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Knowing The Types Of Migraines

There are different types of migraines that people suffer from. While most involve headaches and throbbing pain or nausea, there are still other with their own symptoms which are classified as migraines. Knowing the types of migraines and their symptoms can help you get a better diagnosis and the proper medical care.

Types of Migraines

We can start of by discussing the two basic types of migraines, Migraines without Aura and Migraines with Aura. The common symptoms of both types of migraines are headaches or pain on one side of the head. This is usually accompanied by dull throbbing pain at the side of the head or the temples, neck pain and nausea.

Migraines with Aura differ in that those who suffer from it experience sensory phenomenon such as seeing jagged or wavy lines or lights in front of them. Tunnel or impaired vision is also observed. Some also perceive funny or unusual odors. This symptom gradually diminishes and is replaced by the usual symptoms of a migraine.

Most of the other types of migraines usually fall under either of these two main groups. Some migraines may have different kind of pain such as in the location or duration and intensity of the migraine attack. Some types of migraines do not have headaches at all, only the other symptoms are experienced.

Other Types of Migraines

Silent Migraine ? this type of migraine is associated mostly with the occurrence of aura but the absence of headaches as a symptom. Common indicators are mostly the observation of waves, lines and colors in what we see. Nausea and other physical illness may also be felt.

Basilar-Type Migraines ? usually characterized by loss of vision or partial blindness while the migraine attack is occurring, it differs as there isn’t any motor loss that occurs with the migraine attack.

Hemiplegic Migraines ? characterized by occurrence of aura, nausea, vomiting and loss of motor functions or paralysis. Episodes are rather severe and are prolonged.

Retinal Migraines ? characterized by temporary loss of vision, usually in one eye. Lights, spots and other visual disturbances are also felt.

Ocular Migraines ? migraine symptoms include increased sensitivity to light, vision problems and hearing difficulty. Disorientation and confusion as well as slurred speech have also been included as symptoms.

Status Migrainosus ? a migraine type without aura. The headaches are very severe and can last for well over a day or two. Dilation of blood vessels inside the brain is the main culprit and should be addressed immediately to prevent the occurrence of stroke.

Transformed migraines ? these are described as migraine attacks that get worse in frequency and intensity over time. It is suspected that the cause would be overuse of typical medication for headaches and migraines.
Getting Treatment

To better treat your migraine you should definitely consult a physician. Describe in detail what your symptoms are as well as how often and what you were doing. Migraines can be first treated using analgesic medicine such as NSAIDs, aspirin and other pain relievers, these can usually take care of the pain symptom. However there are some migraine types that need to be addressed directly and specific medication should be administered.

Ask your doctor for more information about the types of migraines and how you can get treatment for your specific case.

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Migraine Neck Pain – More Than Just A Pain In The Neck

Migraine neck pain is both a symptom and a trigger of migraines. It is in fact a very common feature of most migraine attacks. While neck pain is common for people with migraines, they don’t associate it with migraines right away. This leads to misdiagnosis and the problems with migraines and neck pains don’t get any better.

Knowing Migraine Neck Pain

Migraine neck pain is most often described as ‘a tightness’ in the neck. Some can feel it at the base while some describe migraine neck pain as coming from the neck and going up towards the head. This is usually followed by a migraine headache where they may experience the symptoms of a migraine such as aura and pain. Nausea and dizziness can also follow.

Migraine Neck Pain   More Than Just A Pain In The Neck

Migraine Neck Pain

While neck pain can be common symptom of other ailments, if it is linked with a migraine then migraine treatment is the most appropriate response. Treatment using muscle relaxants, tranquilizers and other pain relievers can prove ineffective. These treat only neck pain and not the migraine.

What To Do About Migraine Neck Pain

Avoiding Neck Pains

Stress and posture have a lot to do with migraine neck pain. Whether the neck pain starts the migraine attack or is a symptom of it, you can benefit a lot from preventing neck pain. Relax your neck muscles by adopting proper posture, especially if your work requires you to sit in front of a computer. Adopt an ergonomic workstation setup so you aren’t tense while sitting down.

