Migraine is a common complex disorder. It’s influenced by our genes, leading to moderate-to-severe headaches. These headaches usually affect one side of the head.
They come with nausea and a strong sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can be so serious that people may not work. The effects of a migraine can lead to long periods of disability.
The episodes can take hours to days and happen again and again. The most usual form doesn’t come with a warning sign, known as aura, and it makes up about 75% of cases [First source].
Key Takeaways:
- Migraine is a complex disorder characterized by moderate-to-severe headaches.
- Episodes of migraine are often accompanied by nausea and increased sensitivity to light and sound.
- Migraine attacks unfold over hours to days and can be disabling and impact work productivity.
- The most common type of migraine is without aura.
- [Add more Key Takeaways]
Migraine Types and Symptoms
Migraine is a complex neurological disorder. It has many subtypes, each with its unique symptoms and features. Knowing these types helps people manage their condition better.
Migraine with Aura
Migraine with aura comes with sensory issues before the headache begins. These can be visual flashes or tingling feelings. They usually last up to an hour [First source].
Chronic Migraine
Chronic migraine means having a headache 15 or more days per month. This lasts for at least three months. Eight of those headaches should meet the migraine criteria. It can lead to overusing headache medications [First source].
Silent Migraine
Silent migraine is when you experience typical migraine aura but no headache follows. It is hard to diagnose as those affected might not know they’re having migraines [First source].
Vestibular Migraine
Vestibular migraine causes dizziness and balance troubles. It affects life quality, making daily activities hard. It can happen with or without a headache [First source].
Abdominal Migraine
Abdominal migraine is common among children. It shows as severe belly pain, with or without a headache. Nausea and vomiting can also occur [First source].
Hemiplegic Migraine
Hemiplegic migraine leads to temporary one-sided paralysis or weakness. Other signs may include vision or speech issues. There’s risk of stroke-like symptoms [First source].
Ocular Migraine
Ocular migraine is rare and can cause temporary vision loss in one eye. This is followed by a headache [First source].
Migraine with Brainstem Aura
Migraine with brainstem aura causes aura from the brainstem. It may lead to dizziness or trouble speaking. It mainly affects young people [First source].
Status Migrainosus
Status migrainosus is a severe and long-lasting migraine attack. It lasts more than 72 hours. Such attacks need medical help to reduce symptoms and prevent problems [First source].
During a migraine, people go through different stages. Before the headache, there might be mood changes or food cravings. The headache itself brings intense pain and other symptoms like nausea. Afterwards, the “migraine hangover” phase can leave you feeling tired or confused [Second source].
Figuring out your migraine type and its symptoms aids in better management. This knowledge helps in finding the right treatment too.
| Migraine Type | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Migraine with Aura | Sensory disturbances, visual flashes, speech difficulties |
| Chronic Migraine | Frequent headaches, often exceeding 15 days per month |
| Silent Migraine | Aura symptoms without headache pain |
| Vestibular Migraine | Dizziness, vertigo, balance disturbances |
| Abdominal Migraine | Severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting |
| Hemiplegic Migraine | Temporary paralysis, vision changes, speech difficulties |
| Ocular Migraine | Temporary vision loss or blindness in one eye |
| Migraine with Brainstem Aura | Dizziness, double vision, speech difficulties, loss of coordination |
| Status Migrainosus | Severe and prolonged migraine attack lasting over 72 hours |
Migraine Causes and Triggers
Migraine is a serious health issue that can be caused by many things. These include genetics and inheritance, changes in hormones, stress, and even the weather. Knowing what leads to migraines is important to control or stop them.
Studies show that if someone in your family gets migraines, you might get them too [First source]. This makes some people more likely to have migraines when things around them change.
For some, hormone changes, like those during a period, can start a migraine. This is called a menstrual migraine. It happens because certain hormones, like estrogen, go up and down [Second source]. Finding ways to manage these changes can help reduce how often migraines happen.
Stress is a big trigger for migraines for many people. Feeling worried or doing tough physical jobs can bring on a migraine. It’s important to learn how to deal with stress in healthy ways to avoid migraines.
Changes in the weather, like sudden heat or humidity, can also cause migraines. Why this happens is not fully clear. It might be linked to how the brain’s blood vessels react [Third source].
Things like strong lights, loud sounds, or certain scents can also trigger migraines. It helps to know what things set off your migraines and try to stay away from them.
Believe it or not, some medications can start a migraine in a few people. These might be hormone drugs, birth control pills, or even certain blood pressure drugs. It’s always good to talk to a doctor about how your meds might affect your migraines.
Oddly, both too much and too little physical activity can trigger migraines. Very hard workouts or sports can sometimes cause a migraine. But, doing regular, not-too-strenuous activities like walking or swimming can lower how many migraines you get.
Using tobacco, like smoking or being near smoke, seems to up your chance of getting migraines. If you quit smoking and stay away from tobacco smoke, you might have fewer migraines and be healthier overall.
Changing your sleep habits, like not sleeping enough or having an inconsistent schedule, can trigger migraines. Sticking to a steady sleep routine and doing things that help you sleep better can help prevent migraines.
Lastly, there are certain foods that can set off a migraine. These include things like cheese, chocolate, processed meats, and some drinks. Knowing your trigger foods and avoiding them is a smart way to keep migraines at bay.
| Causes and Triggers | Examples |
|---|---|
| Genetics and Inheritance | Higher risk in individuals with affected relatives |
| Menstrual Migraine | Migraines triggered by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle |
| Stress | Emotional and physical stress can trigger migraines |
| Weather Changes | Temperature, humidity, and air pressure changes |
| Sensory Stimuli | Bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, certain textures |
| Medications | Hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, blood pressure medications |
| Physical Activity | Intense physical exertion, regular moderate exercise |
| Tobacco | Smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke |
| Sleep Changes | Insufficient sleep, changes in sleep routine |
| Migraine Trigger Foods | Aged cheese, chocolate, processed meats, caffeine, alcohol, foods with MSG |
Migraine Diagnosis and Stem Cell Therapy
Finding out if you have a migraine is really important. This helps doctors give you the best treatment. They look at your symptoms and medical history to figure out if it’s a migraine. They also check for other reasons you might have headaches [First source]. Since symptoms can change from person to person, getting the right diagnosis is critical.
Now, there’s been some cool progress in treating migraines with stem cells. This new method could help a lot. It aims to use the healing power of stem cells to fix tissues, even in the brain. So far, it has shown some good signs of making the pain and attacks less [Second source]. Lots of studies are still happening to know more about how well this treatment works and if it’s safe.
This new way of treating migraines could change everything. It targets the real cause of the pain on a deep level. The goal is to actually reduce how often you get migraines. While we still need more info about its benefits and safety, the idea of using stem cells for migraines is really promising.