Migraine

A severe type of headache known as a migraine produces a pulsing sensation and sharp pain on either side of the brain. These headaches may cause nausea or vomiting. Many people also experience extreme sensitivity to sound and light.

There are numerous potential causes of migraines. The most frequent cause, according to a medical study, is aberrant brain activity, which momentarily alters nerve messages, blood vessels, and chemical composition in the brain. An individual experiences migraine pain when this and the triggers are present.

Generally, patients with migraines experience dull pain that starts out modest and later grows intense. It may start on one side of the head and later moves to the opposite side. Although the average migraine headache lasts 4 hours, untreated migraines can last up to 72 hours. Depending on the trigger points, each person has a different reason for getting migraines.

Migraine headache is commonly described as something pulsating, excruciating, perforating, pounding, and draining.

It can also be really painful and feel dull and constant. At first, the pain could be minor. But if left untreated, it can worsen from mild to severe. The forehead region is most frequently affected by migraine pain. It often affects one side of the head, although it can also move or affect the other side. A typical migraine attack lasts four hours. They can linger for up to a week if untreated or if they don't improve with treatment.

Individuals with migraines may experience different symptoms. The position of the patient during the stages of a migraine is the key factor. Although there are 150 different forms of headaches, there are four major stages of migraines, according to physicians. As a result, there are variations in migraine symptoms. Sensitivity to light, sound, and scent is still a typical sign, though.

Prodrome

Prior to the headache itself, migraine symptoms can start one to two days earlier. This phase is referred to as the prodrome. During this phase, symptoms can include:

• Yearning for food or an appetite decrease

• Constipation, diarrhoea, or bloating

• Changes in mood

• Neck pain and discomfort

• Heavy urination and thirst

• Fatigue and yawning a lot

Aura

The aura stage of a migraine develops following the prodrome phase. You could experience issues with your eyesight, sensation, movement, and speech when experiencing an aura. These are some instances of these issues: having trouble speaking properly, experiencing tingling or prickling in your face, arms, or legs, noticing forms, light flashes, or bright spots, or momentarily losing your eyesight.

Attack

It is the migraine's actual stage. Depending on the urgency of treatment, an attack might last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Physical exertion can make it worse, and the trigger points can make it worse.

One side of the head is painful while the other is not.

• Pulsating or throbbing sensation

• Nausea and diarrhoea

• Feelings of fainting, tiredness, and dizziness

Post-drome

This phase follows the headache's cessation. During this stage, people may experience extreme exhaustion, draining, and confusion.

• Weakness and weary

• Changes in mood and irritation

• Muscle ache

• Yearning for food

The clinical history of a patient is used to make the diagnosis of migraines. In most cases, a disease is brought on by inheritance. As a result, the doctors primarily determine if a patient's migraine episode is episodic or chronic and then treat it accordingly.

It is common practice to create images of the brain and blood arteries using an MRI scan. On the other hand, a CT scan examines in-depth cross-sectional images of the brain using several brain X-rays. These can be used to assess the patient's current migraine stage and intensity issue.

There may be several migraine kinds depending on the triggers and stages. These sorts can be quickly diagnosed and treated by identifying them.

Acephalgic Migraine

Due to the absence of a headache, this type of migraine is sometimes known as "silent migraine." But even without a headache, this particular migraine can be very bothersome. Other symptoms include confusion, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, hot or cold splashing, runny nose, dizziness, or weariness.

Aura in Migraine

About 15%–20% of migraine sufferers get an aura before a migraine, another name for these difficult migraines. Patients who experience brainstem aura may experience speech slurring, vertigo, loss of balance, or double vision. Moreover, speech difficulties, ringing in the ears, and vomiting are possible migraine symptoms.

Hemiplegic Migraine

Patients with this uncommon type of migraine experience momentary paralysis or numbness in one region of the body. Hemiplegic migraine sufferers frequently get aura-accompanied headaches. Some of the additional symptoms include numbness, acute weakness in particular body parts, tingling, vertigo, or changes in eyesight. Occasionally, hemiplegic migraines can be so severe that they send sufferers into a coma.

Chronic Migraine

An average month's worth of these migraine attacks lasts for 15 days. In this instance, the signs and symptoms are constantly altering, as is the level of pain. A patient may get migraine attacks more frequently if they take painkillers.

Retinal Migraine or Ocular Migraine

Retinal migraines can cause temporary or permanent visual loss. The discomfort may begin as a dull ache behind the eyelids and then extend to other areas of the head. Up to a month may pass before the vision returns.

Status Migrainosus

It is a severe, uncommon type of migraine, also known as condition migrainosus. It typically lasts for longer than 72 hours and is accompanied by headaches, discomfort, and nausea. It may happen as a result of discontinuation from some drugs.

