Migraine is a chronic neurovascular disorder that affects 15% of the Brazilian population and usually causes unilateral and throbbing head pain, most often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and intolerance to sounds, light and strong smells.
Also called by migraine doctors, the Greek "single-sided headache", this disease often confused with other headaches, but it is a type of disabling headache that affects genetically predisposed people.
The intensity of pain of a migraine is extremely uncomfortable. More frequent in women, it usually appears shortly before, during and after menstruation, lasting from four to 72 hours, and in extreme cases, with daily frequency, disrupting family, social and school activities.
What are the causes?
The possible causes have not yet been discovered, but studies show that migraine patients have an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the Trigemino-Vascular System, which is responsible for the painful phenomena related to the face and skull.
Some habits and situations that are proven to trigger seizures should be avoided, such as fasting, stress, depression, excessive sun exposure, insomnia or prolonged sleep, chocolate consumption, strong cheeses, sausages, sodium glutamate, sugar, sweeteners, coffee. and excessive alcohol, smoking, hormonal changes and certain perfumes.
Migraine Symptoms
According to Dr. Mario Peres, neurologist at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, the migraine attack can be divided into four stages with distinct symptoms:
- Premonitory: Period prior to the headache when there is a desire for certain foods, such as chocolate, mood swings, tiredness, yawning and fluid retention;
- Aura: Period when there are changes in vision such as blur, dark spots or smudges in vision, lines in? Zig zag? and bright spots that last from five minutes to one hour. It occurs in 15 to 25% of migraines. Smokers who use contraceptive pills and have this symptom are at increased risk for stroke;
- Headache: Period when there is a sensation of pain on one side of the head and throbbing that worsens with any physical exertion, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to noises, light and smells;
- Resolution: Period of recovery of the body after headache that is characterized by food intolerance, difficulty concentrating, muscle pain and fatigue.
How to know if I have migraines?
There are no specific tests to diagnose migraine. The diagnosis is clinical, through medical evaluation of the symptoms reported by the patient, based on a family history survey and analysis of tests such as magnetic resonance imaging of the skull and electroencephalogram.
Attitudes That Prevent Migraine
- Do not skip meals;
- Avoid foods and drinks that may cause migraine attacks;
- Set times for bed and get up and respect them, allow adequate time for sleep;
- Set aside some time for leisure;
- Try not to stress or suffer in advance with everyday situations;
- Exercise regularly, work your breath, stretch, and do activities that do not overload your neck muscles;
- Go to a physiotherapist and do hydrotherapy, postural treatments, digital pressure and massage;
- Do acupuncture or treatment with botulinum toxin injections to relax the head muscles;
- Seek help from a psychologist and do cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.
How to treat?
Treatment for migraine is changing the patient's habits to prevent the onset of seizures.
At the time of the crisis, to relieve pain, the doctor may indicate the use of common painkillers and some low dose antidepressants. If there is no response to this therapy a class of drugs called triptans may be indicated, but be aware that this drug is restricted in use, and progressive increase in pain relief doses may result in worsening symptoms.
Migraines and Vertigo - Mayo Clinic (April 2024)
- Prevention and Treatment
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