Migraine Headaches: Causes, Treatments, and Symptoms
27 September, 2022
8 Shares
268 Reads
Share
A headache is terrible, but a migraine is worse. Migraine is a form of headache that is an extreme throbbing sensation or pulsating sensation that usually occurs on one side of the head. A migraine outbreak can last anywhere from a few minutes to many days. This neurological disorder is frequently accompanied by a variety of painful and incapacitating migraine symptoms.
Migraine Headache Symptoms
Migraine symptoms often progress through stages. Doctors have classified migraine attack into four stages for better understanding, and specific symptoms accompany each phase. Not every individual who suffers from migraines goes through all the stages.
Let us learn more about Migraine Symptoms.
Prodrome
This is the stage that precedes the onset of the actual migraine headache. About 60% of the people who suffer from migraine notice one or multiple symptoms:
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell
- Fatigue
- Food cravings
- Mood swings
- Parched throat and extreme thirst
- Bloating
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Stiff neck
- Fluid retention
- Frequent urination
- Constant yawning
Aura
This period can occur before or during the peak of a migraine. These symptoms are usually induced by an individual’s nervous system and involve their vision. It develops gradually over a few minutes and can last for up to an hour. The symptoms include:
- A person can see black dots, flashes of lights, or dancing waves
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tunnel vision
- Ringing in your ears
- Tingling, numbness, or pain on one side of the body
- Unable to speak clearly
- Hallucinations in extreme cases
Attack
The actual migraine attack lasts anywhere between 4 and 72 hours, and it starts as a dull pain and becomes a throbbing headache. Many people who suffer from chronic migraine headaches can often get two to three attacks per month, while those with mild migraine can get only a few episodes in a year.
Symptoms corresponding to the attack phase are:
- Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and even touch
- Neck pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Nasal congestion
- Throbbing or pulsating pain
- Pain on one side of the head
Post-Drome
Often called the “Resolution” phase or the ‘migraine hangover’, it can last for a day or two. The symptoms associated with this phase are:
- Tiredness
- Irritability
- Food cravings or lack of appetite
Migraine Headache Causes
Doctors are still unaware of the exact cause or trigger for migraine headaches. Migraine episodes might often trigger by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, imbalance of chemicals, and abnormal blood flow.
Women three times more and those with a family history of migraine are susceptible than others to get this headache.
Some Common Migraine Triggers are Mentioned Below:
- Hormonal changes and fluctuations in the levels of oestrogen during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause
- Stress, depression, and anxiety
- Drinks like alcoholic beverages and coffee or other highly caffeinated drinks
- Food substances include cheese, chocolates, nuts, and food additives like nitrates and MSG
- Lack of sleep or jet lag
- Dehydration and irregular eating habits
- Intense physical activity
- Environmental factors like flickering screens, strong smells, second hand smoke, loud noises, humidity, stuffy rooms, temperature changes, and bright lights
- Changes in weather conditions
Types of Migraine Headache
To determine the treatment process, your doctor needs to ascertain the type of migraine headache you are suffering from. Some common types of migraine are:
- Menstrual migraine
- Silent migraine
- Vestibular migraine
- Abdominal migraine
- Hemiplegic migraine
- Ophthalmic migraine
- Ophthalmologic migraine
- Migraine with brainstem aura
- Status migrainous
Migraine Headache Treatment
Doctors haven’t been able to find a cure for migraine. Migraine treatments can be broadly classified into pain-relieving medication and preventive medications. Some common medications that are prescribed are:
- OTC pain-relieving medication
- Nausea medication
- Triptans
- CGRP receptor antagonist
- Antidepressants
- Anti-seizure medication
- Blood-pressure lowering medication
- Botox injection
Home Remedies for Migraine Treatment
Certain alternative treatments are usually suggested by doctors that can help you cope better with the headaches and also prevent their onset.
- Relaxation techniques like biofeedback, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises
- Good sleeping and healthy eating habits
- Daily exercise
- Drink plenty of water
- Reduce stress
- Keep a headache journal
- Take health supplements
Take Care of your health with Niva Bupa
Niva Bupa’s GoActive plan is active health insurance that provides medical assistance for those issues that might not require hospitalisation. The family plan covers 2 adults and 4 children, and insurance covers up to ₹25 lakhs. The premium amount starts at ₹13,352 per year.
Another standout feature of this health insurance is access to a health coach. You can talk to a certified health professional who will help you achieve your health goals. The health coach can be contacted via a mobile app. They will provide support and motivation to achieve a healthy lifestyle by following a healthy diet, ways to reduce stress, and daily exercise routines.
