Migraine headaches account for more than half of all head pain, and it’s not just a pain in one side of the head. When a migraine headache is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, it interferes with the patient’s daily life.
Pre-migraine prodromal symptoms vary from person to person, and may begin hours or days before the onset of the headache. If you check how you feel before each headache starts, you will know in advance when the next headache is regarding to come. WebMD, an American health information site, introduced some of the prodromal symptoms that can detect migraines in advance.
The most common signs, such as yawning and urinating
Not everyone has the same prodromal symptoms, but there are some that are more common. For example, you may yawn a lot and urinate more often. Certain sweet foods, such as chocolate, can make you crave more than usual.
feeling irritable and depressed
Some people become irritable or depressed days or hours before the onset of migraines. Conversely, there are those who experience intense euphoria.
sleeping too much or too little
Some people feel exceptionally tired before a migraine occurs. Sleeping too much or too little can cause migraines. Paying attention to how sleep is linked to your symptoms can help avoid migraine triggers.
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea
Sometimes it affects the digestive system. You may feel like vomiting, or you may experience constipation or diarrhea. You may be able to get medical attention or medication to help treat your symptoms, but it’s likely not going to prevent your migraines.
sensitive to light or sound
Sensitivity to light or sound is a common sign before a migraine appears, and it often persists during or following the headache has passed. Bright lights or loud noises may trigger a second migraine following the first migraine has passed.
blurred vision
As the migraine approaches, your vision may become blurred. A scotopic or flashing light or shape may be seen. These problems can worsen slowly, but usually do not last longer than an hour.
When migraine aura symptoms appear:
What can you do if you experience these symptoms?
Taking pain relievers = It is best to take the medicine as soon as you recognize the obvious symptoms. The earlier you eat, the better. However, taking too much or too often can cause stomach ulcers, and stopping it can cause withdrawal headaches.
Reduce caffeine = Reducing caffeine may stop early migraines. It may also help increase the effectiveness of pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.
△ Meditation = Relax each muscle group in your body one at a time, taking 10 minutes of deep breathing each day. Then, sit quietly for a few minutes to clear your mind. Meditation can be helpful at any time, but it can be especially useful when you notice the warning signs of a migraine.
Avoid foods that trigger migraines = Certain foods can trigger migraines. Keeping a record of what you eat can help you figure out which foods are triggering your migraines.
△ When you sleep, it is dark = This is helpful in two ways. First, it calms and relaxes the mind, which is good for preventing migraines. Second, you can avoid bright lights that can make your symptoms worse.
A cold or hot compress = Cold compresses on the neck or head can dull the painful area and weaken the pain signal. A heating pad can relax tense muscles. You can also take a bath or shower with warm water. You can alternate between the two.
Reporter Jeong Hee-eun eun@kormedi.com
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