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Do you recognize the sharp, pulsating pain that suddenly pierces your forehead and stays there for the rest of the day? Or do you often wake up with it the next morning as well?
Unfortunately, migraines are among the most common forms of headaches and are usually a direct consequence of the stress we live in. They can be triggered by lack of sleep, overexertion, or even an uncomfortable workstation. The good news is that the solution is entirely in your hands and will surely help you forget about headaches.
WHY IS THE PAIN SO SHARP?
The exact cause of migraines is still unknown, but the prevailing theory among specialists is that they result from compressed or damaged peripheral nerves around the head or neck. This is believed to disrupt the local blood supply to the nerves and abruptly alter neurotransmitter levels in the brain, thereby provoking severe pain. Migraine sufferers often have a more fragile central nervous system, which helps the onset of attacks. It has also been proved that migraines can be triggered by an abnormality in melatonin production.
Symptoms affect 12% of the world's population and can be so unbearable that they incapacitate individuals for days. Migraines are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and even loss of coordination. Statistics show that severe headaches are the third most common health problem among the adult population worldwide. For this reason, migraines are included in the European Classification of Diseases as a neurological disorder and are diagnosed following a thorough examination by a neurologist.
NOT EVERY HEADACHE IS A MIGRAINE
Headaches can occur for several reasons and in unusual ways, but it is difficult to mistake the symptoms of a migraine. In addition to the typical nausea and vomiting, you will also notice an extreme sensitivity to sounds, light, and different smells. Even the slightest touch can be associated with pain. Dizziness, numbness in the limbs or face, and loss of coordination are also common.
The pain itself can appear in various locations – in the eyes, on one side of the forehead, or it may encompass the entire head. It usually arises after waking up and intensifies throughout the day. Rarely does it occur in the evening or at night. The severity of attacks varies among individuals, with episodes lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days.
An interesting fact is that approximately 25% of sufferers experience an "aura" – warning signals that precede the migraine. The aura appears within a few hours before the onset of the headache and is characterized by visual, sensory, or motor disturbances. These may include temporary white spots in the visual field, tingling sensations in the limbs, and even speech impairments. Unfortunately, these warnings do not offer an opportunity to stop the headache or reduce its intensity.
WOMEN ARE MORE PREDISPOSED
Statistics show that women experience migraines three times more often than men. However, before puberty, the roles are reversed, with boys being more affected. After this stage, men rarely show migraine symptoms, while women predisposed to the condition suffer throughout their lives.
For instance, there is a type of headache that occurs only during menstruation, aptly named menstrual migraine. Individuals with retinal disorders may suffer from retinal migraines. Moreover, over half of those affected have a genetic predisposition to the condition, placing anyone with a family history of migraines at higher risk.
THERE IS NEVER JUST ONE CAUSE
Migraines are complex and often result from the accumulation of multiple triggering factors, such as specific foods and beverages, weather changes, lack of sleep, and stress. These factors can negatively affect the central nervous system, making it unstable, or irritate sensitive peripheral nerves, thus triggering headaches.
The most common migraine triggers include:
- Alcohol, regardless of the quantity.
- Weather changes.
- Oversleeping or sleep disturbances.
- Changes in schedule, stressful situations.
- Hunger and dehydration.
- Certain foods (caffeine, chocolate, nuts, processed meats, fats, etc.).
- Strong odors.
- My teeth are grinding at night.
- Menstruation.
AVOID COFFEE
One of the biggest misconceptions among people suffering from migraines is that a cup of coffee will relieve the pain. Caffeine is known for its stimulating effects and is even an active ingredient in many painkillers. However, it has no power over migraines – in fact, it can make them worse. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, but once its effect wears off, they dilate more than normal, irritating nearby nerves. In individuals with a sensitive nervous system, this can trigger a migraine attack. Additionally, caffeine affects sleep quality, impairing the body's recovery and making it more susceptible to external stimuli.
Another myth is that migraine pain can be alleviated with a glass of wine or whiskey before bed. While alcohol can relax the nervous system in some cases, it is a mistake to use it as a tranquilizer. Alcohol intake leads to sudden changes in serotonin levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter responsible for suppressing pain signals from the peripheral nervous system. When serotonin cannot perform properly, headaches can spiral out of control.
THE SOLUTION IS IN YOUR HANDS
For all conditions of unclear origin, such as migraines, specialists have a golden rule – fight the causes, not the disease itself. This means focusing more on ending migraine triggers rather than relying on painkillers. Of course, this rule does not apply to chronic daily migraines or cases of confirmed nerve damage.
Severe migraine attacks should be treated with medication or even surgery only after finding the underlying causes. These may include compressed peripheral nerves, metabolic abnormalities, food sensitivities, and more. Individual migraine episodes can be managed with pain relievers combined with anti-nausea medication. However, excessive use of painkillers should be avoided. Specialists recommend using analgesics only a few times per month and avoiding those holding caffeine, as they can lead to chronic headaches and medication-overuse migraines.
The surest way to end migraines from your daily life is to make lifestyle changes. Ensure you get enough sleep, avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, stay away from unhealthy foods, and opt for physical activity instead of strict diets. Work on keeping inner peace and actively combat stress. Yoga, Bowen therapy, modern massage techniques, and various relaxation methods can be extremely beneficial.
And remember occasional acute headaches two or three times a year, or at longer intervals, are not migraines. However, they may be a sign that you have stepped out of a healthy environment that provides comfort for both you and your nervous system.
