What are the symptoms of migraines?

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

Updated on September 02, 2024

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The main symptoms of migraines include the patient experiencing photophobia and phonophobia, meaning a sensitivity to light and sound respectively. These stimuli can significantly worsen the headache. Patients often prefer to rest or sleep in a quiet environment. The second major symptom is a pronounced pulsating headache on one side, where the patient can feel a palpable throbbing of the blood vessels. Additionally, patients may also experience significant nausea and vomiting. Some migraine sufferers may have visual disturbances, such as seeing flashes of light or observing moving water-like visuals. At times, migraine patients may also experience episodes of vertigo, referred to as cluster migraines. Therefore, it is evident that migraine symptoms are quite common and need to be recognized and treated accordingly.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 17sec

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How to relieve migraine

The incidence of migraines is quite high, and the pain experienced can be severe. Patients often find it unbearable and refrain from physical activities, as everyday activities can significantly aggravate the headache. Therefore, rapid alleviation of migraine pain is crucial for improving patients' quality of life and maintaining stability in work and study. The main methods of alleviation include: The first method is relief through medication. Medications primarily include some non-steroidal pain relievers, along with other symptomatic treatment drugs. For example, if patients frequently experience vomiting, antiemetic drugs are necessary. Another category of drugs refers to benzodiazepine sedatives, which also play an important role in alleviating headaches. Additionally, there are specific drugs for treating migraines, mainly the triptan class of medications. The second aspect is that patients need to focus on resting and maintaining a quiet environment. A quiet environment plays a very important role in the management of migraines. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should be taken under the guidance of a professional physician, and blind medication should be avoided.)

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai

Traditional Chinese Medicine

57sec

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Can acupuncture be used for migraines?

For migraine, such as some primary migraines, acupuncture can be used for treatment and has certain efficacy. It can alleviate the symptoms of headache, reduce the intensity of pain, and decrease the frequency of pain episodes. Generally, for migraines, some local acupoints are selected, such as Fengchi, Jia Che, Si Zhu Kong, and Shuai Gu for acupuncture. If the pain is very severe, electroacupuncture can sometimes be used to enhance the effect of acupuncture to achieve the effects of unblocking meridians and relieving pain. Of course, acupoints are also chosen based on the patient's condition to treat migraines. For instance, migraines caused by liver qi stagnation would involve selecting acupoints that soothe the liver and regulate qi, such as Qi Men and Tai Chong, to help treat the migraines.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 3sec

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Can migraines be cured?

From the current medical development perspective, it is very difficult to completely cure migraines. Migraine is a disease that is prone to attacks, primarily caused by dysfunction of certain blood vessels. Some also believe that abnormal changes in the trigeminal ganglion can also lead to migraines. Migraines are prone to recurrence, and can be triggered by fatigue, poor sleep, bad mood, anxiety, and depression. When a migraine attack occurs, the pain can be quite severe, generally ranging from moderate to severe, accompanied by significant nausea, vomiting, and other clinical manifestations, and a feeling of vascular pulsation during the headache. The treatment plan mainly involves the administration of pain relief medications. If migraine attacks are frequent and the pain during attacks is severe, severely affecting daily life, preventive treatment with medication can be given. These medications can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, but achieving a complete cure remains very challenging.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao

Neurology

52sec

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Can you drink alcohol with a migraine?

Patients with migraines can appropriately drink some white liquor or beer, which is generally not a problem, but they must not drink red wine. This is because red wine and dairy products, such as cheese, can induce migraine attacks. Additionally, pickled foods like pickled vegetables contain nitrites, which can also trigger migraine attacks; therefore, it is best to avoid pickled foods as much as possible. Typically, before a migraine attack, there is a precursor symptom where vision changes occur. After these precursor symptoms disappear, migraine symptoms emerge. During a migraine attack, oral pain relievers can be taken for symptomatic treatment. Some patients may find relief on their own a few hours after not taking medicine. Symptoms may recur, so it is generally advised to identify and avoid these triggers to prevent migraine attacks.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 4sec

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Can migraine be treated with hot compress?

Patients with migraines are not advised to use heat compresses, as the heat may promote the dilation of blood vessels both inside and outside the skull, possibly worsening the migraine or even triggering an attack. Some people may experience migraines when taking hot baths, which is based on the same principle. Migraines are primarily caused by a dysfunction in the constriction and dilation of blood vessels, resulting in severe pain that is typically moderate to severe in intensity. The pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, a pulsing sensation in the blood vessels, and clinical symptoms such as photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound). In terms of treatment, it is important to rest and provide the patient with a quiet environment, free from loud noises and bright lights. Appropriate pain relief medications should be taken, and if nausea and vomiting occur, antiemetic medications should be administered as well. Most symptoms will quickly subside, but it is important to focus on prevention.