By the Ministry of HealthMigraine attacks normally happen to those between the ages of five and 35 years.
Migraine symptoms vary from individual to individual, but normally, a migraine sufferer will experience a headache that throbs on one side of the head, followed by dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
While a migraine is taking place, the sufferer also becomes hypersensitive to light and sound.
It can last between four and 72 hours, happening once or twice a year, or even every day.
Types of Migraines
There are two main types of migraines:
1) Classic migraine - This type of migraine always has early warning signs, known as "aura", which normally lasts between five and 15 minutes.
The "aura" includes:
* Seeing extremely bright light or zigzag lines
* Double vision or flickering vision
* Head feels like it is turning
* Dizziness
* Hard to speak or momentarily confused
* Numbness in some parts of the face or hands
Once the "aura" fades, the migraine attack will start.
2) Common migraine - This type of migraine occurs commonly without "aura". This type attacks slowly, but for long periods of time, until it disrupts your daily activities.
Trigger factors for migraine:
- Diet
a) Irregular meals
b) Foods that contain preservatives and have been dried, including some types of cheese, pickled fruits, burgers and hotdogs; foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) or processed sauces
c) Soft drinks, hard liquor or alcohol
- Hormones - Menstruation, use of birth control pills or use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Unbalanced sleep - too much or too little sleep
- Medicines - a number of medicines, including traditional/herbal medicines
- Weather changes - too hot or too cold and also air pollution , such as open burning
- Watching television or staring at the computer screen for too long
- Stress
- Genetics
Ways to prevent migraines:
a) Reduce stress
b) Get proper sleep - Avoid too much or too little sleep especially on weekends
c) Have regular eating times
d) Eat a balanced diet while avoiding foods that can cause migraines
e) Reduce your daily intake of caffeine and carbonated soft drinks
f) Increase your exercise and recreational activities
Those experiencing migraines are advised to keep a daily record of what they eat/drink and their activities, to see what could be causing the migraines.
This can help you prevent or reduce migraine attacks.
Migraine attacks can be overcome with or without medication. Treatment without medication includes resting in a dark and quiet room, and massaging the head gently.
There are three types of medical treatment. Check with your doctor before considering using any of these medicines:
1. Painkillers
2. Relief medication - will help alleviate pain.
3. Preventive medication - suitable for those who get frequent migraine attacks whose daily activities are affected.
You are advised to seek medical assistance immediately if you experience:
* Extreme headaches that happen suddenly.
* Headaches that last a long time or do not go away even after taking pain relief medication.
* Migraine attacks that happen too frequently or every day.
* Headaches that last longer than a week after suffering a head injury.
* Headaches that are followed by fever, sore throat, mood swings and blurred vision that lasts for more than an hour.
- Ministry of Health Public Awareness Programme
Source: Weekend - 26 July 2008
Migraine symptoms vary from individual to individual, but normally, a migraine sufferer will experience a headache that throbs on one side of the head, followed by dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
While a migraine is taking place, the sufferer also becomes hypersensitive to light and sound.
It can last between four and 72 hours, happening once or twice a year, or even every day.
Types of Migraines
There are two main types of migraines:
1) Classic migraine - This type of migraine always has early warning signs, known as "aura", which normally lasts between five and 15 minutes.
The "aura" includes:
* Seeing extremely bright light or zigzag lines
* Double vision or flickering vision
* Head feels like it is turning
* Dizziness
* Hard to speak or momentarily confused
* Numbness in some parts of the face or hands
Once the "aura" fades, the migraine attack will start.
2) Common migraine - This type of migraine occurs commonly without "aura". This type attacks slowly, but for long periods of time, until it disrupts your daily activities.
Trigger factors for migraine:
- Diet
a) Irregular meals
b) Foods that contain preservatives and have been dried, including some types of cheese, pickled fruits, burgers and hotdogs; foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) or processed sauces
c) Soft drinks, hard liquor or alcohol
- Hormones - Menstruation, use of birth control pills or use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Unbalanced sleep - too much or too little sleep
- Medicines - a number of medicines, including traditional/herbal medicines
- Weather changes - too hot or too cold and also air pollution , such as open burning
- Watching television or staring at the computer screen for too long
- Stress
- Genetics
Ways to prevent migraines:
a) Reduce stress
b) Get proper sleep - Avoid too much or too little sleep especially on weekends
c) Have regular eating times
d) Eat a balanced diet while avoiding foods that can cause migraines
e) Reduce your daily intake of caffeine and carbonated soft drinks
f) Increase your exercise and recreational activities
Those experiencing migraines are advised to keep a daily record of what they eat/drink and their activities, to see what could be causing the migraines.
This can help you prevent or reduce migraine attacks.
Migraine attacks can be overcome with or without medication. Treatment without medication includes resting in a dark and quiet room, and massaging the head gently.
There are three types of medical treatment. Check with your doctor before considering using any of these medicines:
1. Painkillers
2. Relief medication - will help alleviate pain.
3. Preventive medication - suitable for those who get frequent migraine attacks whose daily activities are affected.
You are advised to seek medical assistance immediately if you experience:
* Extreme headaches that happen suddenly.
* Headaches that last a long time or do not go away even after taking pain relief medication.
* Migraine attacks that happen too frequently or every day.
* Headaches that last longer than a week after suffering a head injury.
* Headaches that are followed by fever, sore throat, mood swings and blurred vision that lasts for more than an hour.
- Ministry of Health Public Awareness Programme
Source: Weekend - 26 July 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment