Everyone has a headache at least once in their life. However, when we talk about migraines, you can be sure that it is not just a simple headache. A migraine is a disease that creeps up on you. Those affected suffer more or less from unpleasant symptoms. Some react sensitively to noise during a migraine attack, others cannot tolerate bright light. The mostly unilateral headache is initially described as a slight pressure that steadily increases until the pain eventually becomes unbearable.
How can I imagine a migraine?
At first, the pain is easy to bear. The symptoms are similar to a mild headache and hardly affect everyday life. However, if the pain becomes stronger, it is almost impossible to do anything. Gradually, the pressure in the head becomes biting and a recurring pulling sensation mixes in. The whole head seems to be under tension. In some people, one half of the face also begins to "fall asleep". You can hardly feel the affected part of the face, and sometimes nausea and balance problems also occur.
What happens in the head during a migraine?
The pain begins in the brainstem. This is where important centers that regulate headaches are located. While the organism of a person without migraine suffering produces special messenger substances (serotonin) to dampen pain impulses, this measure is missing in migraine patients. The brain gets out of control, the face and head area are sensitive to pain. Pain stimuli increase and neuropeptides are formed in the brainstem. These trigger inflammation of the blood vessels in the inner walls of the head. This leads to increased blood flow to the meninges and the vessels dilate. The tissue in the head is flooded, and the headache increases immeasurably.
Who is affected by migraines?
According to studies, approximately 15% of all women and 7% of men are affected by migraines. Migraines themselves are not curable, but they can be treated as well as possible.
Which home remedies help with migraines?
Peppermint oil
In the initial stages, Peppermint oil on the forehead and temples can be quite helpful. However, this proven aromatherapy only helps with mild headaches and cannot really be helpful during a migraine attack.
Willow bark tea
As Aspirin of nature is willow bark tea used. To prepare it, one teaspoon of the bark is needed in a quarter liter of cold water. This tea is brought to a boil, taken off the stove and left to rest for approx. 5 minutes.During a migraine attack, ice-cold compresses on the head help. To do this, wrap something ice-cold, preferably from the freezer, such as a cool pack, in a thin towel and place it on your forehead. For me, the migraine subsides after a while.
Cold compresses
What do I do if home remedies no longer help?
In many cases, those affected reach for
aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen. Sometimes it can help, but with severe attacks, there is only a short or no improvement in sight. Then often only stronger remedies help, which are usually specially prescribed by a specialist. Once you have taken the medicine, you actually only want one thing: to rest and sleep.What can I do to avoid migraines?
As a preventative measure, doctors advise plenty of exercise to train the blood vessels in the head.
Endurance sports such as cycling, jogging and swimming seem particularly suitable here. Exercise should be avoided during a migraine – but hardly anyone with severe pain would come up with this idea.Caution:If you suffer from migraines frequently, you should avoid
. Certain fragrances can trigger migraine attacks.PerfumeLong evenings of watching TV and excessive computer sessions
promote headaches – sufficient breaks must be taken here.Ensure
relaxation every now and then in everyday life. Structure your daily routine and plan things as well as you can. A daily program that is too rigid and tight triggers stress, and this is often a major factor for headaches and migraines.How can migraines be treated?
To distinguish a normal headache from a migraine, a visit to a specialist is advisable. They will carry out various examinations and sometimes create a
with you so that a diagnosis can be clearly determined. Once the diagnosis is identified, aids in the form of medication can be used.Headache diary on migraines - when your head is bursting
Read also:Â Home remedies for headaches
Image by Janine, meinhaushalt.at
