central field of vision moving towards the edge, loss of half of the field of vision, coloured lines or spots, flashes of light, and blind spots. In addition, tingling sensations, loss of consciousness, stiff neck, dizziness, slurred speech, and numbness in the legs, arms, tongue, lips, or face are also aura symptoms.

Migraine without aura

In a migraine without aura, the person will not get any warning signs before the migraine attack. The attack duration could be from three hours to three days, mainly if it is not treated or the treatment is no longer effective. Thus, if you suffer from migraine, ensure that you always have your medication with you. You can have your prescription refilled through anytimedoctor.co.uk, and because you can order your migraine medication online, the process is more manageable, and the delivery is quicker.

Attacks of migraine without aura can occur several times a week, but in some cases, it only happens every few years. Still, it is something you should not ignore because it affects your daily routine. For example, you would not feel good if you have a throbbing headache on one side of your head, which is one of the symptoms of a migraine without aura. As a result, you might have difficulty climbing the stairs or walking. If the attack is severe, you might be unable to do any of your regular activities. Moreover, you may become very sensitive to smells, sound, or light and feel nauseous. Some people even vomit during an attack.

Migraine with aura

The migraine typically occurs with a warning sign, such as seeing flashing lights or blind spots. The aura can occur before the headache, but some people may also have the aura but not the headache. Auras usually build up in five minutes and can last for an hour before the headache starts. While auras often affect sight, they can also affect the person’s speech. Migraine with aura also has sub-types. Migraine with brainstem aura causes pain on both sides of the back of the head. A rare one is a hemiplegic migraine that can cause the individual to feel weakness on one side of their body. A retinal (ocular) migraine causes the person to see flashing lights or brief periods of blindness in one eye.

Treatment for migraine

It is vital to consult with a GP to get the proper treatment for migraine, as the disorder is complex, and the treatment will depend on the symptoms, frequency of attack, the severity of the attack, and the type of migraine. The most common medicines include painkillers specifically for migraine headaches (triptan), ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory), or paracetamol (analgesic).

You can manage your migraine by making a lifestyle change, taking the necessary medication, having the right vitamins and supplements, and avoiding the triggers that cause migraine attacks.