Migraines are simply one of the worst things in the world to have to deal with. Many don’t know that a migraine is a disease that many people suffer from. Most people who suffer from this common illness actually walk around undiagnosed. Let’s explore what migraines are and ways to deal with them.
How Migraines Form
A migraine is a severe headache that settles on one side of the head and is caused by irregular brain activity. It is a neurological brain illness that many people don’t even realize that they have.
When the attack happens in the brain it tends to affect the brain’s nerve pathways while changing the blood flow in the brain due to the change in chemicals now that the migraine has started. They usually last 4 to 72 hours but there have been people known to have even longer-lasting migraines than that.
There are many triggers for migraines as well. It could simply be the foods you consume daily such as food containing MSG, dairy, and even certain meats. Lack of sleep, loud noises and extremely bright lights can also be a trigger for migraines. Stress, anxiety, and even certain odors can trigger a migraine.
Statistics on How Many People are Affected by Migraines
Studies show that migraines are the world’s third most common illness. It affects over 10% of the world’s population. At least 1 In 4 people suffer from migraines. It’s common for migraines to be passed down through generations because they tend to run in families making this illness hereditary.
Migraines can be seen in children as young as 10 years old and over 8% of children suffer from migraines which usually go undiagnosed. In adults, women make up over 80% of the people who suffer from migraines while men make up less than 7%.
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How Migraines Affect One’s Daily Activity
Symptoms of migraines include nausea, severe pain on either one or both sides of the head. The pain will begin as a slight aching on the side of the head and can begin to worsen in minutes. It becomes a pounding and pulsating headache which can be debilitating to a person. It creates a lack of appetite, body fatigue, vomiting, and light and sound sensitivity. While also causing chills and mental dullness even after the migraine disappears.
Ways to Prevent Migraines
Unfortunately, there are no specific ways to prevent migraines. Due to their many triggers, it’s not likely that there will be one specific way to