What is a migraine?

Probably, in the modern world you will no longer meet people who have never heard of such a phenomenon as a migraine. It is possible that you yourself managed to avoid these torments, but without any doubt among your relatives, friends, co-workers or just friends, there are those who complained about migraine sufferings. So what is a migraine? What is its nature? For what reason does it arise? For all these questions, you can get an answer by reading the materials in this article.

To begin with, a strong headache, a migraine, is known for a long time. The first memories of her are found in the records of the ancient Sumerian civilization, which existed on our planet about 5000 years ago. Later this disease we find already in the treatises of Paracelsus and Hippocrates.

The very word "migraine" once came from the ancient Greek "hemicrania", which meant "half of the head."

So, what is a migraine by definition of doctors? These are the strongest headaches that are most often localized in only one half of the head. The disease is accompanied by a very acute sensitivity to sounds and smells, vomiting and nausea. Patients at the same time often begin to suspect themselves of other very serious diseases, considering a migraine, as a consequence, say, a brain tumor, a stroke or a serious head injury. But doctors do not put such diagnoses. Similarly, migraine is not associated with increased intracranial pressure, or with bouts of glaucoma, and with general fluctuations in blood pressure.

Then the question arises: "So what is a migraine?" - This is not a trauma, not a tumor, not a result of increased pressure. What is this?

This disease is classified as a type of headache of the vascular type. At the heart of migraine is the so-called expansion of the walls of the brain-supplying blood vessels, which in turn begin to put pressure on the nerve cells around them.

About 11% of the world's population suffers migraines regularly, and mostly women.

Specialists distinguish two types of disease: general and classical.

The classical course of the disease is observed in approximately 10% of all patients. A strong headache is preceded by a so-called aura, which includes a set of harbingers of migraine. In each patient, the aura can manifest itself in completely different ways. For example, some may have visual impairments, say, a peculiar "veil" or "flies", or even simply bright bursts. Others complain of a violation of smell, or hearing, or speech, and sometimes even coordination of movement. This is due to the fact that during a migraine, a certain area of the brain suffers and it is in it that there is an imbalance of blood circulation.

What is a migraine in its general course? - In this case, the aura is not observed, and the patient immediately begins to suffer from a headache attack.

This headache can last from several hours to 3 days. The pain that arises in one half of the head grows gradually. In the future, as a rule, it is clearly localized in the ear, eye, forehead or temple, and sometimes also in the shoulder or neck area. Very often the pain is so severe that the patient begins to feel it immediately in the whole body. This condition is accompanied by dizziness, vomiting, frequent urination, diarrhea, or chills, intensifying from very bright light or loud noises. After its termination, patients often complain of complete exhaustion of both mental and physical forces.

Causes of migraine:

• increased sensitivity to a certain type of food;

• weather change;

• insomnia;

• physical overstrain;

• The light is too bright or blinking;

• irritating odors;

• psychological trauma;

• hormonal changes in the female body associated with the menstrual cycle.

In case of frequent migraine it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately!