If you have ever met with a headache so severe that you could not carry out your daily routine normally, with nausea and an intolerance of light and sound, you may be facing the state of a migraine headache, which is more than just a general headache. This article will take you to become acquainted with the symptoms of a migraine headache, the way to put it right, the causes, and the symptoms, so that you can manage it effectively, and receive advice from physicians specialising in rehabilitation medicine

What is migraine

Migraine is a disease of the nervous system that gives rise to a chronic headache, which usually has the character of a throbbing pain in a rhythm, affecting the quality of life significantly. At present the true cause is still not clearly known, but it is connected with abnormality in the level of chemical substances in the brain, the transmission of nerve impulses, and the working of the blood vessels in the brain. Understanding migraine will help you manage the symptoms suitably, and there are ways to put migraine right that are not difficult to follow at all.

The difference between a migraine headache and a general headache

A migraine headache differs clearly from a general headache. An ordinary headache usually hurts throughout the whole head, is a dull pain, is not severe, and has no other symptoms along with it. A migraine headache, on the other hand, usually hurts on one side, throbs, has a moderate to great severity, has nausea or vomiting along with it, and usually comes with an intolerance of light or sound. Some people may have a warning symptom beforehand, such as seeing flashing light or bright spots in the field of vision.

The causes and the factors that trigger a migraine headache

Understanding the causes and the factors that trigger migraine is an important step in managing a migraine headache effectively, particularly for finding a suitable preliminary way to relieve a migraine headache.

The biological causes of migraine

Migraine arises from a temporary abnormality of the chemical substances in the brain, particularly serotonin, which results in the blood vessels in the brain contracting and dilating abnormally. Besides this there are also genetic factors involved, making some people at more risk of having migraine than others; it has been found that women have a chance of having migraine about 3 times more than men.

The triggering factors from the environment and from behaviour

Several external triggering factors can give rise to a migraine headache, such as bright glaring light, flashing light, hot or humid weather, loud noise, pungent smells, or stress from work and postures that lead to office syndrome, as well as certain foods, such as cheese, alcohol, monosodium glutamate, and foods that contain nitrites, such as sausage and bacon. Besides this, stress, insufficient rest, and going without sleep are also important factors. Observing yourself in order to identify the particular triggering factors will help you avoid them and reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.

The hormone oestrogen has an important role in triggering a migraine headache, particularly in women. Periods in which there is rapid change in the hormones, such as before menstruation, during pregnancy, or after giving birth, may make migraine symptoms arise more often. Understanding this link will help you plan and prepare yourself to deal with periods that carry a high risk.

The character of the migraine symptoms that should be observed

Knowing how to observe your own symptoms is important in diagnosing and finding a suitable preliminary way to relieve a migraine headache, since a migraine headache has a particular character that differs from a general headache.

The 4 stages of a migraine headache

A migraine headache usually proceeds in 4 stages, beginning from

  1. The prodrome stage, in which there may be tight pain at the base of the neck or mood swings 1-2 days before the migraine arises
  2. The aura stage, in which some patients may see sparkling light or distorted images
  3. The headache stage, in which the patient will have a throbbing headache together with nausea and an intolerance of light and sound
  4. The recovery stage, in which the patient may feel exhausted, dizzy, and confused. Knowing these various stages will help you manage the symptoms suitably in each period
Ways to relieve migraine

Ways to relieve migraine

Migraine is a chronic headache disease that can greatly affect the quality of life. Treating migraine effectively requires understanding the diverse causes and triggering factors.

Migraine usually arises together with office syndrome (Myofascial Pain Syndrome), which is a group of symptoms that arises from tender points in the muscles (Trigger Points), particularly in the area of the neck, the shoulder blade, and the shoulder. These tender points not only give rise to a chronic headache, but can also trigger and increase the severity of the migraine symptoms. Therefore, an approach to treatment that covers both migraine and the problem of the muscles and the fascia gives a better result than treating only one or the other.

The approach to treating migraine with medicine

Treating migraine with medicine has several kinds, divided into medicines used to treat acute pain and medicines used to prevent migraine from arising.

  1. The group of Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA), such as Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline, can help reduce the frequency and the severity of the migraine symptoms. Although they are medicines in the group of antidepressants, at a low dose they can help in controlling migraine pain effectively
  2. The group of Beta-Blockers, such as Propranolol and Metoprolol, are usually used as medicines to prevent migraine by helping reduce the frequency with which the symptoms arise
  3. The group of CGRP Antagonists are modern medicines designed specifically to prevent migraine, by inhibiting the working of the protein Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide, which is involved in the arising of migraine
  4. The painkillers of the particular group of Triptans, such as Sumatriptan, have a high effectiveness in treating acute migraine symptoms, by acting on the serotonin receptors in order to relieve the pain

Treating migraine by physical methods and rehabilitation medicine

Besides the use of medicine, treating migraine should include managing the problem of the muscles and the fascia that may be a triggering factor or make the symptoms more severe:

  1. Western needling (Dry Needling) is a technique with a high effectiveness in treating tender points (Trigger Points), both in the muscles of the area of the face (Facial Dry Needling), the neck, the shoulder blade, and the head, which are usually the cause of headache and migraine. Specially fine needles are inserted into the tender points in order to stimulate the release of the muscles and increase the circulation of blood, helping reduce the frequency and the severity of the migraine symptoms significantly
  2. Therapy with electromagnetic waves (PMS) helps reduce pain by stimulating the nerves and the muscles in the area of the neck and the shoulder blade. This technique can help reduce the frequency with which migraine arises and relieve the pain that arises
  3. Therapy with high-power laser (High Power Laser Therapy) helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the muscles of the neck and the shoulder blade that may be the cause of migraine
  4. Therapy with focused shock waves (Focused Shock Wave Therapy) helps release the muscles that are tight and reduce the tender points in the area of the neck and the shoulder blade that may trigger the migraine symptoms

In summary

A migraine headache is a state that greatly affects the quality of life, but it can be managed by understanding the causes, knowing how to observe the symptoms, and choosing a suitable way of treating migraine, both the use of medicine and natural methods. Avoiding the triggering factors, managing stress, and adjusting the way of life will help reduce the frequency and the severity of the symptoms. If the symptoms do not improve or are very severe, a doctor should be consulted in order to diagnose and plan suitable treatment further.

For those who have chronic migraine headaches that affect daily life, PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic (PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic) has a service of care and treatment by a team of specialist physicians, particularly for pain that arises from tight muscles and the symptoms of office syndrome, which are usually important triggering factors of migraine. Contact us to receive a consultation today