Migraine headache...

The cause of Migraine Headache: A painful neurological condition marked by an intense and disabling occasional headache on one or both sides of the head, migraine can be considered the aftermath of serious head injuries, stroke and/or tumors. The recurring severity indicates a vascular headache that often remains associated with sensitivity to sound as well as nausea brought forth by disorders of the serotonergic control system, though genetics also play a large part in it.

Migraine Headache Symptom: Migraine headache symptom varies from person to person, making prior, current and post-attack signs undefined phenomenon up to quite an extent. However, there are roughly four types of symptoms that associate with the four phases of a migraine attack, though not necessarily experienced by every migraine sufferer.

·The Prodrome: Occurs prior to the headache to about 40% to 60% of the victims, the symptoms that show up during this phase are an altered mood, irritability, depression or euphoria, fatigue and excessive sleepiness, increased appetite, stiff neck and bowel and urine-related disorders.

·The Aura: A focal neurological phenomena either preceding or accompanying the migraine attack, the auras take anything between 5 and 20 minutes to appear before disappearing after an hour or so. The auras are the pre-cursors of the headache and can also be sensory or motor in nature apart from the visual ones – the unformed flashes of white or multicolored lights, though auditory and /or olfactory hallucinations, aphasia, vertigo, tingling or numbness of the face and extremities, and hypersensitivity to touch are also considered as other symptoms.

·The pain phase:Mostly unilateral, it’s a moderate to severe throbbing sensation that gets aggravated with physical activities is the symptom for the pain phase of migraine. Sometimes accompanied by localized edema of the scalp or face and swelling of the vein or artery in the temple that impairs concentration and mood are also considered the symptoms rather than the effects of the onset of the migraine.

·The Postdrome: Characterized by a tired, washed out, feeling that brings in varied degrees of irritability, listlessness and frayed concentration, resulting in depression and malaise, the postdrome symptoms also start of a feeling of vertigo at times.

Relief from Migraine Headache: Most of the patients seek relief from migraine headache by opting from the over-the-counter medication; though acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or similar other analgesics provide relief on a temporary basis, a blend with caffeine usually provides the relief for a longer duration

Migraine Headache Treatment: It’s not possible to suggest a migraine headache treatment program before analyzing a patient's migraine history; meant to prevent or reduce the number of attacks, ease the symptoms and shorten the duration, the treatments are broadly categorized into Prophylactic (preventive) and abortive treatment (with OTC medication). Preventive measures are usually the psychological ones that include stress management, diet restriction and change in sleep patterns, while chemicals like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, though gets rid of the pain often bring undesired side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, flushing, tingling, and nausea.