Secure your Health with comprehensive insurance plans from Niva Bupa
Popular Searches - Health Insurance | Medical Insurance | Best Health Insurance Plans | Health Insurance Plans | Health Insurance Policy | Best Health Insurance Plans | Best Family Health Insurance | Best Mediclaim Policy | Best Health Insurance In India | Best Medical Insurance In India | Best Health Insurance Plans In India | Best Health Insurance Policy In India | Mediclaim | Best Health Insurance For Senior Citizens In India | Best Health Insurance | Health Insurance With Opd Cover | Mediclaim Insurance | Medical Insurance Plans | Best Health Insurance Company in India | Critical Illness Insurance | Personal Accident Insurance | Mediclaim Policy | Individual Health Insurance | Pregnancy Insurance | Maternity Insurance | | Best Family Health Insurance plans in India | Best Health Insurance company | Family Health Insurance | Best Health Insurance plans for Senior Citizens | Mediclaim Policy for Family
Health Insurance Schemes - Chief Ministers Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme | Employee State Insurance Scheme | Swasthya Sathi Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna | Government Health Insurance Scheme | Dr. YSR Aarogyasri Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna | Health Insurance Deductible | West Bengal Health Scheme | Third Party Administrator | Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana | In Patient Vs Out Patient Hospitalization | Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Yojna | Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance | Copay Health Insurance | Cashless Health Insurance Scheme | Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojna
Travel Insurance Plans - Travel Insurance | International Travel Insurance | Student Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance USA | Travel Insurance Canada | Travel Insurance Thailand | Travel Insurance UK | Travel Insurance Germany | Travel Insurance Bali | Travel Insurance Vietnam | Travel Insurance Dubai | Travel Insurance Singapore | Schengen Travel Insurance
Top Hospitals - Best Hospitals in Chennai | Top Hospitals in Delhi | Best Hospitals in Gurgaon | Best Hospitals in India | Top 10 Hospitals in India | Best Hospitals in Hyderabad | Best Hospitals in Kolkata | Best cancer hospitals in Bangalore | Best cancer hospitals in Hyderabad | Best cancer hospitals in Mumbai | Best cancer hospitals in India | Top 10 cancer hospitals in India | Top 10 cancer hospital in Delhi | Multi Speciality Hospitals in Mumbai | Multi Speciality Hospitals in Chennai | Multi Speciality Hospitals in Hyderabad | Super Speciality Hospitals in Delhi | Best Liver Hospitals in Delhi | Best Liver Hospitals in India | Best Kidney Hospitals in India | Best Heart hospitals in Bangalore | Best Heart hospitals in India | Best Heart hospitals in Kolkata | Best Heart hospitals in Delhi
Others - Top Up Health Insurance Policy | Corporate Health Insurance | Health Card | Section 80d of Income Tax Act | Ayushman Bharat | Health Insurance Portability | GoActive Family Floater Plan | Health Companion Family Floater Plan | Health Premia Family Floater Plan | Health Pulse Family Floater Plan | Health Recharge Family Floater Plan | Heartbeat Family Floater Plan | Money Saver Family Floater Plan | Saral Suraksha Bima Family Floater Plan | Senior Citizen Family Floater Plan | Super Saver Family Floater Plan | Corona Kavach Family Floater Plan | Hospital Cash Insurance | Cashless Health Insurance | Health Companion Price revision | Heartbeat Price revision | ReAssure Price revision
COVID - Omicron | Coronavirus Health Insurance | Covid XE Variant | Norovirus
www.nivabupa.com
+91 11 41743397
1860-500-8888
14th Floor, Capital Cyberscape, Sector 59, Gurgaon
- Insurance is a subject matter of solicitation. Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (formerly known as Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited) (IRDAI Registration Number 145, Category:Health), 'Bupa' and 'HEARTBEAT' logo are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are being used by Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (formerly known as Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited) under license. CIN: U66000DL2008PLC182918
- 1 Niva Bupa processes pre-authorisation requests within 30 minutes for all active policies, subject to receiving all documents and information(s) up to Niva Bupa’s satisfaction. The above commitment does not include pre-authorisation settlement at the time of discharge or system outage.
- 2 Since Inception refers to claim data from 2010 till December 2023.
- 3 ReAssure 2.0 Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Bronze Variant, for a 25-year-old individual living in Delhi.
- 4 Aspire Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Gold+ Variant, for a 25-year-old individual living in Delhi.
- 5 Senior First Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Gold Variant, for a 65-year-old individual living in Delhi.
- 6 Health Premia Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Silver Variant, for a 25-year-old individual living in Delhi.
- 7 SmartHealth + Disease Management Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Disease Management Gold Variant rider when bought with ReAssure 2.0 Bronze variant with Base Sum Insured of 5 lacs, for a 25-year-old individual living in Delhi.
- Beware of spurious / fraud phone calls! Do not share your confidential information like Debit / credit card number, Internet Banking User ID/Password, Pin, CVV, OTP, etc. with anyone. Avoid clicking on attachments / payment link received in mails / message from unknown sources. IRDAI is not involved in activities like selling insurance policies, announcing bonus or investment or premium. Public receiving such phone calls are requested to lodge a police complaint. Do not respond to unsolicited and attractive offers received through unidentified calls, emails, SMSs, and other social media platforms. Beware of misleading telephone calls from people posing as Niva Bupa officials, agents, IRDAI Officials, Officials from ECI (Office of the Executive Council of Insurers) etc. and offering alluring benefits or sharing false information on your policy or on Niva Bupa. Niva Bupa shall not be responsible for any loss or damages whatsoever for any acts or omissions arising out of such spurious calls, and all customers are advised to contact our customer care at 1860-500-8888 and verify any representations or promises made by any such spurious callers before acting upon the same.