Understanding Migraines: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Treatment Chicago IL
Understanding Migraines: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Treatment
At some point in their lives, 12 to 28 percent of people will be experience migraines, according to the European Journal of Neurology. What's more, in any given year, this common neurological disease will affect 6 to 15 percent of adult men, 14 to 35 percent of adult women, and approximately 4 to 5 percent of children under 12.
Spotting the Symptoms
Despite its prevalence, experts note that migraine is often misunderstood by sufferers, the general population, and even the medical community. Far from simply a severe headache, migraine is a larger neurological disease that can cause a range of symptoms during an attack, including fatigue, mood swings, food cravings, muscle stiffness, frequent urination, and loss of appetite.
The classic symptom, of course, is a headache, but it's important to note that a migraine headache is different from a common tension headache. With migraines, headaches can be severe enough to send the sufferer (also known as a migraineur) to a dark, quiet room until the pain subsides, which can take from a few hours to several days. These headaches may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, blurred vision, or visual aura (light spots). After an attack, the sufferer may experience fatigue, irritability, lightheadedness, malaise, or difficulty concentrating.
Avoiding the Triggers
According to experts, there are a number of triggers that, on exposure or withdrawal, may encourage migraine attacks in some people. Some of the most common triggers include:..
