Don't underestimate migraines.

According to medical literature, the cause of migraines remains undetermined, but many people suffer from them. The condition is more common in women than men (75% of migraine sufferers are female). It can occur at any age but is most prevalent in women between 25 and 40. In some individuals, migraines begin in adolescence, and the pain may lessen or worsen as they grow older.

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Migraine headaches are divided into two types: classic and common. Each type presents with different symptoms. In the classic type, patients often experience warning signs before an attack. These include seeing flashes of light, dizziness, numbness in the hands and feet, and nausea. Then, the headache begins on one side of the head. The pain is usually excruciating, like a pounding hammer. Many people have to interrupt their work or even seek medical help during an attack. The pain can last 4-72 hours if left untreated. Patients often become sensitive to noise, and movement intensifies the pain. In the common type, patients experience no warning signs and the headache occurs immediately. The pain can be on one side or both sides of the head, ranging from severe to moderate in intensity. To make an accurate diagnosis, doctors must base their assessment on the 5-6 previous headaches (because migraines are easily misdiagnosed as other causes of headaches such as sinusitis...).

If migraines are not diagnosed and treated promptly, the pain will worsen, leading to dangerous complications such as memory loss, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, depression, retinal degeneration resulting in vision loss and permanent blindness, and even stroke leading to death. Treatment for migraines mainly focuses on two factors: stopping attacks and prevention. When using medication to control attacks, doctors will try to adjust the dosage to achieve effectiveness, stopping the pain within 2 hours (if the patient experiences headaches lasting more than 2 hours, it will seriously affect their life, daily activities, and work). Typically, migraine patients use medication for at least 6 months.

To date, the exact cause of migraines remains unknown. However, several factors increase the risk of migraines, such as chronic or acute sinusitis; toothache; and certain infections in the ears, nose, throat, and eyes. High or low blood pressure can also cause migraines. Some physical or psychological traumas can also trigger migraines. Migraines can also be caused by external factors affecting the psyche, commonly known as stress, such as stressful work or unfavorable work situations. Migraines are also frequently seen in smokers, alcoholics, or those who are overweight (obese), and in individuals with sleep disorders (sleep deprivation, frequent awakenings, restless sleep, or prolonged insomnia). Furthermore, some authors suggest that migraines may also be hereditary. Regarding the mechanisms causing migraines, some believe that a deficiency in serotonin levels in the blood, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain, causes headaches.

According to SGGP online