Not all headaches are migraines

It is the time of the year, when doctors tend to see a rise in migraine cases among the patients. Owing to the rising temperature and the exposure to sunlight, migraine, a severe and painful headache that can be frequent and infrequent, is a common condition. As much as 5 to 10 per cent of the population suffers from headache, out of which one to two per cent suffer from migraine headaches. 

However, since most of the times, every kind of headache, including the migraine is passed as a normal headache and many don’t seek timely help, says Dr V Nagarajan, senior consultant, Neurology, SIMS Hospital. 

Migraines and sinus headaches have varying symptoms. In the former, symptoms include nasal discharge, pain, fever and a reduced sense of smell and in the latter, it is associated with nausea and vomiting, apart from sensitivity to light. Migraine headaches are multifactorial and though the real causes of it are unknown, the triggers can be ascertained. Says Dr K Lakshminarayanan, Paediatric Neurologist. He adds, “These could be recurrent or infrequent. Some of the triggers are sleep deprivation, stress, exposure to extreme temperatures in peak winter or summers, caffeine addiction - in some cases it can be due to inadequate coffee consumption and in others, excess of it can be the trigger. For some strong smells also turn out to be a trigger, for example the fragrance of jasmines.” 

He adds that genetic factors are important. “If the person has a parent or a close relative with the condition, they are at more risk of developing it, when compared to another person without the history of the condition in the family,” he says. 

The constant hormonal changes in women make them susceptible to the condition, explain doctors. Most often boys and girls may have the same risk factors, till girls begin to menstruate, and hormones begin to fluctuate up and down. Dr Lakshminarayanan says, “It could be more during their menstrual cycles or on other occasions as well, as per the fluctuations of hormones.” 

That also explains why the headache tends to resolve once the women reaches menopause, when the hormone levels decrease. For those who have recurrent bouts of migraine headaches like twice a week or many times a month, rescue medication yields best results. Says Dr Lakshminarayanan, “They are put on paracetamol or ibuprofen that relieves them of the pain. However, painkiller abuse can itself be a cause for the headache, at times, when they consume it more often than needed, resulting in analgesia abuse headache”. 

There is preventive medication, which when taken for about three to six months can result in remission. 

Doctors say that the best form of prevention is avoiding the trigger. “If it is the heat, then one must make sure they are not exposed to the sunlight, or stay away from the smell or avoid consuming a few food items like chocolate in some cases,” he adds.

Cause of migraines is largely unknown. 

Migraines can be preceded by an aura of sensory disturbances followed by a severe one-sided headache. 

Approximately 10 million Indians suffer every year. 

Over-the-counter medications can reduce pain. 

Specific medications can help some.

Migraine tends to affect people between 15-55 years. But, doctors say that it is also prevalent among the age goup 6 - 10.

Some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headaches  such as allergies, light and stress.

A pounding headache 

Nausea, vomiting 

Light sensitivity