Symptoms of Migraine

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on November 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
46sec home-news-image

What causes migraines?

Migraine is a relatively common disease, and the possible causes of this disease are as follows: First, it may be related to genetics, with about 60% of migraines being familial, which strongly suggests that genes may be significantly related to the onset of migraines; Second, it is also clearly related to certain internal environments and hormone levels. For example, some women experience migraine attacks during menstruation. Additionally, the triggers for attacks also include drinking alcohol, consuming vasodilator drugs, eating chocolate, and consuming food additives containing sodium glutamate. The pathogenesis of this disease is not yet very clear, and it may be related to vascular dysfunction.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
44sec home-news-image

How many days can a migraine recover?

For most cases of migraines, patients generally recover within three days. If migraine-specific medications are administered, recovery can be faster, with symptoms significantly alleviated within a day. If a migraine persists for more than three days without recovery, it is known as a status migraine, and specific migraine medications need to be used, such as ergot preparations or triptan drugs, which are effective. Some patients with prolonged migraine duration may need sedatives and drugs to reduce intracranial pressure for symptomatic treatment. Patients with migraines must ensure adequate rest, ensure good sleep, and maintain stable emotions. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
56sec home-news-image

What should I do if I always have migraines?

Migraine is a disease that severely affects quality of life. During a migraine attack, patients experience moderate to severe headaches, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and daily life is severely affected. Activities such as climbing stairs can progressively worsen the headache. If migraines occur frequently and severely affect daily life, it is advisable to undergo preventive treatment. Preventive medications primarily fall into three categories: the first category includes receptor blockers, the second category consists mainly of anti-epileptic drugs, and the third category comprises calcium channel blockers. These medications can effectively prevent the onset of migraines and can be taken under the advice of a doctor. Additionally, it is important to maintain a stable mood and ensure adequate sleep to prevent the onset of migraines.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
59sec home-news-image

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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
57sec home-news-image

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.