Most of them don't even know it. This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Migraines might help you find out if you're afflicted.
Of course, a proper diagnosis from your doctor will help you know for sure
Question: How do I know if the pain I am feeling is actually caused by a migraine--and not another type of headache?
Answer: You are not alone in your confusion--migraines are often
mistaken for other types of headaches. But here are some guidelines for
distinguishing between them: A migraine usually gives rise to throbbing
that affects just one side of the head. Dull, pounding pain on both
sides of the skull often indicates a tension headache (of which stress
may be the source). A cluster headache (often precipitated by drinking
alcohol or smoking) is marked by discomfort near the eye, while a sinus
headache generally lays claim to gnawing pain in the sinus region below
the eyes, above the nose, and in the forehead. (The latter often
increases in severity over the day and may be spurred by a respiratory
infection.)
Question: Why do I often get migraines around my period?
Answer: About 70 percent of women who get migraines can predict their
onset around their menstrual cycle because of fluctuating hormones. In
addition, as women approach menopause, estrogen levels fall--and
headache incidence increases. (However, on a happier note, with the end
of menopause the headaches generally taper off.)
Question: Are migraines hereditary?
Answer: Yes, migraines do run in the family. In fact, if one of your
parents suffers from these headaches, you have a 50 percent chance of
being afflicted, too. If both Mom and Dad are migraineurs, you have a
75 percent chance of inheriting their headache misery. And even if a
distant relative like your Great Aunt Bertha falls prey, you have a 20
percent chance of getting them, too.
Question: What are typical migraine food triggers?
Answer: The usual suspects include chocolate, processed meats, aged
cheese, alcohol, pickled and marinated foods, citrus fruits, bananas,
and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Substances in these particular foods
trigger the painful headaches. For instance, chocolate contains
vasoactive amines, which can bring on a headache by dilating blood
vessels. Processed meats contain additives called nitrates that also
cause blood vessels to swell.
Food triggers are tricky because they may only cause problems 10 to 20
percent of the time that you eat them. Keep a migraine journal that
records your triggers (food and otherwise) and be patient when it comes
to uncovering the culprit.
Question: Is an "aura" the telltale sign of a migraine?
Answer: Many individuals wrongly consider an aura--marked by light
flashes, zigzag lines, shimmering lights, or numbness and tingling in
the arm and face--to be the indicative symptom of migraines when less
than one-third of sufferers actually experience it. Nausea and
sensitivity to light can also accompany a migraine. While these
symptoms can often be part of migraine, they do not dictate whether you
have one. It's important to remember that there is no
one-migraine-fits-all description.
Question: How long do migraines generally last?
Answer: These headaches can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours and hit,
on average, twice a month. The attacks tend to occur in three phases:
pre-headache (which can endure for several hours), the headache itself,
and post-headache (which can drag on for up to 2 days and include
nausea, fatigue, and mood swings).
Question: How are migraines treated?
Answer: "Abortive" drugs, taken at the onset of a migraine, can be
effective against these headaches. One such class of these drugs is the
triptans, which are available in tablet, dissolvable wafer, injectable,
and nasal spray forms. The triptans relieve pain by mimicking the
neurotransmitter serotonin. Some headache specialists are using Botox
in their practices. The anti-wrinkle med is injected into the forehead,
temples, or back of the head, temporarily paralyzing the muscles and
causing them to relax. To find out about these therapies and others,
talk to your doctor.
Question: Will exercise--like going for a brisk walk or jog--help alleviate migraine symptoms?
Answer: No, exercise cannot stop a migraine in progress. In fact, working out could very well worsen your migraine.
Question: Does weather really bring on a migraine?
Answer: In a recent study, researchers looked at the headache
journals of 77 migraine sufferers and found that half of the volunteers
experienced migraines triggered by the weather.
The biggest precipitating factors:
cold dry weather (22 percent); hot, humid
weather (12 percent); high or low barometric pressure (13 percent); and
changes in weather patterns (14 percent).
Question: Do migraines afflict men or women more frequently?
Answer: Call it unfair, but three times more women experience
migraines than men. The hormonal component may account for the
difference.
For more information check out National Headache Foundation's Web site
