Migraine : What Is a Migraine Attack

Ray Lam

Unlike normal headaches that many of us suffer with, a migraine is often a hereditary complaint that starts when someone is still in childhood. Most suffers will go to bed as the headache (usually on one side) takes hold and which could last a matter of a few hours but if left without attention, could last for days. Almost all sufferers will complain of exhaustion and a feeling of weakness that takes some time to pass.

Some people are more fortunate than others and may only have a couple of attacks per year whilst others have one or more every month. Often other symptoms similar to those of flu may afflict the patient; for instance, light sensitivity and chills, along with a feeling of lightheadedness as well. Migraine attacks only seem to affect people within a certain age range, just before puberty and stop by the time the person has reached about 40; however, by the time someone reaches fifty, attacks almost never occur.

It is quite common for members of the same family group to suffer with migraine attacks; even though there may be a link, so far it has eluded medical science. There is a condition that causes an inflammation of blood vessels in the brain and it is possible that people who suffer have sensitivity in this area. Another area that still isn't fully understood is why these headaches are more prevalent in women with approximately three times as many women suffering than men; only one in twelve men will experience an attack in their lives.

Some sufferers have a strange feeling anything up to 30 minutes before an attack; called a migraine with aura and may say they feel they have an attack coming. The warning signs may include:

*Nausea is very common *Vision is affected *Strange sounds or smell *Lack of sensation in sufferers extremities

whilst there are many more symptoms, the list above contains those which are most prevalent. Some of these indications are symptoms felt by those who have the most common variant of the condition, migraines without aura; many early indications felt by those who have a warning are symptoms felt by those who have no warning but their condition can be made worse if they are in constant motion.

It is believed that conditions that cause the blood vessels in the brain to contract could be an explanation for migraine but this still hasn't been proved so the search for cause continues. It might be that it is the expansion of the blood vessels afterwards that causes the headache; most victims become unable to do anything for some time after the attack. There are many possible triggers for an attack some of which are shown below:

*Weather *Certain types of food *Being at great height *Drinks *Very bright internal lighting *Not enough food *Anxiety

It is therefore a good idea for the victim to see if there is a pattern to the attacks which could then make it easier to avoid them.