Migraines are a type of headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. They are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so bad that it interferes with your daily activities.
The exact cause of migraines is not fully understood, but they are thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There are a number of triggers that can cause migraines, including stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, and changes in weather.
There is no cure for migraines, but there are a number of treatments that can help to relieve the symptoms. These include over-the-counter painkillers, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes.
If you think you may have migraines, it is important to see a doctor. They can diagnose your condition and recommend the best treatment for you. Quite often doctors will advise an eye test to rule out any other conditions that may be causing it and the eye is a good window to the brain. The visual elements of a migraine are rarely simply related to the eye as they are from the brain.
Here are some additional information about migraines:
- Migraines affect about 1 in 15 people worldwide.
- Women are more likely to get migraines than men.
- Migraines can start at any age, but they are most common in people between the ages of 20 and 40.
- There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for migraines, so it is important to work with your doctor to find the treatment that works best for you.
If you are experiencing migraines, there are a number of things you can do to help relieve the symptoms:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay hydrated.
- Avoid triggers that set off your migraines. – Making a ‘headache diary’ is useful and in this you document about what happened around the time of starting with a migraine- include things like smells around you, have you eaten recently , is it noisy around you – sometimes this helps to work out what the trigger is.
- Take over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.
- Apply a cold compress to your head.
- Lie down in a dark, quiet room.