Migraine typically involves moderate/severe pain, usually on one side of the head. Patients commonly complain of a throbbing (pulsating) and persistent headache that becomes more severe with physical exertion, such as going up the stairs or walking up a steep hill.
Migraines affect about 1 billion people globally. According to a report, between 1.4% and 2.2% of the world’s adult population suffer from chronic migraines.
In Africa, migraine incidence is slightly lower than in Western nations where approximately 18% of women and 6% of men experience at least one episode of a migraine during a year.
Therefore, knowing the cause is the key to preventing migraine, and proper treatment helps to reduce it suffering.
Migraine triggers
The cause of migraines is not yet known. We suspect that they result from abnormal activity in the brain; genetics and environmental factors appear to play a role. However, the following triggers are likely to set off migraines:
Skipping meals and Dehydration
Skipping and irregular meals patterns or fasting can trigger attacks. Also, dehydration is a potential trigger. Food additives such as aspartame and others, found in many foods, may trigger migraines as well as alcoholic and caffeinated beverages may trigger migraines.
Physical causes
Tiredness and insufficient sleep, including sexual activity, and physical overexertion can cause a migraine. Low blood sugar and jet lag can also act as triggers
Emotional triggers
Stress, depression, anxiety, excitement, and shock can trigger a migraine
Medications
Several medications such as such as oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, some sleeping pills, and other can aggravate migraine signs.
Hormonal changes in women
They may begin just before or shortly after the onset of menstruation. Others have an increased tendency to develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause.
Sensory stimuli
Bright lights or flickering screens and sun glare can induce migraines, as can loud sounds. Strong smells — including perfume, paint thinner, second-hand smoke and others — can trigger migraines in some people.
Changes in the environment
A change of weather or barometric pressure, stuffy rooms, and temperature changes can prompt a migraine.
Who is Likely to Have a Migraine?
Several factors make you more prone to having migraines, including:
- Family history. If you have a family member with migraines, then you have a good chance of developing them too. In fact, 90% of migraine patients have a family history of migraines. Parents are the best predictor of one’s risk.
- Migraines can begin at any age, though the first often occurs during adolescence. Migraines tend to peak during your 30s and gradually become less severe and less frequent in the following decades.
- Women are three times more likely to have migraines. Migraines tend to affect boys more than girls during childhood, but by the time of puberty and beyond, more girls are affected.
- Hormonal changes. If you are a woman who has migraines, you may find that your headaches begin just before or shortly after the onset of menstruation. They may also change during pregnancy or menopause. Migraines generally improve after menopause.
