Headaches and Migraines
- What types of headaches are there?
- Tension headaches
- Secondary Headaches
- Migraines
- Cluster Headaches
- How do you tell the difference between migraines and other types of headache?
- What are some symptoms of a migraine?
- What is a Migraine aura?
- What causes migraines?
- What triggers a migraine?
- What triggers other types of headaches?
- What can I do for a migraine?
- Can I use other remedies that are natural to relieve symptoms of a migraine?
- When to seek medical attention right away
- Products
Medicine now differentiates between more than 250 different types of headaches; the following are the most common types. It is possible for a multiple of these to occur at the same time. It is important to look at the clinical features present to differentiate between a tension headache, cluster headache or migraine.
Secondary headaches
Secondary headaches result from an underlying condition such as trigger points in the muscles, high blood pressure, sinus congestion or sinus pressure, anxiety or depression etc.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches occur during a cluster period as acute headache attacks that are short-lasting but extremely intense and then do not appear for another period (remission period). The pain in cluster headaches is much more severe than tension headaches and migraine headaches. They are often associated with eye symptoms as well.
This is a very severe headache differentiating it from tension-type headaches which have less intense pain but last longer. When a cluster headache is occurring the primary goal in acute treatment is pain relief. Males are much more likely to suffer from cluster headaches and cluster periods compared to migraines than females.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches occur during a cluster period as acute headache attacks that are short-lasting but extremely intense and then do not appear for another period (remission period). The pain in cluster headaches is much more severe than tension headaches and migraine headaches. They are often associated with eye symptoms as well.
This is a very severe headache differentiating it from tension-type headaches which have less intense pain that lasts for longer. When a cluster headache is occurring the primary goal in acute treatment is pain relief. Males are much more likely to suffer from cluster headaches and cluster periods compared to migraines than females.
If you suffer from chronic headaches, the question possibly arises as to when it could be a migraine versus a tension headache, cluster headache or secondary headache. Migraines are a neurological disease, with almost 10% of the Canadian population suffering from them. Women suffer far more frequently than men. This could be because there are many factors that contribute to the presence of chronic migraines including hormonal imbalances or hormonal issues.
Migraine headaches can even affect children and adolescents. In fact, acute migraines usually begin in childhood or early adulthood and can become chronic migraines as we get older. In most cases, migraine symptoms are only on one side of the head. People affected perceive an extremely intense and pulsating sensation that increases with actions that require effort. This could be as simple as walking up a flight of stairs. These severe headaches can last between 4 hours and several days.
Almost one-third of migraine patients are familiar with the phenomenon of aura. The duration of these symptoms is around half an hour. The typical migraine headache occurs during the aura or a short time afterwards.
Aura refers to the neurological symptoms that precede the actual acute migraine such as:
- Speech impairments
- Numbness
- vVsual impairment
- Seeing flashes of light or zigzag patterns (scintillating scotoma)
In some isolated cases there is no headache, so an acute migraine aura can also occur even without a headache although they are most often migraine-related. This type of occurrence is seen especially in men. Auras are not associated with tension headaches or cluster headaches. Auras that are not migraine-related need medical attention and potentially further tests such as a lumbar puncture. They are challenging to treat with non-prescription and prescription medication.
Get enough sleep/rest at a regular sleep routine/hour:
Everyone can benefit from enough sleep. Lack of sleep is often one of the main triggers of migraine attacks of any kind. Not only is getting enough sleep vital but having a regular sleep routine and being consistent is very important as well. This helps to regulate the body keeping it in equilibrium and working as migraine prevention.
Relax and unwind at the end of the day:
Take some time for relaxation at the end of the day. Wind down and get your body ready for sleep. For those who suffer from migraines and episodic tensions headaches or episodic cluster headaches, consistency and routine are very important. Getting into a relaxed state at the end of the day dilates blood vessels increases blood flow in the body and decreases muscle symptoms.
