What to do about migraines?

Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Migraine is a very common neurological disorder, generally related to dysfunction in vascular contraction and expansion, abnormal neurotransmitter secretion in the brain, and trigeminal nerve dysfunction. If a patient experiences recurring headaches, they can visit the department of neurology for a comprehensive examination using cranial CT or MRI. Once intracranial organic diseases are ruled out, a diagnosis of migraine can generally be confirmed, and related treatment can be administered. If a patient experiences frequent headaches, but they are not severe, long-term oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine can be prescribed, typically for a course of at least 28 days. If the headaches are severe but occur less frequently, temporary oral administration of pain relief medication may be recommended, commonly using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What causes migraines with nausea?

Patients with migraines often experience significant nausea and vomiting, which is also an important diagnostic criterion in the diagnosis of migraines. The reason migraines cause nausea is primarily due to abnormalities in the trigeminal ganglion of migraine sufferers. These impulses may be transmitted to the solitary nucleus in the brainstem, which is mainly responsible for some autonomic nerves and closely related to vomiting. When the solitary nucleus is affected, obvious vomiting naturally occurs. Many migraine patients find that their symptoms are somewhat relieved after vomiting. The main treatment for migraine-induced vomiting is to have the patient rest quietly and take appropriate pain relief medication. If vomiting is pronounced, it is recommended that the patient take antiemetic drugs orally, preferably by muscle injection, which generally provides quick symptom relief.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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The causes of migraine

Migraine is a very common type of headache in neurology, and the causes of migraines mainly include the following aspects. The first aspect, it may be caused by the dysfunction of vasoconstriction and dilation. Constriction of the blood vessels inside the skull leads to the precursor of migraine, and then dilation leads to the onset of the headache. The second reason to consider is that migraines may be caused by the cortical spreading depression. The third reason, it may also be due to trigeminal ganglion lesions causing migraine attacks, the specific mechanism of which is actually not very clear. The occurrence of a migraine also has some triggers, for example, consuming cheese, pickled products, chocolate, and wine can all potentially trigger migraines, which should be avoided.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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Symptoms of Migraine

Typical migraine attacks start with prodromal symptoms. Common prodromal symptoms include blurred vision, distorted vision, or the appearance of water-like patterns. Shortly after these symptoms disappear, headache symptoms on one side of the head appear, often accompanied by nausea and in a few cases, vomiting. These symptoms can subside completely within a few hours and can recur. The occurrence of migraines is greatly related to diet, such as pickled foods and leftovers that contain nitrates, which can trigger a migraine attack. It is best to avoid these, as well as cheese and red wine which can also trigger migraines. During a migraine attack, symptomatic oral pain relievers can be used for treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How long will it take for the migraine to get better?

Migraine is very prevalent among young and middle-aged people, with sufferers usually experiencing unilateral, though sometimes bilateral, pulsating headaches. These may accompany a sensitivity to light and sound, along with significant nausea and vomiting. Typically, migraines resolve within 4-72 hours, meaning recovery generally occurs within three days. If it doesn’t resolve within three days, it’s referred to as a status migrainosus. During an acute migraine episode, it is important to rest, ensure adequate sleep, consume more fruits, and take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment. Specific pain relievers such as triptans may also be used, and concurrent complications should be addressed. Furthermore, if migraines recur frequently, prophylactic treatment with medications like beta-blockers may be considered. (Please consult a professional physician before taking any medication.)

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
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How to quickly relieve a migraine

Migraines can be quickly alleviated by taking oral painkillers, but this is under the precondition that the diagnosis confirms a migraine attack, rather than some other acute cerebrovascular diseases. If it is an acute cerebrovascular event, taking oral analgesics may mask the symptoms and delay appropriate treatment. Typically, before a migraine attack, there may be premonitory symptoms such as blurred vision or other changes in vision. After these premonitory symptoms appear, headache on one side of the head occurs, and these symptoms may recur. When the symptoms alleviate, they disappear completely. This is a typical migraine attack. Generally, migraines do not pose a major threat to one's health, and symptomatic oral analgesics can quickly relieve the pain. However, it is also necessary to rule out acute cerebrovascular diseases, such as cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage, which can also cause headache on one side. If the headache on one side is persistent, a cranial CT scan should be conducted to rule this out. (Please take medications under the guidance of a professional physician.)