Migraine, A Headache Disease That is Not Just a Headache

We believe that many people are familiar with migraine and some people may be dealing with it. Migraine is a type of headache characterized by intermittent pain, usually moderate to severe pain. The duration of each pain episode was 4-72 hours, and about 1 in 5 experienced a pre-convulsive symptom (Aura), which is seeing flashes of light similar to a flash, the eyes will be invisible for a moment, or numbness on one side of the body. It lasts about 5-30 minutes before the onset of a migraine. When there is a migraine, it causes a severe headache often on one side of the head. Sometimes there may be a throbbing pain, rhythmic with nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to external stimuli, especially bright lights, loud noises, or pungent smells, and sometimes it can be so severe until the patient has to take a break from work.

What are causes of Migraine?

• Stress.
• Insufficient rest.
• Surrounding environment such as flashing lights, strong odors, etc.
• Temperature change in the environment.
• Eating certain foods such as cheese, yogurt, caffeinated beverages or alcohol.
• Female hormone levels especially during menstruation.

Let’s check the symptoms of migraine

1. Having had at least 5 times with the characteristics identified in Clause 3 and 5.
2. Have a history of migraine.
3. Moderate to severe vertigo lasting from 5 minutes to 3 days.
4. Symptoms are incompatible with other types of headaches or vertigo.
5. Half of the symptoms of dizziness are characterized with at least one third of the following:

• • Two or more following headaches are present.
    • Pain on one side of head.
    • Throbbing pain.
    • Moderate to severe pain.
    • Increasing pain when body moves.

1. • Sensitive to light and sound.
   • Visual abnormalities, such as zigzag, flashing lights, or spotting vision.

Get to know 4 stages of migraine

1. Premonitory

This stage will be a warning signal to the patient that a migraine is about to begin. This stage may occur several hours or days before the headache, for example, the work force has changed either in increasing or decreasing manner

• • Changes in appetite and possibly a particular appetite for certain foods.
  • Changes in mood or behavior.
  • Decreased concentration lev.
  • Feeling tired. Some people may yawn abnormally / frequent urination / constipation / tension in the throat / more sensitive to light and sound / nausea, blurred vision.

2. Aura

It is a symptom that usually occurs before a migraine. This stage is found only 1 in 3 patients. The aura signal lasts from 5 minutes to 1 hour. There are many types of symptoms from visual abnormalities, sensations, and speech and may also be accompanied by muscle weakness.

3. Attack

It is a stage that creates a lot of pain and suffering for patients. The pain intensity ranged from moderate to very severe, lasting 4 to 72 hours, and the pain ranged from throbbing on one side of the head temple and then later became pain on both sides or moving side to side pain, nausea, vomiting. Sometimes the pain may improve after vomiting, sensitive to light, sensitive to sound, more sensitive to smell than usual, dizziness like fainting, blurred vision, pain in the face. It often begins to have pain above the eye socket and can cause pain down to the face, cornea, and neck.

4. Postdrome

It is a stage when the patients stop having a headache but still feel weak and fatigue. This is a period where symptoms are quite diverse, and it is unique depending on the individual. Symptoms may be related to migraines or migraine medications. Most of these symptoms are "tired, irritable, depressed, decreased concentration" and may take several days to be better.

When reading until this point, many people can clearly see that migraine is not only cause headaches but also affects quality of life or mental state. Some people may not be able to socialize as before. It may also affect work – study, concerned about the cost of treatment and all of this can cause anxiety and depression. Therefore, being aware of it and getting medical treatment early can help reduce the potential impact.

Dr. Kanitta Suwansrinon

Specialty Neurology

Neuro.Science Center of Excellence | Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai

Tel: 052 089 888  หรือ Call Center: 1719