This allows our bodies to get the nourishment that it needs. It also helps decrease stress which can influence headache pain and headache disorders. For those who suffer from tension headaches or tension-type headaches, one of the best ways to relieve the distress and pain is my taking time to relax.
Those who experience migraine headaches are often dehydrated. It's important for everyone to stay hydrated for migraine relief. This can also decrease the strain on the body helping with tension headaches and cluster headaches.
Establish a consistent, healthy meal pattern & keep a diary:
Don't skip meals and eat a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Salmon, dark chocolate, figs, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale and quinoa have all been recommended for those who suffer from migraines.
Avoid processed foods as much as possible, try to avoid gluten has also been linked to migraines as a trigger, and natural remedies that are recommended to help prevent migraines are vitamin B-2 (found in a B complex), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, vitamin D and butterbur. And lastly, record your food intake, exercise routine and sleep routine to see to help identify triggers.
Avoid foods that may trigger headaches or migraines & Exercise regularly:
Some cheeses, chocolate, alcohol, to name a few, & exercising regularly helps to increase blood flow and aids in circulation, nourishing our brains as much as possible. It can especially help with secondary headaches.
Stress management & Check your medications:
Stress makes any headache worse and is one of the main causes of tension headaches. When faced with adversity, try to think it through and come up with solutions to your problems. Try meditation as a form of relaxation and stress management tool. Exercise is also a great stress relief. Also, some medications may interfere with sleep, which can cause a lack of it, and in turn, bring on more headaches/migraines.
Ensure an adequate intake of magnesium:
Studies have shown that increasing your magnesium intake daily can help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks by about 40%. Speak with your doctor to find out how much magnesium you should take (or if it is right for you).
Certain pharmaceuticals can provide migraine relief and migraine treatment including verapamil, sumatriptan, nasal spray, anti-seizure meds, anti-anxiety meds (triptans, zolmitriptan and amitriptyline) and migraine medications. Getting the appropriate medical care can also be an effective option especially during an acute episode, headache attacks or cluster period for the best pain relief.
Over-the-counter medicines, pain medicine and prescription medicine can be effective in helping people feel headache-free but sometimes taking too much medication can contribute to the symptoms of headaches and migraines. If you suffer from frequent headaches, you should try to track down the root cause to ensure that you are taking preventive measures. If you cannot find the root cause, you should at least try to gain relief from more gentle and natural remedies.
There are several things you can do to help treat symptoms when they come on and even prevent them before they begin:
- Turn off the light to decrease sensitivity to light and sound. Relax in a dark, quiet room and sleep if you can.
- Find a calm environment to relax. If there is too much going on the senses will not be able to relax and symptoms may intensify.
- Place a cool/warm compress on your forehead, ice packs have a numbing effect which may dull the sensation of pain. Hot packs can help ease tense/sore muscles. Warm baths or showers can help as well.
- Try rubbing your forehead and temples with peppermint oil or other calming essential oils, peppermint oil has a cooling or tingling effect on the skin, which can cause a slight numbing effect. For some people, peppermint oil is helpful in easing the pain
- Get some fresh air if possible, decreased oxygen levels and restricted blood flow to the brain often play a role in migraine attacks. Lack of oxygen causes low blood circulation, which has been linked to the cause of migraines.
- Alternate foot baths (warm long, cold-short) - helps to increase circulation to the brain and body by dilating blood vessels- can decrease symptoms from long-lasting and secondary conditions as well as acute episodes.
- Drink a coffee, at an early stage, a cup of strong coffee with lemon or vitamin C and magnesium might help avert an attack.
- Make relaxation a daily routine - tension-type symptoms can lead to tension headaches which can predispose to the development of migraines. Self-care is an important part of every day.
