Migraine can be a nightmare for a lot of people. Migraines are headaches that cause a throbbing sensation or pain on one side of the head. Identifying the symptoms and triggers can help in reducing or avoiding migraines. In this article, Dr. Gurneet Sawhney will explain specific triggers and treatments for migraines.
Dr. Gurneet Sawhney is an excellent neurosurgeon in Mumbai. He has a medical experience of over 14 years and has been acclaimed as a dedicated and hardworking individual.
Below, you will read about migraine, its symptoms, triggers, and more;
What is a migraine?
A migraine is a headache that causes throbbing pain on one side of the head. Migraines are often recurring ( occurring repeatedly) kinds of headaches. Dr. Gurneet, best neurosurgeon in Mumbai, will be explaining some specific triggers for migraines below,
Migraine triggers
There can be a number of factors that can be the cause of a trigger migraine. Studies show that migraines can also be genetic.
Some triggers include:
- Stress: Stress is one of the most common factors for migraines. Statistics revealed that almost 70% of people with chronic migraines had work stress. Stress can affect the quality of life, but there are many ways to bust stress like relaxation techniques, yoga, meditation, and practicing mindfulness.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes trigger migraine in women thrice more than in men as a woman’s body undergoes changes in estrogen levels, especially around the time of her menstrual cycle. Women are very likely to experience migraine before the start of the menstrual cycle. A healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle can help in reducing migraine attacks. Dr. Gurneet Sawhney, one of the best neurosurgeons in Mumbai, suggests consulting a doctor as early as possible to prevent migraine attacks in the future.
- Sleep: Getting regular sleep is important for our bodies to function properly. Sleep helps repair, renew and replenish our bodies for the next day, so missing out on sleep will make you prone to migraines. Having a regular sleep schedule will reduce the trigger for migraines. Try to have a sleep routine like reading a book, listening to calm music, and reducing screen time.
- Caffeine: Studies show that people who consume too much caffeine or caffeinated drinks are prone to migraine attacks. Conversely, some people say that a cup of caffeine helps stop their migraines. It is important that you know your limits and reduce your caffeine consumption.
- Bright lights: People who suffer from migraines are often found to be sensitive to bright lights. Fluorescent lights, T.V. screens, computer lights, sunlight, and pulsating and flickering lights can trigger migraine attacks. Dr. Gurneet suggests that wearing dark-tinted sunglasses can help stop migraine triggers from light sensitivity.
- Strong Smells: Some people are very intolerant of specific different kinds of smells, and these smells can be a trigger for migraine attacks. Some common smells like gas, detergent, petrol, cigarettes, and paints are a trigger to many migraine sufferers. Awareness of your surroundings can help you avoid possible triggers, e.g., changing your environment, switching things that have strong smells with neutral or light smells, and keeping good ventilation at home or the workplace. If exposed to a strong smell, leave the environment and get some fresh air.
- Noise: Certain noises are an inconvenience to people who suffer from migraines. Loud noises can intensify and aggravate migraines. Noises such as fireworks, construction noises, sounds from vehicles, and music concerts can trigger migraines or worsen them. Though you may not always be able to avoid noises, you can cope with them through a process called desensitization. Desensitization is a type of therapy that helps cope with noises. Doctors like Dr. Gurneet, the best neurosurgeon in Mumbai, suggests that this therapy has been helpful to many of his patients. Desensitization is a process where you slowly expose yourself to the triggering noises; this helps you become more comfortable with the noises and, in the future, can reduce your chances of getting a migraine attack.
Treatment for Migraines
The treatment for migraines aims to stop and prevent migraine attacks.
Doctors will give you certain medications to combat migraines which include;
- Ibuprofen or Aspirin(Advil, Motrin, I.B.): These are medications for pain relieves
- D.H.E. 45, Migranal: This prescription drug is given as a nasal spray for people who have long periods of migraines.
- Sumatriptan and Rizatriptan: these prescription drugs help block pain pathways in the brain, and these are taken in the form of nasal sprays, pills, or shots.
- Reglan and Compro: These prescription drugs are given if you have a migraine accompanied by nausea.
Other lifestyle changes to combat migraine include:
- Regular and good quality sleep
- Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques
- Lose weight if you have obesity
- Avoid certain medications (e.g., birth control pills that trigger migraines)
- Limit consumption of alcohol and caffeine
- Avoid processed food
Make sure that you consult your doctor before taking any of the medications mentioned in the article above. Prevention is better than cure is true in case of migraines as you can make changes by adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