There is no particular age range where migraines are more likely to occur. Those between the ages of 14 and 44, however, are more likely to get migraine attacks. Most frequently, migraines can be inherited and run in families. While fresh headache onsets are rare, people over the age of 40 may also have migraines.

The likelihood of developing distinct migraine kinds can vary. In addition to the physical discomfort and adverse effects, it can cause extreme mood fluctuations and even depression in some people. Post-traumatic stress disorder and generalised anxiety disorder are two additional psychological hazards. In some people, it may also lead to substance abuse disorders. Another hazard is agoraphobia.

There are numerous things that cause migraines:

• Regular menstrual cycles, regular hormone changes, and various forms of oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

• Stress

• Oversleeping

• Exposure to intense stimuli such loud noises, bright lights, or offensive odours

Many foods, including

• Red wines

• Seasoned cheeses

• Added preservatives to smoked meats (nitrates)

• Artificial sweeteners containing monosodium glutamate

• Chocolate

• Dairy goods

• Alcoholic drinks

It has been suggested that variations in barometric pressure cause migraine headaches. Not everyone who has migraine attacks will do so when subjected to these factors. Keeping a headache journal might help discover the particular elements that cause migraines if a person is unaware of the triggers that might induce one.

When individuals have a typical migraine headache, there are no obvious physical findings. Physical examination findings that indicate an anomaly should raise suspicions about other headache causes.

A patient must have experienced at least five headache attacks that met all of the requirements for migraine without aura as defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3 (ICHD):

Bouts of headache lasting 4–72 hours (untreated or unsuccessfully treated)

At least two of the following features apply to the headache:

• Unpredictable location

• Pulsating nature

• Moderate to severe levels of pain

• Aggravation brought on by or contributing to avoiding regular physical exercise (for example, walking or climbing stairs)

• At least one of the following features is present during the headache:

• Vomiting and/or nauseousness

• Either phonophobia or photophobia

There is no other disorder that could account for the headache. If the patient's physical examination is unremarkable, MRI and CT scans of the brain, as well as an electroencephalogram (EEG) are not required.

Typically, migraine headache is a chronic ailment, and it is challenging to get a full recovery. But there are certainly some preventive methods that doctors suggest. The following pharmacological advice for treating migraine attacks can be used for this.

Medication for Prevention

Doctors give preventive medications when migraines are severe and occur more frequently than four times per month. These drugs lessen headache frequency and intensity.

Medication to Relieve Pain

Patients often take over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat migraines. It is one of the quickest ways of treating migraine or headaches. However, patients under 19 should not practise over-the-counter medication as they may develop addictions to these rebound headaches.

Drugs to Treat the Side Effects

When a patient experiences a migraine attack, doctors frequently prescribe medications to treat their nausea, vomiting, and digestive problems. Lasmiditan-class medications also lessen sensitivity to light and sound and discomfort.

It is safe to conclude that migraines are a major health-related problem. Migraine pain can grow severe and move around the head if it is not addressed. Additionally, it may lead to potentially fatal illnesses, including meningitis, an infection, or tumours.

Most of the time, migraine prevention appears tricky. It's primarily because individual migraine triggers might vary. However, scientists have created a fundamental set of guidelines that can prevent migraines. The same can be done to stop migraine attacks.

• Determine seasonal changes, then take action.

• Avoid stress, and use relaxation techniques.

• Keep a diary of the times you get headaches.

• Track alterations in your hormone levels.

• Regularly take your medications.

• Avoid bright lighting and loud noises.

• Avoid foods like sweets, chocolates, processed meat, and alcoholic drinks.

A migraine episode can be treated once it starts, or it can be prevented with the use of medication. OTC medications may be able to provide you with relief. But if over-the-counter drugs don't work, your doctor can decide to prescribe different drugs.

Which medication is best for you depends on how severe your migraines are and whether you have any additional medical issues.

Acute medicines, which should be taken as soon as you anticipate a migraine attack, include -

NSAIDs Ibuprofen and aspirin are examples of NSAIDs that are frequently taken during mild-to-moderate attacks that don't involve nausea or vomiting.

Triptans These drugs, such as sumatriptan, eletriptan, and rizatriptan, are frequently the first line of treatment for people whose migraine attacks include nerve pain.

Ergot alkaloids These drugs, such as Migranal and Ergomar, are rarely recommended and are often saved for those who don't react well to triptans or analgesics.

Antiemetics Metoclopramide, chlorpromazine, and prochlorperazine are examples of antiemetics that are frequently used with NSAIDs to lessen nausea.

The patient's life expectancy is unaffected by migraine. It neither shortens their lifespan nor harms their brains in any way. Therefore, it is clear that there aren't many long-term risks for migraine sufferers. It is a problem for elderly individuals in particular, as the discomfort is typically taxing and exhausting.

