Migraine - recurring attacks of acute headache, usually one-sided and pulsating, lasting from 4 to 72 hours. The name comes from "mikranii" - the truncated Greek word hemikraniya ("half of the head"), which indicates a one-sided pain. Migraine is a very common disease, not related to race, place of residence or climate.

Women are sick more often than men, in a ratio of 4: 1. Attacks of migraine appear in adolescence and adolescence, with the years tend to disappear (in men, usually after 45 years, in women - for menopause). There are two main types of migraine:.

a common migraine, also known as migraine without an aura;.

A classic migraine, also known as a migraine with an aura.

In most cases, the aura indicates symptoms that cause vision disorders. Other symptoms associated with aura are hearing and other sensory disturbances, confusion, motor and mental disorders. The aura stage usually lasts from 4 to 60 minutes. From a classical migraine (t. migraine with aura) suffer approximately 15% of all patients.

Causes of migraine Symptoms of migraine are caused by changes in the blood vessels of the brain, but the cause of this change remains unknown. Approximately 70% of patients have a family predisposition to migraine. The following factors also contribute to the onset of migraine: stress, nervous and physical overstrain, food factors (cheese, chocolate, nuts, fish), alcohol (most often beer and red wine, champagne), hormonal causes (menstrual cycle, contraceptive use), sleep ( lack or excess), weather factors (weather change, climate change).

Symptoms of migraine As a rule, migraine is manifested by acute, increasing pulsating pain, localized in one half of the skull. Other migraine symptoms:.

increased sensitivity to light and sounds;.

vomiting;.

nausea;.

drowsiness;.

general weakness;.

impaired motor functions;.

visual disturbances (flashes of light, zigzags, spirals, and t. e). This is the so-called stage of the aura preceding the migraine attack.

During a migraine attack, light and sounds can be intolerably annoying, and movement can cause pain. Migraine attacks begin suddenly, but in some cases, patients may feel tired, depressed or irresistible cravings for sweets.

Because an acute headache can be a symptom of other diseases, you should consult your doctor if the pain persists for 24 hours and is accompanied by fever or neck stiffness. You should also seek medical help if the headache is accompanied by unusual symptoms.

Prevention of migraine Some factors can contribute to migraine, so they are advised to avoid. These factors include: stress and depression, malnutrition or hunger, smoking, food (cheese, chocolate, nuts, fish, Chinese food and bananas), lack or excess of sleep, drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea and cola), alcohol, especially red wine, contraceptive use, travel - flights and related biorhythms, climate change and habitual conditions, hormonal changes in women (during pregnancy, menstruation or menopause).

Sometimes it is difficult to determine the causes that cause migraines - often this is not one factor, and their combination. However, even the detected trigger can cause only some migraine attacks, but not all. In addition, the risk factors are individual - which is dangerous for one, completely safe for another.

Diagnosis of migraine For the diagnosis of migraine, it is enough for the therapist to learn about the symptoms and frequency of seizures. Also conduct a survey and prescribe some tests.

Also the doctor can advise within 2-3 months to keep a diary to track the scheme of occurrence of attacks. If a certain pattern is observed in the migraine, this indicates the effect of certain factors.

Treatment of migraine If you feel the approach of a migraine, immediately stop all activities, lie down in a dark room where street noise does not reach, and take a pill from the headache.

If these measures prove ineffective, the doctor may prescribe other medications. Medications are effective if taken at the very beginning of an attack, especially if the headache is accompanied by nausea.

If migraines torture you once or twice a week, the doctor will prescribe a medicine for prevention.

If a migraine occurs under the influence of a certain factor, it is best to avoid this factor in the future.

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