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Got
an unbearable headache and you just can't explain where it came
from? Maybe it's not you're sinuses or the noise or the tension
of the day. It could be a migraine headache.Migraine
refers to a chronic condition of recurring attacks usually, but
not always, associated with headaches.
A migraine
headache is usually described by the sufferer as an intense pounding
pain involving one temple. In some instances, the pain is
found in the forehead, surrounding one eye, or in the back of the
person's head. Normally the pain is said to be unilateral,
meaning it affects only one side of the head, although it can affect
both sides in about a third of the cases. It's typical for
these headaches to change sides, first striking one side, and then
on the next attack, affecting the other side.
Some common symptoms of migraines include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea,
cold hands and feet, facial pallor, and a sensitivity to sound and
light.
In about
40 to 60 percent of instances of migraine, the attacks are preceded
by warning signs several hours or several days ahead of time. Some
of these warning symptoms include irritability, sleepiness and fatigue,
depression, euphoria, excessive yawning, and cravings for salty
or sweet foods.
About 20 percent of the time, migraine headaches are accompanied
by an 'aura.' This aura will precede the headache, although
sometimes it occurs simultaneously with the migraine headache. Normally
these auras are flashing lights, bright in color, which go in a
zig-zag pattern. The other characteristic of the aura is that
it is a hole in the person's visual field, called a blind spot. One other, less common aura, is one consisting of "pins-and-needles"
sensations in the person's hand and arm on one side of the body. (In fact, some people, who don't know they suffer from migraines,
might mistake the experience as the precursor to a stroke).Other
auras sometimes include auditory hallucinations and unusual tastes
and smells.
Some
complicated migraines are accompanied by a neurological dysfunction. The body part affected by this dysfunction will be determined
by the brain part responsible for the headache. A vertebrobasilar
migraine is characterized by a dysfunction in the brain stem. Symptoms
associated with vertebrobasilar migraines could include fainting,
dizziness, double vision. On the other hand, hemiplegic migraines
are associated with a paralysis or a weakness in one side of the
person's body--somewhat like a stroke.This condition is normally
temporary, but sometimes might last for a few days.
It's
important to remember to react appropriately to these symptoms. Remember that sometimes it's difficult to tell a migraine
from a tension or sinus headache, unless you're carefully monitoring
the signs and symptoms. In other cases, migraine-like symptoms
can be associated with more serious conditions, even as serious
as a brain tumor. Having said that, it would be premature
to jump to a worst-case scenario, because in the vase majority of
instances of headaches, a migraine is the worst-case scenario. Only
a small minority stem from something more significant.
If you
have questions about these symptoms, seek the advice of your doctor.
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