Headache: how to relieve an attack and prevent the development of migraines

2023 Author: Blake Bradshaw | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-20 16:20

Unfortunately, many of us face headaches. And often this pain is virtually unbearable.

A headache constrains our movements, forces us to abandon many pleasant things, and sometimes completely stops our usual way of life. Yes, today we will talk about one of the most unpleasant types of headaches - migraines.

What is migraine

A migraine is a throbbing pain in the head that is severe or very severe. Often accompanied by nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to sounds and light (when bright lights and loud sounds are annoying and unbearable).

Migraine is manifested by attacks that can occur both a couple of times a year and several times a month. As a rule, a migraine attack lasts from 4 hours and can reach several days. The pain is most often concentrated in one part of the head, increases with movement and is not at all ready to retreat from the drugs that are familiar to everyone.

This type of headache mainly affects people aged 30-45, that is, those who live the most active period of their lives.

Why does migraine occur?

The study of migraine only began in 1960, when one of the pharmaceutical companies decided to produce a medicine. Prior to that, it was believed that migraine is a mental illness that anxious and depressed people are susceptible to (interestingly, migraine in women is three times more common than in men).

An attack is triggered by a number of biochemical processes that occur in the cerebral cortex. Neurons start to activate, this automatically provokes inflammatory substances near the blood vessels. After the vessel and the tissue that surrounds it becomes inflamed, the person experiences a headache. Why neurons are activated is not yet known exactly.

Often people from the same family suffer from migraines, and this allows us to say that the propensity for this disease is transmitted genetically.

What can cause migraines

There are several of the most common factors that trigger migraine headaches. Among them:

• lack of sleep or too much sleep;
• food: chocolate, bananas, meat, chocolate;
• stress;
• osteochondrosis;
• overstrain of the muscles of the shoulder girdle;
• hard diets;
• insufficient amount of water in the human diet;
• alcohol;
• a sharp change in the weather;
• strong aromas;
• smoking.

If, after one of the above triggers, you have a migraine, try to eliminate this trigger from your life (if possible, of course). Also, watch the weather and when there is a sharp change, try to give yourself a little rest.

Important: in women, migraine can occur against the background of menstruation, sudden changes in hormonal levels and taking oral contraceptives.

Prevention and treatment of migraines

A migraine won't go away on its own. The sooner a person realizes this truth, the faster it will become easier for him. Only a neurologist can accurately determine the type of pain, as well as choose the treatment and preventive measures. In no case do not self-medicate, in the case of a migraine, you can easily harm yourself.

As for general recommendations, people who have migraines need:

• sleep at least 8 hours a day and try to go to bed at the same time;
• drink at least 2 liters of water per day;
• limit alcohol consumption;
• minimize the consumption of caffeinated beverages;
• eat right, not forgetting about a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits in the diet.

Important: If you already have a migraine treatment regimen, don't wait for the pain to get severe. The pills are best taken as soon as you realize that you are developing migraines, without waiting for the pain to become unbearable.

Be healthy!