Some Common Questions On Migraine

What is a migraine?

Migraine is a medical condition that is characterized by a painful headache. The migraine headache generally causes severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation on one side of the head. And apart from headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound are also its key features. 

What causes Migraines?

Nobody really knows the cause of migraine. Genetics, environment, and lifestyle play a role in causing migraines. There can also be imbalances in brain chemicals (including serotonin – that regulate pain in the nervous system) that might cause migraines. Here is a list of the factors that trigger or initiate migraine pain:

Can migraines last for days?

Commonly, most people experience migraine pain for 4 hours maximum. But again depending on the type of migraine, this period varies. In some intense cases of migraines, the ache is said to last for 3 days also while some witness migraine ache hardly 1-2 times per month.

How do I relieve a migraine?

When you are experiencing a migraine headache, you may follow these tips:

• Apply a cold or warm compress to your head and neck
• Cut off from the noise and sit in a dark and quiet room
• Drink lots of water and include fluids in your diet more
• Opt for a good head and neck massage
• Apply lavender oil where it’s paining or sniff it or spray some lavender freshener in your room
• Meditate for some time
• Don’t exercise while in migraine pain
• Avoid high-protein food types, junk food, smoking, and consumption of alcohol
• Have ginger as it’s believed to be a great migraine relief
• Use peppermint oil as it is a good agent for migraine cure
• If you have medicine prescribed by a doctor, have it

Does migraine shorten life?

No, migraine doesn’t shorten life in general. But in certain complicated and rare cases known as migrainous infarction that leads to a stroke, people have died. Again, this migraine type is very rare and you don’t need to worry at all. 

When is a migraine serious?

When your headache has the following symptoms, you must consult a doctor immediately:

• Headache with physical weakness, dizziness, a numb or tingling feeling, loss of balance, and inability to move the body
• When the headache causes speech impairment, inappropriate behavior, seizures, personality changes, and confusion
• Headache after an accident 
• Any headache that comes with fever, stiff neck, rashes, and shortness of breath
• Blurry vision, blind spots, and double vision 
• If you are experiencing a new kind of headache never felt before especially when you have crossed 50 years of age
• Headache paired with severe nausea and vomiting
• Headache triggered by sexual activities, coughing, bending, and any other intense physical workouts
• If you notice any change in the symptom or pattern of headache

What is the most common cause of migraines?

Here are the common causes of migraine:

• Any kind of emotional stress
• Not eating enough or missing meals on a regular basis
• Too much caffeine
• Hormonal changes
• Sensitivity to specific food items
• Consuming pain-relieving medicines regularly
• Loud noise and too much light
• Dieting and not drinking enough water
• Tireless work
• Smoke or perfume
• Inflammation of the blood vessels due to usage of some kind of medicines

How do you get rid of a migraine quick?

To get rid of migraine pain, you can try the following migraine remedies:

• Use a warm or cold pack
• Leave noisy places
• Dim the light or switch it off
• Try meditation
• Have ginger tea or ginger boiled water
• Apply essential oils like peppermint oil or lavender oil
• Massaging the head and neck can be helpful
• Continue drinking water. Try lemon water to add some taste to tasteless water
• Take medicine when you feel it is unbearable after having a word with your doctor

What foods help migraines go away?

Here is a list of food items that might help your migraine pain go away:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Avocado
• Dark chocolate
• Almonds
• Mustard
• Turnip
• Collard
• Ginger
• Fish
• Flax seeds

Also, remember to eat small portions all through the day. Include lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, salads, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fluids in your diet.

What pressure points get rid of migraines?

There are three major pressure points to get rid of migraine pains. Ear, hand, and foot – all these three regions in your body have exclusive pressure points massaging which can alleviate your migraine symptoms.

Foot: –

Great surge- It is known as LV3 or Tai Chong. This point is the valley between the big toe and the second toe around 1-2 inches back from the toes.

Above tears – It is known as GB41 or Zulinqi. This is located between and slightly back from the fourth and fifth toes

Moving point – It is known as LV2 or Xingjian. You will find it in the valley between your big and second toes.

Hand: –

The pressure point LI4 or Hegu located between the base of your thumb and index finger on each hand is believed to relieve migraine pain.

