What is a migraine?
Migraine: Symptoms, aura, causes and treatment
Migraine is a neurological disorder that originates in the nervous system and is often associated with recurring, severe headaches .
Migraines can significantly impair quality of life. Many sufferers experience severe pain, nausea, or sensitivity to light.
The good news: Effective treatment options are now available , both for acute migraine attacks and for preventing them . The goal is to reduce migraine attacks, alleviate pain, and improve your quality of life .
How can I recognize a migraine?
Typical migraine symptoms include:
• severe, usually one-sided headaches
Nausea and /or vomiting
• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
· Noise sensitivity
• pronounced need for rest , often with retreat to a dark room
In some people, additional neurological symptoms occur before the headache – a so-called aura.
What is a migraine with aura?
Approximately 20–30% of those affected experience migraine with aura .
An aura is a temporary neurological symptom that can occur before or during a migraine attack .
This can cause symptoms that sometimes resemble a stroke , but usually subside completely within minutes .
What happens during an aura?
The aura is probably caused by a temporary change in the activity of nerve cells in the brain .
This change in activity spreads slowly across the cerebral cortex and leads in the short term to functional impairments in certain brain areas – for example, in areas for vision, speech or feeling.
What are typical symptoms of a migraine aura?
The symptoms usually develop gradually within 5–20 minutes and usually last less than 60 minutes .
Common visual disturbances
• flickering or flashing lights
· Zigzag lines
· blind spots in the field of vision
• Blurred vision
Sensory disturbances
• Tingling or “pins and needles” sensation in hand, arm or face
• Numbness
Speech disorders
· Difficulty finding words
• indistinct speech
Rare symptoms
· Dizziness
Weakness in one arm or leg
What are typical symptoms of a migraine?
In addition to a possible aura, the following symptoms often occur:
• mostly one-sided, throbbing headaches
Nausea or vomiting
• Light and noise sensitivity
• Worsening with physical activity
What happens during a migraine attack?
A migraine attack can progress through several phases. However, not every migraine is the same.
1. Precursor phase
Possible first signs:
· Fatigue
Mood swings
• Concentration problems
· Cravings
2. Aura (in some affected individuals)
For example, visual disturbances or sensory disturbances.
3rd headache phase
• severe, usually one-sided headaches
· often accompanied by nausea or vomiting
Duration: several hours to several days
4. Recovery phase
After the attack, many victims feel:
· exhausted
· tired
· less resilient
What triggers migraines? Common migraine triggers
Migraines can be triggered by various factors. Common migraine triggers include:
• Stress or stress reduction (“weekend migraine”)
• Lack of sleep or irregular sleep
· hormonal fluctuations
• certain foods (e.g. alcohol, cheese or glutamate)
· Weather changes
A headache diary can help identify personal triggers.
How is migraine diagnosed?
The diagnosis of migraine is primarily based on a detailed medical interview (anamnesis) .
Among other things, the following will be discussed:
• Type of headache
• Duration and intensity of pain
• Accompanying symptoms
• possible triggers
• Frequency of attacks
In most cases, no extensive investigations are necessary .
Imaging procedures such as an MRI of the head are usually only performed if:
· complaints are atypical
Neurological abnormalities are detected during the examination
How is migraine treated?
Acute treatment of a migraine attack
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the following may be considered:
Painkillers
• special migraine medications (so-called triptans )
• Anti-nausea medication
Important: Painkillers should not be taken too frequently .
As a rule of thumb:
• Maximum 8–10 intake days per month
Frequent use can lead to medication-induced headaches .
Prevention: Migraine prophylaxis
Migraine prophylaxis may be advisable in cases of frequent or severe attacks .
Possible measures:
• Drug-based prevention
Relaxation techniques ( e.g. Qi Gong)
• Lifestyle adjustments and triggers
Holistic approach to migraine
Migraines are often caused by several factors simultaneously . These include:
• Stress
· Sleep patterns
· hormonal influences
• psychosocial factors
A holistic therapeutic approach therefore takes into account both medical and lifestyle factors.
What can I do myself to treat migraines?
Many sufferers can positively influence their migraines through simple measures:
• regular daily rhythm
• sufficient sleep
• regular meals
• Drink enough fluids (approx. 1.5 liters daily)
Reduce stress
Endurance sports
Relaxation techniques
These measures can help reduce migraine attacks .
When should I see a doctor immediately if I have a headache?
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:
• Sudden onset of very severe headaches
• new or unusual symptoms
• persistent paralysis
• persistent speech disorders
• Fever and stiff neck
These symptoms can also indicate other illnesses and should be medically investigated as soon as possible .
If you suffer from recurring headaches or migraine attacks , I recommend a neurological examination .
My name is Dr. Helen Zeytountchian Tensen. I am a neurologist and in my holistic medicine practice I offer you:
• Comprehensive migraine diagnostics
• Individual therapy planning
• Acute and preventive migraine treatment
• Holistic therapeutic approaches such as acupuncture for prophylaxis (proven in studies) and Qi Gong
Together we will find a suitable treatment for your migraine .
Feel free to schedule an appointment.
I look forward to seeing you!