Migraine is a neurogical disorder characterized by severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, visual disturbances and increased sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Women are three times more susceptible to migraines than men.

The nature of a migraine headache:

A migraine headache is pulsating in nature and only affects one side of the head but can spread to the other side as well. It lasts from 4- 72 hours. The symptoms related to migraine are nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Aura symptoms can also accompany a migraine attack. These include strange visual sensations and unpleasant smells.

Causes of migraine:

No exact cause of migraine is known but a number of researchers argue that it is the outcome of disturbances in theserotonergic control system. Genetic factors have also been linked to migraine headache.

Treatment:

Migraine is treated with symptom specific medications like painkillers for headache and anti-emetics for nausea. There are also some specific anti- migraine medicines which can be used for treatment of migraine. If the condition is severe and quite frequent then preventive medication should be taken.

Progression of a migraine attack:

Migraine is divided into four phases-

Prodrome phase: This is when the early symptoms of the disease are seen and the development of the condition is prominent. Symptoms marking this stage are excessive sleepiness, changes in mood, irritability, depression, fatigue, euphoria and craving for specific foods.

Aura: This phase occurs just before the migraine peaks. It usually lasts for about 5 to 20 minutes before the onset of a full blast headache and subsides once the headache begins. Aura symptoms comprise of visual distortions, sensation of pins and needles pricking the hands and arms or nose area, lips and tongue.

Pain: This the actual phase where the headache pain is experienced.

Postdrome phase: This is the final phase of the migraine attack accompanied by irritability, mood swings and fatigue.

Triggers of migraine:

Smoking: This applies to active as well as passive smokers and is one of the most common triggering factors of a migraine attack.

High stress level: Stress causes disturbance in the central nervous system and can cause migraine attack due to sudden rest taken after a strenuous period.

Irregular sleep patterns: Sleeping for a long time or for a short time are both precipitating factors of migraine.

Food routine: Your current diet might contain foods that are not suiting your body and acting as irritants to start a migraine. Therefore, it is suggested to have a regular intake of a balanced diet and eliminate tyramine rich foods, chocolates, processed meats and nuts from the diet.

Migraine prevention:

Diet: Processed and overcooked foods should be eliminated from the diet. Caffeine, red wine, dairy foods, nuts, processed meat and alcohol should be avoided as they contain certain chemical substances that might trigger a migraine.

Lifestyle changes: Increased stress levels, tension and fatigue are the main caused that trigger migraine. Thus, individuals should follow a lifestyle which includes regular exercise, intake of a balanced diet, time for recreation and regular sleeping pattern.