Migraine Essentials and What You Can Do To Help
If you have ever experienced migraines or are close to someone who has, you will know how debilitating they can be. For the vast majority, they not only impact the ability to continue daily activities during an episode but also have a knock-on effect in all areas of life, from attending social events to maintaining relationships and attending work and education.
Did you know it is estimated that 10 million people in the UK between the age of 15 – 69 suffer from migraines, and we lose a total of 43 million days from work and education a year due to them?
With so many people experiencing migraines and to shine a light on ‘National Migraine Awareness Week’ here in the UK, we will provide an insight into migraines and share more on how you can help yourself or those around you. There are several different types of migraines, and in this blog, we will discuss the ‘common migraine’ and ‘migraine with aura’.
So what is a migraine, and why do we get them?
It is thought that migraines are caused by overactivity in the brain, which temporarily impacts nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels. Specific triggers have been linked to starting migraines, too, including but not limited to:
- Strong smells and perfumes
- Change in weather
- Hormonal changes with menstruation and menopause
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Foods such as aged cheese, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, processed meats and canned foods
- Bright lights
- Lack of exercise or strenuous exercise with poor hydration and nutrition
- Medication overuse
What are some of the symptoms of migraines?
The type of symptoms can vary significantly from one person to another. For one person, it may feel like a boxing match is going on inside their skull, and for another, it may be throbbing, like there’s an alarm continually sounding. The pain can impact one or both sides of the head, face, or neck. Some people can become sensitive to bright lights or sound and may feel sick, or vomit, which is why often lying down in a dark room is the only option. The symptoms can last anywhere from four hours and go on for days, which is why migraines can impact daily life.
You may have heard of the ‘migraine with aura’ too. The ‘aura’ can begin on its own or with a migraine and can result in changes in sight, such as flickering lights, spots, or loss of vision. You can also experience a change of sensation such as pins and needles or numbness and problems speaking, which is why migraines can be a real cause of concern as they can present similar to more severe conditions*.
How are migraines managed?
Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all approach to help relieve the symptoms of migraines whilst they are in progress, but there are a couple of things to consider to help prevent them:
1. Keep a diary
If you have been experiencing migraines, keeping track of when your migraine started, and the type of symptoms experienced can help monitor patterns. Also, keeping a record of what you were doing in the run-up to the episode can help identify any potential triggers. Finally, keeping track of your daily activities, such as food, hydration, stress levels, and sleep, will help to build the picture. It may seem laborious initially, but doing so could provide essential information to help you adapt your lifestyle to prevent further migraines.
2. Seek help
As a chiropractor, we see many people who have struggled with migraines for years and have suffered in silence because they didn’t realise there were other avenues to explore. The good news is that chiropractic care is effective in the prevention of migraines along with other headaches arising from the neck 5. Do you recall earlier in the blog how migraines are thought to begin due to overactivity in the brain? The wonderful thing about chiropractic care is that it’s a natural approach to improving how well your spine and body work, and the adjustments directly impact your nervous system, including your brain. It’s incredible what can happen when your nervous system is functioning well.
Migraines certainly should be taken seriously, so we encourage you to seek help if it is something you struggle with. Feel free to reach out to us. We would be happy to guide you.
With love,
Rob
*Whilst most headaches are not sinister, some need urgent attention. For example, suppose you experience a headache which you have not experienced before, such as an abrupt, severe headache (the most painful you have ever had). In that case, a headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, numbness or weakness to your arm or leg, experience a headache after a head injury, or a chronic headache that is worse after coughing, sudden movement or straining, or you are over 50. We recommend you seek medical attention immediately by calling 999 to rule out any severe conditions.
References:
1. NHS England. (2020). Improved NHS migraine care to save thousands of hospital stays. Retrieved from NHS England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/01/improved-nhs-migraine-care/
2. The Migraine Trust. (2021). Impact of migraine. Retrieved from The Migraine Trust: https://migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/impact-of-migraine/
3. NHS. (2019) Migraine. Retrieved from NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/causes/
4. Migraine.Org. (2022). What is migraine? Retrieved from
https://migraine.org.uk/learn/what-is-migraine/
5. Advertising Standards Authority. (2022). Retrieved from Advertising Standards Authority: https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/health-chiropractic.html
The content of this blog is for educational purposes and is not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.