Additionally, studies indicate that migraine sufferers have a 50% higher chance of dementia. As a result, it is wise to try to lessen the effects of migraine.

Patients with migraines can significantly influence how frequently and severely they experience headaches.

Use a headache journal or log to record pain levels, triggers, and symptoms to keep track of when migraines occur. Patients should also record the sorts of migraines they have (an individual can experience more than one type of migraine). This can assist in identifying patterns that precede a migraine as well as elements that contribute to the headache's development. When these contributing factors are identified, lifestyle changes can be made to decrease their effect.

Here are a few things that could be followed to keep off migraine attacks:

• Maintain a regular eating and sleeping regimen.

• Don't consume some items that could bring on a migraine.

• Maintain a healthy level of fluids, as dehydration has been linked to migraines in certain persons.

• Regular exercise.

• Meditation and relaxation techniques have also been proven to be successful in preventing migraines and reducing their intensity.

Many pregnant women discover that their headaches subside or even stop throughout the pregnancy. The more constant hormone levels that take place during pregnancy may be responsible for this. Some migraine prevention drugs may need to be stopped before getting pregnant in order to reduce the risk of birth abnormalities.

Studies on medications used to treat pregnancy-related migraines are scarce. When taken in line with medical guidance, acetaminophen is generally safe. Your doctor or another medical professional may suggest alternate treatments if you are pregnant and frequently get headaches. Before administering these medications, the clinician must consider the potential advantages for the patient against the dangers to the foetus because many migraine treatments, including triptans, have not been thoroughly studied in pregnancy.

Children may experience migraines. Although the course of treatment is similar to that used to treat migraines in adults, medicine dosages may need to be changed due to the patients' smaller age.

• Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are usually successful in treating severe headaches.

• Some triptans have been found to be effective for more severe or refractory headaches.

• Daily medication may be required for prevention if headaches happen regularly.

• Diet, consistent sleep habits, regular exercise, and biofeedback are all factors that may help children experience migraines less frequently and with less severity.

• A headache journal can be a useful tool for locating and avoiding migraine triggers.

Based on clinical history, reported symptoms, and the exclusion of other possible causes, migraine is diagnosed. Episodic versus chronic migraine headaches (or attacks) are the most typical kind, followed by those with and without aura.

However, the entire process of receiving a diagnosis of the illness and receiving treatment for it is expensive. And if you're a responsible person, you should always have a health insurance plan in place to save costs. You may very well save money and avoid burning a hole in your wallet if you had a critical illness policy that could cover the price of migraine treatment!

At Tata AIG, comparing, purchasing, and renewing insurance plans is incredibly easy and uncomplicated. All our plans and brochures are online, so you can easily evaluate and compare several health insurance plans, the sum insured offered, the medical expenses covered, and the applicable premium, and then select the one you believe is most suitable for you.

Our network is extensively distributed. More than 7200 hospitals around the country are part of our relationships, allowing you to submit claims without paying cash. We'll take care of paying the bill if you let us know about the treatment a few days prior or even immediately if it's an emergency.

There are two ways to buy health insurance plans from Tata AIG - online and offline.

Follow these steps to purchase a health insurance plan online

• Visit Tata AIG’s website and determine if you wish to buy a plan for your parents, children, spouse or yourself.

• Once you have decided, click on Get Plan.

• Fill in your details like your mobile number, email address and address.

• After this, you will get a recommendation for the best plans for you.

• Now, you will need to select the sum assured.

• After making the selection, you can compare plans to see which is the best plan for you.

• Make a decision on which plan you wish to purchase and click on ‘Buy Now’.

• Someone from our team will get in touch with you to find out if you need any help.

If all your documents are in place and your payment has been processed properly, you will receive your policy in no time.

To purchase health insurance offline

• Find an AIG office you want to go to.

• Go to the reception and state why you have gone to the office.

• An official will approach you and discuss plans with you.

• Choose the plan you think is best for you.

• Attach the necessary documents with the application form.

• Submit them and make the payment.

• After this, you will receive your policy in the mail post verifications in a few days.

The signs of a migraine can occasionally be mistaken for a stroke. If you or a loved one has a headache that includes any of the following, you should seek medical help right away:

• Causes new leg or arm weakness, causes slurred speech or facial drooping, occurs very suddenly and severely without any lead-in chronic migraine symptoms or;

• Warning occurs with a fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizure, double vision, weakness, numbness, or;

It's crucial to consult your doctor if headaches are interfering with your everyday life and you are unsure whether they are a migraine symptom. While migraine might feel incapacitating at times, there are various therapies available. Headaches can be an indication of other problems.

Your doctor can put you on a treatment plan that may involve medication and lifestyle modifications the sooner you begin to discuss your symptoms.