What Are the Symptoms of a Chronic Migraine?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s common for an average person to get at least 2-4 times episodes of migraines in a month. There is a big difference between a headache and a migraine since the latter is more painful and tends to cause more debilitating symptoms than a headache.

Often individuals who experience episodes of migraines are necessitated to take prescription drugs since over-the-counter headache medications are ineffective in relieving migraines symptoms. Please read on to learn more about migraines’ types, symptoms, causes, possible triggers, treatment, and complications.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF MIGRAINES?

Migraines can either be episodic or chronic. Episodic migraines (EM) typically last for several hours and may take weeks and even months before one experiences another migraine. On the other hand, chronic migraines (CM) tend to occur frequently and last for more extended periods without cessation of the symptoms.

Statistics provided by an American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study demonstrated that at least 17.1% and 5.6% of women and men, respectively, have episodic migraines more frequently than they have chronic migraines.

An estimated 1.3% and 0.5% of both American women and men, respectively, experience episodes of chronic migraines. Individuals who have EM are at risk of developing CM, though not all of them.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC MIGRAINE?

For one to be diagnosed with a chronic form of migraine, they must have a migraine lasting at least 15 days in a month, for a span of 3 consecutive months. It’s also mandatory that for a migraine to be graded as chronic migraine, it has to have 2 of the following migraine characteristics for a period of not less than 8 days in a month;

• Primarily affects one side of the head

• Results in one experiencing moderate to severe pain

• It causes one to experience a throbbing or a pulsating sensation of the brain on the affected side

• It comes as a result or is aggravated by one performing everyday physical activities such as walking or cleaning

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CHRONIC MIGRAINES?

The causative agents of migraines have not been fully understood up to date. But medical scholars and renowned researchers have scientifically theorized some of the causes of chronic migraines;

#1. UNDERLYING NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Researchers believe that medical conditions that affect one’s central nervous system may be a significant cause of one experiencing episodes of chronic migraines.

#2. IMBALANCED BODY CHEMICALS

For one’s brain to function optimally, an individual’s body chemicals shouldn’t be interrupted in any way. In the event that such chemicals are interrupted, then scientists believe that they may cause one to have bouts of chronic migraines.

#3. GENETIC PREDISPOSITION

Chances of one experiencing chronic migraines are increased if the individual comes from a family history of people who have had or have chronic migraines.

#4. VASCULAR ABNORMALITIES

The shape, size, or blood flow in your brain’s blood vessels greatly determines whether or not you are at risk of developing chronic migraine. Individuals with vascular abnormalities are most often at an increased risk of having CM.

#5. UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Underlying medical conditions such as meningitis, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, increased or decreased intracranial pressure (ICP), and inflammation or damage to the brain blood vessels are also some of the causes of chronic migraines.

WHAT CAN TRIGGER ONE TO GET A CHRONIC MIGRAINE?

Below are some of the most common triggers of chronic migraine;

• Unmanaged stress and anxiety

• Poor sitting, sleeping, and standing postures- cause a migraine by limiting blood supply through one’s neck

• Excessive use of caffeinated drinks

• Eating foods that are spicy, salty, aged, and those that contain artificial sweeteners and preservatives

• Hormonal changes-major cause of CM in women

• Medications such as vasodilators and overuse (using more than 3 days each week or 9 days each month) of prescription or over the counter headache meds

• Change in weather in terms of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure

• Flashing lights, strong odors (both pleasant and unpleasant), loud noises, and lack of enough sleep may also trigger one to get a chronic migraine

HOW DO DOCTORS TREAT CHRONIC MIGRAINES, AND WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF CHRONIC MIGRAINES?

Certified doctors may either prescribe you antimigraine meds such as Triptans or educate you about lifestyle modification, such as finding positive ways of managing anxiety and stress and adopting a healthy eating diet.

Anxiety, depression, and increased sleep disturbances are some of the most common complications people with chronic migraines experience.

WHERE CAN I GET HELP FOR CHRONIC MIGRAINE?

Suppose you or your loved one experiences any of the symptoms mentioned above; it’s advisable that you seek medical intervention from a certified doctor. You may also schedule an appointment with us by visiting our official website https://palmbeachresearch.com for an ethical, safe, and confidential migraine clinical study today.