Migraine Headaches
Migraines are a debilitating and common neurological condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Characterized by intense headaches, migraines can significantly impact the quality of daily life and overall wellbeing. Understanding migraines, their causes, and treatment options is essential for finding relief and managing this condition effectively.
What are migraine headaches?
Whilst headaches on one side of the head are the most common and most impactful symptom of migraines, it is important to be aware that migraines are a complex neurological condition and can present with a variety of symptoms.
The pathophysiology involves a complex interplay of neurological, vascular and biochemical factors. A wave of depolarization moves across the brain and is thought to be responsible for the aura that many people experience before the migraine headache. In migraine there is also activation of a cranial nerve called the trigeminal nerve, and its effect on the blood vessels in the brain can cause them to dilate and constrict which can contribute to the throbbing sensation of a migraine headache. Additionally, inflammation of the protective layers surrounding the brain (the meninges) can also contribute to the pain of a migraine.
Common symptoms
Migraines can have quite a wide variety of symptoms, but some of the most common are:
Intense headache on one side of the head
Nausea and vomiting
Sensitivity to light and sound
Visual disturbances such as flashing lights, blind spots or zig zag lines
Dizziness
Fatigue
Aura – A sensory disturbance which can precede the headache, this is often a visual aura but can manifest in other senses as well.
Migraine triggers
The cause of a migraine is currently poorly understood and varies from person to person. Some common triggers include:
Hormonal changes
Stress and anxiety
Dietary triggers such as caffeine and alcohol
Lack of sleep, or disturbed sleep patterns
Environmental trigger like bright lights or loud noises.
Stages of a migraine
Typically there are four main phases of a migraine. These are:
The premonitory phase – This is often referred to as the warning stage as it is often the first sign that a migraine is on its way. Common signs that this is happening include yawning excessively and fatigue, cravings, mood swings and irritability, excessive thirst and stiffness in the neck or back.
The aura phase – Not every person who gets migraines experiences an aura but those who do can experience visual changes as mentioned above, numbness or tingling somewhere in the body, dizziness, or difficulty talking.
The attack phase – This is commonly when the headache occurs. The vast majority of the time it can be felt only on one side of the head but it can feel like it is across the whole head.
The postdrome phase – This happens once the headache has passed and can come as a feeling of fatigue. Often the symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of the premonitory phase
How are migraines treated?
Treatment of migraines can be split into two main categories, these are the pharmacological treatments and the non-pharmacological treatments.
Pharmacological treatments
For a person who is in the midst of a migraine attack there are various medications that they can take. Some are the standard over the counter medications such as aspirin or paracetamol which can help reduce some of the pain, and others are stronger painkillers which need to be prescribed by the GP.
There are also preventative medications that can be taken by people who suffer from migraines frequently. Drugs like beta-blockers, certain antidepressants, antiepileptics and others can be effective at reducing the frequency of migraine attacks. These again need to be prescribed by your GP.
Non-pharmacological treatments
Musculoskeletal professionals such as chiropractors can treat any musculoskeletal contributors to the pain of many types of headaches, including migraine. Adjustments, acupuncture and soft tissue work performed by skilled practitioners can all have a positive impact for sufferers of migraine type headaches.
Other non-pharmacological treatments include lifestyle modifications (such as dietary changes, improved sleep hygiene, adequate hydration and exercise etc), psychotherapies which can address stress and anxiety, and supplements can all help alleviate and reduce the frequency of migraines.
Conclusion
Migraines are a challenging condition to have to live with, but with the right combination of treatments relief is possible. Chiropractic care offers a strong non-pharmacological approach to the management of migraine and can be utilised alongside medications and lifestyle changes to achieve the best possible results. If you or someone you know suffers from migraines and you have any questions about how chiropractic care could help then don’t hesitate to reach out!
