Migraine
is a recurrent, throbbing headache that, characteristically,
but by no means always, affects one side of the head. There
is often warning of an attack, classically a visual disturbance
( flashing , zigzag lines etc) for some time, typically about
20 minutes, before the headache. This is known as "the aura". The aura may also take the form of numbness or weakness of one side of the body. It can also manifest itself as heightened senses –sight, smell, hearing - or the sufferer must just feel unwell. This pattern of events is caused by the constriction of blood vessels in the head followed by their dilatation. Sometimes the attack is accompanied by severe prostration and vomiting and can last a day or more.
Migraine can be very difficult to manage though various medications are used to prevent it and/or deal with the acute attacks. Any factors that are thought to trigger the migraine such as specific foods – bananas, chocolate, coffee, eggs, oranges, spinach, red wine for example – or activities such as playing computer games for too long, should be avoided. Strangely enough, migraine is more common during periods of relaxation from stress rather than during the stress itself. It is recommended that women with migraine should only take the oral contraceptive pill when very carefully supervised and not at all if they have a significant aura. And in no circumstances whatever, should migraine sufferers, who also smoke, take the mixed oral contraceptive pill as there is a substantially increased chance of them having a stroke at a tragically young age. Paracetamol may help with the headache in milder attacks and some people prefer aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. |
