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.
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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
prevent them. Instead, it’s better to treat your symptoms as soon as they appear, when the migraine starts to form.
The best way to start your in-home treatment is with yourself and your daily habits. Take note of your sleeping pattern. If you notice that you’re not getting enough sleep, then try starting with that change. The average adult needs at least 8-12 hours of sleep so start with a sleeping schedule that will get you those 8-12 hours.
Changing your eating habits is also helpful. It’s easy to not notice the type of foods that enter your body but it’s important to start paying attention.
Focusing more on what you consume can help you determine which foods might be triggers for your migraines. Healthier life decisions play a big role in combating certain illnesses.
RELATED: 5 Things You Never Knew Were Triggering Your Headaches
Doctor Recommendations
Though natural remedies are very beneficial, there are also ways that medicine can aid in stopping migraine symptoms such as prescription drugs. For example, a women's doctor might prescribe birth control as a means of helping dissolve the symptoms.
Another common type of prescription that can be prescribed to both men and women is antidepressants.
Since chronic headaches tend to come when one suffers from stress, depression, anxiety, etc, antidepressants can be prescribed by your doctor to help treat migraine symptoms, as well as seizure medication.
If you are someone who suffers from severe headaches and migraines, it’s important to reach out to a doctor. Though this is a disease with very little research behind it, there are ways to help stop the symptoms you may face. Doctors can assist with analyzing your lifestyle to help give you the best results on what to do next.