When to seek medical attention right away
Common headaches such as tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches are benign in nature. Although most common headaches are typically nothing to worry about there are sometimes when you should seek medical attention and medical advice right away as more extensive testing such as a brain scan or lumbar puncture may be needed:
Other symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Photosensitivity (or sensitivity to light)
- Photophobia (or discomfort or pain to the eyes due to light exposure)
- Migraine auras
- Muscle tension
- And much more
Typical over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen are often not enough to provide migraine relief.
Headache symptoms can present themselves 1-2 days before an actual migraine-like headache appears. An aura characterized by neurological disorders (sight, speech and sensory disturbances) may occur a few hours before the actual episode of pain.
Secondary headache symptoms can include:
- Irritability
- A heavy feeling
- Fatigue
- Euphoria or a feeling of joy.
Chronic migraines are very common among those who suffer. Migraines are also very resistant to treatment with some benefiting from medications for anxiety and depression such as sumatriptan or verapamil. These typically do not help other types of tension headaches or cluster headaches.
Typical symptoms of migraines include:
- Photosensitivity (sensitivity to lights)
- Noise sensitivity
- Sensitivity to smell
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Aura (visual disturbances with flashes of light, black holes, jagged lights)
- Increased tension in muscles
- Throbbing or pulsating sensations on the same side of the head
- A stiff neck
- Genetic predisposition
- Hypersensitivity to sensory input (chronic hyperexcitability of the nerve cells)
- Vascular disorder in the brain
- Inflammatory processes
- Changes to certain messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain
- Hormonal imbalances
- Stress
- Tight muscles
- Concurrent health problems
- Prescription medications that cause side effects
Trigger factors can present themselves in various ways between individuals. A trigger could be a smell, a sound, a lack of sleep or too much sleep. Certain stimuli may trigger an acute migraine attack. Hormonal fluctuations in women are one of the most relevant triggers. In more than 50% of all female migraine patients, the headaches are related to the menstrual cycle - those affected suffer migraine pain especially in the late second half of the cycle. Other headache disorders such as episodic cluster headaches or even tension headaches can also have specific triggers, typical trigger factors include:
- Hormonal triggers (menstruation, taking hormones)
- Biorhythmic triggers (time difference, seasons, shift work, too much or too little sleep)
- Environmental triggers (noise, smoke, hairdryer, full moon, light (disco))
- Substance triggers (alcohol, chocolate, cheese, red wine (due to tyramine and histamine))
- Social triggers (stress, weekend, anxiety)
There are many triggers for headaches such as tension-type headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches, including:
- Stress
- Irregular rest periods (weekends, holidays)
- Physical triggers such as hormonal fluctuations, neck pain, muscle trigger points, nasal congestion, runny nose, certain foods & etc.
- Changes in the weather
- a viral infection, sinusitis
- Medication overuse headache
To decrease chronic tension-type headaches and chronic cluster headaches identifying triggers can be incredibly important.
Migrenopas® works to ease the pain caused by headaches and migraines, and help prevent their return in a gentle and lasting manner. Complex homeopathic remedies do not set out to relieve pain fast, but to regulate it and prevent reoccurrence.
They can contribute to halting the long-term return of the body's reaction. Therefore, it is best to use this product daily for 2 to 3 months to see the best symptomatic improvement.
- When a headache comes on suddenly and very painfully; also called a thunderclap headache (this could be a stroke or aneurysm)
- When a headache comes on with neurological symptoms such as the inability to speak, slurring of speech, or weakness or numbness of the body (could be an indication of stroke and/or a brain tumour)
- Headaches with high fever, neck stiffness or confusion (could be a sign of meningitis)
- Extreme headaches during pregnancy (blood clots are more common during this time and could cause a stroke)
- When you have a history of high blood pressure
- When there is a history of concussions, head injury or trauma
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Tension headaches are the most common form of headache and the symptoms tend to be:
- A constant band-like tightness or pressure around the head which ranges from mild to intense
- Nausea
- Vomiting
These can be chronic and are often related to:
- Stress
- Lifestyle
- Muscle tension
- Can present differently amongst individuals
General over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen often relieve tension-type headaches.