Practice proper breathing and relaxation techniques. You may want to attend classes on how to avoid from being too emotional or stressed while at work. Go for therapeutic massages or spas once in awhile.

Medicine for Migraines

For your migraines, you can take several types of medicine. Aspirin and other analgesics are the usual recourse to lessen the intensity of a migraine. While these can work, some medicine may have side effects which may not work well if you have other medical conditions.

Other medication such as anti-depressants, anti-epilepsy and heart medicines have been found to have good effects in preventing migraines. While they do not stop headaches or migraine attacks, they can lessen the frequency and intensity of migraines.

A Final Word on Neck Pain and Migraine

Migraine neck pain prevention and therapy is just one part of the solution. To completely solve migraines, you need to learn what the other triggers of your migraine attacks are. Food as well as other factors can play a role in triggering a migraine. Keep a log of what you do and eat each day so you can see if what you’re doing or eating is the reason for the migraine.

Whatever the course you may take it is important to consult a doctor. Both neck pain and migraines are serious ailments and can also be signs of other conditions. Describe neck pain fully and in detail, especially if accompanied by migraines. This makes the diagnosis of your ailment much easier.

Remember that you need not suffer from migraine neck pain if you act on it early and take the right steps.

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Signs and Symptoms of Migraine Headaches

Learning the symptoms of migraine headaches can help you detect if you are suffering from a migraine. A migraine is not an ordinary headache and can usually warrant different treatment. Migraines are very painful and they can impair your daily activities and put you at risk for other health issues such as stroke.

Learn the symptoms of migraine headaches below and know how you can deal with them.

Symptoms of Migraine Headaches

Pre-attack symptoms – these include changes in the mood and cravings for certain food. Stiff muscles (usually in the neck) can also be observed at this time. Change in temperature and usual bodily functions are also signs that a migraine attack may be coming.

Aura – aura is a symptom that precedes a migraine attack. Though it is not present in all migraine sufferers. As one of the symptoms of migraine headaches, this is characterized by the appearance of lights, lines and waves in the vision. Vertigo and lightheadedness can also be present. Some aura also includes the sensation of pins and needles as well as the observance of different smells.

Nausea – dizziness and nausea are common symptoms of migraine headaches. Some victims of migraines will eventually vomit.

Paralysis or Impairment of Motor functions – migraine suffers can also experience a feeling of paralysis or inability to move in some parts of their bodies.

Visual Impairment – tunnel vision and temporary blindness can also be symptoms of migraine headaches. This is usually felt in one eye. Loss of perception is also observed in migraine sufferers. Some also experience high sensitivity to light.

Pain – pain is the most common of the symptoms of migraine headaches. Although there are some who suffer from migraines without going through headaches. The pain is usually very severe and can last from several minutes to hours and even days. The pain can be felt at one or both sides of the head. This can be throbbing pain as well as sharp pain. The intensity and frequency of such pain can vary from time to time.

Treating Migraines

Preventing migraines is perhaps the best way to deal with them. Migraines are often caused by stress, lack of sleep and different kinds of foods. Food which has been aged such as hams, cured meats and cheese are likely culprits for migraines. Learn which foods can trigger migraines by keeping a diary of what you ate when you had a migraine attack. This helps you keep track of what food to avoid.

You can also ask your doctor about medicine for migraines. Preventive medicines in the form of heart medicine, anti epilepsy and anti depressants are now prescribed for migraine prevention. When you are suffering from migraines, a host of different analgesics are also available.

Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Naproxen are effective in dealing with migraines. Fro more intense migraine you can take Triptans and Ergotamines which have also been effective in dealing with migraines.

Ask your doctor about these different ways to manage migraines. With the proper changes you can avoid suffering from the symptoms of migraine headaches.

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