Migraine in Women
By: Tsou JinyeuTotal Views: 346, Word Count: 531,
Migraine is defined as a debilitating condition which is characterized by mild to severe headaches and nausea. Migraine in women is 3 times more common than in men. It is a unilateral pain in which only one side of the head pains which is almost intolerable. During migraine, any light or sound increases the pain. It is pulsating in nature and may last from 4 to 72 hours.
Prior to puberty, boys experience more migraines than girls. But after the age of 11, majorly girls start experiencing more migraines than boys. Survey shows that during adulthood the ratio of migraine pain of women to men is 3:1.
Symptoms of Migraine
The major symptom for migraine is recurring severe headache and is associated with autonomic symptoms. The severity, duration and the frequency of migraine attacks are variable. Mainly, there are four phases to a migraine attack. These are:
- The Prodrome Phase: Almost 40% to 60% of the migraine patients show symptoms of this phase. This phase generally occurs several hours or days before the headache. This phase shows symptoms like depression, fatigue, excessive sleepiness, stiff muscles, carving for certain food, hot ears, increased urination, constipation and other visceral symptoms.
- The Aura Phase: Almost 20% to 30% of patients show symptoms of this phase. This phase either precedes or accompanies the migraine attack. It affects the sensory and neurological events.
- The Pain Phase: This is the phase when the typical migraine headache occurs. The pain may last for 4 to 72 hours in adults and 1 to 48 hours in children.
- The Postdrome Phase: This phase occurs after the main headache gets over. Some patients report for a sore feeling and some for a impaired thinking for a few days after the migraine attack. The patient may show gastrointestinal symptoms, cognitive difficulties, weakness, head pain and mood changes.
Causes of Migraine
The causes of migraine are still unknown. Generally it occurs due to some triggers like stress, fatigue and hunger. Migraine in women is more common than men due to fluctuations in the sex hormone estrogen. Most women experience their first migraine pain on the onset of menstruation. The incidence increases with age and is highest at the age of 40. But with some fortunate women, the migraine pain decreases with aging and menopause. Women using oral contraceptives (OCs) will be surprised to know that this acts as a triggering agent for migraine.
Prevention of Migraine
There are no drugs that can totally cure migraine. But it can be managed with some preventive treatments. This includes nutritional supplements, taking certain drugs, alteration in lifestyle like avoiding migraine triggers and increased exercise. The main aim behind preventive therapy is to reduce the pain, frequency and duration of migraines. Some of the drugs used during migraine include flunarizine, verapimil, tricyclics and topiramate. It is recommended to consult a good doctor before using any of these medicines.
The pain of migraine is quite severe. But little care and precautions can help a lot to get relief from migraine in women as well as in men.
About the Author
Dr. Cuthbert is a well known endocrinologist who has done his graduation from Vassar College – Poughkeepsie in New York and MD from Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville. His area of interests are bone densitometry, diabetes and nutrition. Nowdays he is working as a medical endocrinologist at NewYork Presbyterian hospital.
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