This post is by no means meant to scare you or make you feel like you have a serious problem. But the data shows that 39 million Americans have pain and symptoms related to migraines. If you are currently suffering from attacks, the best course of action is to get migraine relief in Oklahoma City by reaching out to professionals in your area.
In this article, you will get to know more about migraines. Although there is still a lot to unravel about the third most common illness globally, this will give you an idea of what qualifies as a migraine, its common symptoms, its possible causes, and the steps you can take to manage migraine and its related symptoms.
So, What’s a Migraine?
Well, this one is a little tricky to narrow down because it can vary from one person to another, and the intensity also varies a lot. But for starters, a migraine is a type of headache. A headache is any pain above the neck.
That may sound too simplistic, but that’s how more than 300 types of headache disorders are primarily defined in the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). A migraine is just one of them.
However, suffering from a migraine is more than just having ordinary head pain. It is considered a brain dysfunction caused mainly by a genetic disorder that makes it very common.
What Are Some Migraine Symptoms?
If you are experiencing a throbbing headache with some other symptoms like sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, blurry vision, and the like, then chances are you have a migraine. Other symptoms include a throbbing on one particular part of the head and vomiting, but these vary from one person to another. Some may have worse episodes than others, and some experience them one at a time, while others may experience them all at once.
Recurring head pains should last for about four to 72 hours and happen frequently and infrequently before a headache can be diagnosed as a migraine. This is one of the reasons why we said it is hard to pinpoint.
But to be sure that it’s a migraine before you seek migraine relief in Oklahoma City, it should have at least two of these four qualities:
- Headache that is moderate or severe in intensity
- Throbbing or pulsing head pain
- Pain that occurs on just one side of the head
- Sensitivity to light and sounds
- Symptoms that get worse as you become more active
Additionally, migraine sufferers will also go through four migraine stages.
1. Premonitory Phase
This is the initial stage where changes in the physical and mental state begin to take place. These include tiredness, mood swings, thirst, and a stiff neck.
2. Aura Phase
Since migraine is a brain dysfunction, the person who suffers from this may see some dark spots, stars, or zigzag lines. Migraineurs may also experience numbness or tingling in certain parts of their body. These visual, auditory, or sensory disturbances are called “auras.” Some extreme cases include vertigo or even fainting.
3. Headache Phase
This is the most familiar phase, which includes the symptoms we already listed above.
4. Postdrome Phase
A postdrome can be compared to a hangover which can last for a few hours to a few days. It is the lingering feeling of headache, which can sometimes be accompanied by the same symptoms.
What May Cause Migraines?
While more studies need to be done to pinpoint the cause of a migraine, it is generally known that there are changes within the brain when it occurs. Trigeminal nerves, which are responsible for pain sensors, interact abnormally with the brainstem which, in effect, usually causes painless activities like exposure to light or coughing to become more severe.
Behavioral factors also contribute to it. For example, when a person suddenly changes their sleeping patterns like having more or less sleep than usual. A migraine may also occur when you suffer from anxiety or meet a very stressful situation. More women experience migraines which is why hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles are seen as primary causes.
The environment also plays a role in inducing factors. These include a sudden change in weather, loud noises, strong odors, or going to areas where there are strong flashing lights. Intake of too much caffeine or withdrawal from it, eating food with nitrate, and MSG have also been known causes of headaches.
How to Manage a Migraine Attack
Some pieces of advice for migraine relief by Oklahoma City and nationwide professionals is simpler than you would expect. One of the simplest ways is to have a regular sleep cycle. This means going to bed and getting up at regular times.
Since additives like monosodium glutamate and nitrates add to the symptoms causing headaches, cutting them from your regular diet will also help in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks.
Managing stress through meditation and taking regular breaks can also help reduce migraines.
Finally, when it comes to severe migraine attacks, seeking professional help is going to provide you with great relief because of their experience and expertise.
Visit Us to Get Migraine Relief in Oklahoma City
Even if we do not know about migraines in their entirety, we have enough information to help those who suffer from it to provide effective means to manage the attacks.
If you feel like you need professional help, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We have Dr. Jennifer Sheppard, a trustworthy chiropractor. She is ready to provide you migraine relief in Oklahoma City and the care you need to manage any symptoms or related problems you have.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sheppard, call our Oklahoma City office at 405-378-3100. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
