Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Headaches ranging from moderate to severe intensity worsen with any physical movements or activities
- Throbbing or a pressured pain
- Experiencing this kind of pain on one or both sides of the head
- Feeling nauseated
- Feeling dizzy
- Experiencing sensitivity toward sounds, smells, and light
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
- Noting an increase in the number of headaches or migraine attacks
- Using prescription options to manage the headaches
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
- Focusing on maintaining a healthy BMI level
- Introducing doctor-recommended exercises in the fitness routine
- Following a structured and sustainable meal plan to eliminate triggers of migraine (Please note fasting and skipping meals can trigger headaches)
- Learning calming techniques like yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises to control stress
- Staying well hydrated
- Fixing an improper sleep schedule (7 to 8 hours of rest is recommended)
- Starting appropriate treatment for any existing health conditions like mood disorders, anxiety, and depression
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
- Treating mild migraines with the right dosage, as recommended by the doctor
- Treating potential side effects like nausea with recommended options
Other techniques include:
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation
This non-invasive technique makes use of a magnetic coil to stimulate or influence the brain’s electrical activity, which can help reduce the pain caused by migraines. - Transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation
This technique uses a device that activates low-level electrical current to stimulate the upper branches of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for communicating pain to the body. This method helps reduce the pain associated with migraines.
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
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Important facts about night sweats
Read moreSleep hyperhidrosis commonly referred to as night sweats results in totally drenched sheets and sleepwear regardless of the fact that the sleeping environment is quite pleasant and refreshing. This issue is common with around three percent of the people and can be the indication of an underlying serious illness.
The most common triggers of night sweats
There are quite some causes for night sweats to occur the main reasons being
- Different hormone imbalances: There occur various kinds of hormone imbalances triggered by various factors like diabetes, menopause, puberty, thyroid issues and pregnancy. All these are possible triggers of night sweats.
- Infections: One of the most common infections that can trigger night sweats is tuberculosis. Other triggers include infections like influenza, HIV and other types of febrile illnesses.
- Obesity: This condition also causes night sweats.
- Gastro oesophagal Reflux Disease: Commonly known as GERD, night sweating is one of the most common indications apart from heart burns which are another symptom of this disorder.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is a disorder that causes the constriction of your throat causing breathing issues. This condition can trigger night sweating in patients if left untreated.
- Cancer: Night sweating can also be an early indication of cancer especially leukaemia or lymphoma.
- The adverse effect of certain mediations: A lot of medications like diabetic medicines, antidepressants, hormone medicines and steroids can trigger night sweating. The common medicines that trigger this side effect include Bupropion, Albuterol, Glipizide, Ciprofloxacin, Trazadone, Esomeprazole, Atorvastatin and Amlodipine to mention a few of them.
How to treat night sweating
The treatment for this condition depends on the underlying cause that triggers the condition of the night sweating. It can be treated either by setting right the hormonal imbalances that have been triggering the issue or adjustment of certain medicines that have been responsible for this adverse effect. If not, finding out the cause of this condition and providing the required treatment accordingly is the next option.
Suppose the doctor does not find out any direct cause for this condition, treating this includes managing and preventing these occurrences through various means that include
- Averting use of extremely warm blankets
- Sleeping in a very cool ambience
- Restraining from using alcohol or spicy food before retiring to bed.
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5 home remedies to stop the appearance of blood in urine
Read moreThere are various reasons why the different organs of our body can start malfunctioning, and though the disease doesn’t manifest itself till some time, certain symptoms do surface before the disease begins its full-fledged onslaught.
One such prominent symptom is the appearance of blood in urine which may be linked to different diseases. When an individual witnesses the presence of blood in urine, instead of dilly-dallying, he needs to seek medical help. The blood in urine symptom is a warning of serious conditions like kidney disease, kidney infections, sickle cell anemia, cancer of kidney, bladder or prostate, etc. However, before flying into a frenzy, the symptom of blood in urine can also suggest the presence of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
Here are some home remedies that are known to cure the blood in urine symptom, and that too, without any side-effects.
- Spinach and coconut water- One of the most common causes of the appearance of blood in urine is UTIs. What one needs in such cases is a powerful diuretic that can flush out the bacteria from the body. Mix some spinach juice with coconut water and drink this mixture twice a day till the infection clears. Once the infection subsides, the blood in urine too will disappear.
- Cranberry juice– Cranberry is known to possess antioxidants and is antibacterial in nature. It is instrumental in preventing the bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. It is quite potent when it comes to cleansing the bladder from the bacteria which triggers the symptom of blood in urine. A glass of cranberry juice a day will help reduce the presence of blood in urine.
- Baking soda- Baking soda works wonders in treating infections, especially of the urinary tract. It is antibacterial and is known to flush out the toxins from the body. Mix half a teaspoon baking soda in eight ounces of water. Mix it well and consume this potion regularly to avoid UTIs and fungal infections.
- Pumpkin seed oil- If the blood in urine symptom surfaces due to an enlarged prostate, pumpkin seed oil is the perfect remedy to contain this condition. Research has proven that regular consumption of pumpkin seed oil has helped in controlling the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
- Vitamin C- When the blood in urine symptom surfaces, it can be majorly attributed to UTIs. In such cases, it is advisable to increase the consumption of Vitamin C since it works wonders in increasing the immunity and makes the urine acidic, which makes it harder for the bacteria to grow.
So, try these home remedies when you spot blood in urine, and if it still persists, ensure that you visit a physician.