Not only headache… the body gives these 7 hidden signals before migraine! Do not ignore even by mistake, know the 4 steps, triggers and when it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately.

Due to today’s stressful lifestyle, habit of working on screens till late night, irregular eating habits and lack of sleep, the problem of headache is being seen in every household. Often, whenever a severe headache occurs, people consider it to be normal fatigue or gas pain and take any painkiller and get involved in their daily routine. But if your headache is coming back again and again, there is a feeling of hammering in any part of the head and along with it symptoms like vomiting or darkness in front of the eyes emerge, then it is not a normal headache but ‘Migraine’ It is possible According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, migraine is one of the world’s third most common and disabling neurological diseases. Medical experts say that migraine pain is not limited to the head only, but it affects the entire body and nervous system. The biggest thing is that many hours or days before the pain starts, our body starts giving many subtle and hidden warning signals, which are very important to be identified in time.

Migraine is not just a headache, a neurological disorder: What is the science behind it?

According to medical science, migraine is a chronic condition caused by chemical and neurological changes in the nerves and blood vessels of the brain. When nerve fibers in the brain become overstimulated, they release chemicals such as serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Due to this, the blood vessels of the brain get swollen and throbbing or pulsating pain occurs. In a normal tension headache, mild or moderate pressure is felt on both sides of the head and it goes away in a few hours, whereas the pain of migraine can last from 4 hours to 72 hours (3 days) and completely paralyzes daily functioning.

The body gives these signals before the head explodes: Know the 4 main stages of migraine

Migraine attack does not come suddenly, rather it passes through four different phases (Phases of Migraine). It is not necessary that all the stages are seen in every patient, but by understanding them the intensity of the attack can be reduced:

• 1. Prodrome Phase – Early Warning: This is 24 to 48 hours before the pain starts. During this time, problems like sudden strong desire to eat sweet or salty food (food cravings), unexpected changes in mood, excessive irritability, constant yawning, stiffness in the neck and frequent urination are seen.

• 2. Aura (Aura Phase – Visual and sensory illusion): About 20 to 30 percent of migraine patients experience aura symptoms just 20 to 60 minutes before the pain begins. This includes flashing lights in front of the eyes, seeing zig-zag lines, blind spots in vision, a feeling of pins and needles in the face or hands, and difficulty speaking.

• 3. Attack (Attack Phase – Main Pain): This is the most painful stage of migraine. Unbearable throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea, vomiting, and extreme discomfort from bright lights and sounds.

• 4. Postdrome Phase – Migraine Hangover: This phase after the pain subsides can last for up to 24 hours. In this, the patient experiences extreme weakness, dizziness, mental fog and the body feels broken.

Don’t ignore these 7 hidden and unusual symptoms of migraine.

Headache is the most prominent symptom during migraine, but apart from this, many other abnormal changes are also seen in the body which people often do not pay attention to:

• Intense irritation with light, loud noises and smells (Photophobia & Phonophobia): A person suffering from migraine starts feeling severe nervousness and sharp pricking in the head due to normal room light, mobile screen, TV sound or even the smell of any perfume or tadka.

• Nausea, vomiting and stomach upset: There is a deep connection between migraine and our digestive system (Gut-Brain Axis). Stomach cramps, gas, nausea and vomiting are very common during pain. In children it is also called ‘abdominal migraine’.

• Stiffness in neck, shoulders and jaw: Many people mistake neck and shoulder pain for cervical spondylitis, although it is the most common symptom of the prodrome phase of migraine.

• Sudden mood changes and severe anxiety: Feeling suddenly extremely sad, depressed, or overexcited for no reason is a sign of the neurochemical changes of migraine.

• Constant yawning and unnecessary extreme fatigue: Yawning non-stop throughout the day despite getting adequate sleep and feeling a severe lack of energy in the body indicates fluctuations in dopamine levels.

• Numbness in hands, feet and face (Paresthesia): A feeling like ants crawling on the fingers, lips or tongue due to blood flow and signaling in the veins being affected.

• Unbearable strain and watering behind the eyes: Migraine pain is often concentrated just behind the eye or near the temple, causing constant watering from the eye.

Migraine Triggers: Pain flares up suddenly due to these 5 habits and reasons

The factors that provoke a migraine attack are called ‘triggers’. More than half of attacks can be prevented if you recognize your triggers:

• Stress and Irregular Sleep Cycle: Excessive mental pressure, too little sleep or sleeping too long on weekends are the biggest triggers of migraine.

• Factors related to eating habits: Fasting, dehydration, excessive caffeine intake (tea/coffee) or sudden caffeine withdrawal, aged cheese, processed meat and junk food containing monosodium glutamate (MSG).

• Changes in weather and atmospheric pressure: Sudden exposure to bright sunlight, humid weather, change in barometric pressure during thunderstorms can trigger migraine pain.

• Hormonal changes (in women): The risk of migraine in women is three times higher than in men due to the drop in estrogen hormone levels just before periods or during ovulation. This is called ‘menstrual migraine’.

• Fast Screen Time and Blue Light: Keeping your eyes glued to the bright screen of laptop, mobile or tablet for hours without a break causes the nerves of the eyes to become irritated.

When is it necessary to immediately go to the doctor? ‘Red Flag’ warning sign

It is not necessary that every headache be only migraine. Some conditions may be a sign of life-threatening brain disorders (such as brain hemorrhage, aneurysm, or tumor). If you feel any of the following ‘red flag’ symptoms, contact a neurologist or the nearest emergency hospital without wasting a minute:

• Thunderclap Headache: A headache that starts suddenly like thunder and reaches its peak unbearable intensity within 1 minute.

• Fever and neck turning: High fever with headache, unbearable stiffness in the neck and confused state of mind, which can be symptoms of meningitis.

• Weakness or paralysis in one part of the body: Hanging of one side of the face, lack of strength in arms or legs, stammering voice (symptoms of stroke).

• New headache after age 50: If you never had a severe headache till the age of 50 and suddenly start complaining of severe pain.

• Pain after head injury: Headache that increases hours or days after an accident or head injury.

Easy home and medical remedies for relief and prevention of migraine pain

There is no single magical cure for migraine, but it can be completely controlled with lifestyle improvements and the right treatment:

• Lie down in a quiet and dark room during an attack: As soon as you feel pain, immediately switch off your mobile, turn off the bright lights and rest in a quiet, cool room with your eyes closed.

• Cold or Hot Compress: Placing an ice pack on the forehead or behind the neck reduces the swelling of blood vessels and provides immediate relief from pain.

• Hydration and Magnesium Rich Diet: Drink plenty of water. Include foods rich in magnesium and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in your diet, such as spinach, pumpkin seeds, almonds, bananas and whole grains.

• Maintain a Migraine Diary: Note down in a diary when you had pain, what you ate that day and how many hours of sleep you got. This will make it easier to identify your personal triggers.

• Medical consultation and medicines: Triptans, beta-blockers or new age anti-CGRP drugs should be taken only on the advice and prescription of a neurologist. Taking excessive painkillers without medical advice increases the risk of ‘Medication Overuse Headache’ (MOH).

Ignoring migraine as a normal headache can be costly for your health and mental peace. Recognize the early signals given by the body, bring discipline in your lifestyle and seek timely help from a specialist doctor if needed to live a healthy, active and pain-free life.