Ear: –

Daith – The point at the cartilage above the opening of the ear canal serves as a pressure point to ease off the migraine pain.

Ear gate – It is known as SJ21 or Ermen. This is located where the ear meets the head.

Ear apex – It is known as HN6 or Erjian and is located at the very tip of the ear.

Can a migraine make you sick for days?

Yes, migraines can make one sick for a few days. Once this pain starts, it remains for at least 4 hours. After that strange and tiresome migraine pain is over what most people suffer from is known as “postdrome”. This stage is also called a migraine hangover. Whenever a migraine attacks someone, the whole process takes at least 72 hours or 3 days to completely ease off. Till now there is no evidence of how long will this pain sustain or when exactly would it stop.

Is migraine a terminal illness?

No, migraine is not a terminal illness. But still, when you have noticed all the migraine symptoms, don’t sit back and go see a doctor immediately for proper migraine treatment. Having said that, it is also true that sometimes, migraines have shown complicated behavior, and doctors call that situation a “migrainous infarction”. This complicated medical condition can lead to a stroke where the brain cells die because stroke cuts off the blood supply. Again, this condition is rarely found.

What is the best remedy for a migraine?

Apart from the medicines prescribed by your doctor, you can try to bring a change in your lifestyle to mitigate the migraine symptoms. Here are some best remedies for a migraine that you can follow: –

• Use lavender oil or peppermint oil
• Drink ginger tea or water boiled with ginger
• Keep drinking water. Squeeze a lemon in water for a better taste
• Acupressure can be of great help at this time
• You can sit for a long meditation
• A good head and neck massage may help you alleviate this migraine pain
• Avoid the following food types – food with nitrates like sausages, bacon, hot dogs, etc.; food with MSG; ice cream and any cold or too cold drinks; alcohol (especially red wine) and cigarettes (any smoking); chocolate; pickled food; cheese with tyramine like cheddar, parmesan, swiss, blue, and feta; dry fruits; beans; dairy products like yoghurt, buttermilk, or sour cream.
• Include food with magnesium like – peanut butter, milk, oatmeal, eggs, sesame seeds, etc.
• Have lots of fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, and fluids

Is it true that chocolate can be remedy for Migraine?

In general, chocolates are discouraged when you have a migraine attack but that is referred to all the regular milk chocolates. If you have authentic dark chocolates with 70% cocoa content, then you can have them in moderation. This may work because dark chocolates carry a good amount of magnesium that treats migraine pain and symptoms.

How do you get rid of a visual Migraine?

When affected by visual migraine symbolized by nausea and headache, one can take OTC (over-the-counter) medicines that will relieve your pain.

• Drinks like red wine and too much caffeine
• Bright lights, loud sounds, and strong smells (from paint, perfumes, smoke, etc.)
• Consumption of the following food types – food with nitrates like sausages, bacon, hot dogs, etc.; food with MSG; ice cream and any cold or too cold drinks; alcohol (especially red wine) and cigarettes (any smoking); chocolate; pickled food; cheese with tyramine like cheddar, parmesan, swiss, blue, and feta; dry fruits; beans; dairy products like yoghurt, buttermilk, or sour cream.
• Changing hormones in women – menopause, fluctuation in estrogen before or during menstrual flow, taking oral contraceptive pills, etc.
• Too much stress at work or home
• Change of weather
• Missing meals
• The pattern of sleep – that includes no sleep and too much sleep
• Intense physical work out including bending and stretching during sex
• Certain medicines like vasodilators or oral contraceptives

What to do for Migraine?

Migraine is a painful headache often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. So, when you see these symptoms alongside tiredness or speech problems, you must consult a doctor immediately. In case you are already aware of your ocular migraine or visual migraine illness, then you can take the medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Following the tips mentioned below will also help:

• Sit in a dark and quiet room as migraine is intensified with bright lights, noise, or loud sound.
• Drink lots of water
• Have light food including fresh fruits and leafy green vegetables
• Rub lavender oil or peppermint oil
• Drink ginger tea or water boiled with ginger
• Don’t have alcohol or caffeine or smoke
• Sit for meditation
• Don’t skip meals and sleep
• Have food types rich in magnesium
• Avoid food types like cheese, buttermilk, cold foods like ice cream, beans, sausages, bacon, dry fruits, and pickled food.