health and wellness
Understanding Migraines: Symptoms, Causes, Auras, and When to Seek Help
Last Updated on November 15, 2024 by Daily News Staff
Migraines are more than just bad headaches; they represent a complex neurological disorder that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. According to Dr. Amaal Starling, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, these debilitating episodes can cause severe throbbing pain, typically on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. In this article, we will explore the symptoms, causes, potential warning signs or auras, and guidance on when to consult a doctor if you or a loved one suffers from migraines.
What Are Migraines?
A migraine is characterized by severe head pain often compared to a pulsing or throbbing sensation. The duration of a migraine attack can vary, lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days, and the intensity can hinder daily activities. Auras, which serve as warning symptoms, may precede or accompany the migraine, evidenced by visual disturbances, tingling sensations, or difficulties with speech.
Symptoms of Migraines
Migraine symptoms generally unfold in four stages, although not everyone experiences all stages:
1. Prodrome Stage
This initial phase can occur one or two days before a migraine attack, with subtle changes that can serve as early warning signs:
- Constipation
- Mood swings (from depression to euphoria)
- Food cravings
- Neck stiffness
- Increased urination
- Fluid retention
- Frequent yawning
2. Aura Stage
Auras manifest as reversible symptoms affecting the nervous system and may include:
- Visual phenomena (seeing flashes of light, shapes, or blind spots)
- Vision loss
- Tingling sensations in the extremities or face
- Weakness or numbness (often localized to one side of the body)
- Difficulty speaking
Auras typically develop gradually and can last from a few minutes to an hour.
3. Attack Stage
The actual migraine attack lasts from 4 to 72 hours if untreated, with symptoms that may include:
- Unilateral or bilateral throbbing pain
- Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell or touch
- Nausea and vomiting
4. Post-drome Stage
Following a migraine attack, individuals may feel an emotional and physical hangover, such as exhaustion, confusion, or a heightened state of elation. Sudden head movements can sometimes trigger a recurrence of pain.
Causes and Triggers of Migraines
While the exact mechanisms that lead to migraines remain elusive, genetics and environmental factors are believed to play a significant role. Recent research suggests that changes in the brainstem’s interaction with the trigeminal nerve, a crucial pain pathway, could be a contributing factor. Imbalances in brain chemicals, notably serotonin, are also under investigation.
Common Triggers Include:
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in estrogen during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger migraines.
- Dietary Factors: Foods such as aged cheeses, salty snacks, or additives like MSG can serve as triggers.
- Stress and Sleep: Both excessive stress and sleep disturbances can provoke migraine episodes.
- Environmental Sensitivities: Bright lights, loud noises, and strong odors may act as triggers.
- Weather Changes: Alterations in weather or atmospheric pressure can initiate a headache.
Headaches vs Migraines? Migraines and headaches, while often confused, are distinct conditions characterized by different symptoms and underlying causes. A headache is usually a general term that encompasses various types of pain in the head, ranging from tension headaches, which are often caused by stress or muscle strain, to cluster headaches that occur in cyclical patterns. Migraines, on the other hand, are more severe and can be accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. They often last from a few hours to several days and can be triggered by factors like hormonal changes, certain foods, or environmental stressors. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, as the management strategies for migraines often require a multifaceted approach tailored to individual triggers and symptoms.
When to See a Doctor
If you experience frequent migraines or suspect your headaches are becoming more intense, keeping a record of your symptoms and their frequency is essential. This data can help facilitate a beneficial discussion with your healthcare provider. Moreover, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention in the following scenarios:
- A sudden, severe headache that feels like a “thunderclap.”
- Accompanied symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, confusion, or weakness, which may indicate a more severe condition.
- Any changes in the pattern of your headaches or new onset of headaches after age 50.
Food for Thought
Migraines can be challenging to navigate, but understanding their symptoms and causes empowers individuals to seek the appropriate care. If you or someone you know struggles with migraines, it’s vital to consult a healthcare professional, such as those at the Mayo Clinic, for diagnosis and personalized treatment options. By recognizing warning signs and potential triggers, individuals can take proactive steps toward managing this often debilitating condition.
Information about Migraines from the Mayo Clinic
- Migraine care at Mayo Clinic
- Migraines: Are they triggered by weather changes?
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Weathering migraines
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
5 Habits to Boost Immunity During Cold and Flu Season
(Feature Impact) Your immune system is your strongest ally during cold and flu season, working hard to keep you healthy as you start hearing those telltale coughs and sneezes all around. Help your body do its job well by adopting a few simple habits that naturally support its ability to fight off germs or recover faster.
Talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice then work on making these habits normal in your household.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise is like a wonder drug that can improve nearly every aspect of health and wellness. Physical activity increases blood flow, reduces long-term inflammation, helps immune cells circulate through the body to guard against invaders and may even flush bacteria out of your lungs and airways. Plan to fit at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise into each week, like a bike ride, brisk walk, yoga class or on-demand video workout.
Eat Foods That Support Immune Health
To keep your immune system fueled, experts recommend eating a varied diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil. Consider adding fresh grapes to your diet to enjoy benefits from their naturally occurring plant compounds.
Protecting the body starts all the way down at the cellular level, and grapes contain powerful polyphenols that support the health and function of cells. Studies indicate certain compounds in grapes, like resveratrol and flavonoids, support immune system function as well as brain, skin, GI and heart health.
These little fruits are easy to add to your diet, whether you enjoy sweet, juicy Grapes from California by the handful or toss them in a blender to make this California Grape Wellness Juice recipe. Support multiple aspects of wellness with the drink’s powerful combination of fruits and vegetables, delivering a variety of immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water helps clean your lymphatic system, which is responsible for producing special white blood cells that fight germs. It also keeps membranes in your nose and mouth moist, decreasing infection risk. If you struggle to drink enough, eating water-rich foods like grapes also helps you improve hydration.
Practice Good Germ Hygiene
To increase your odds of staying healthy during peak illness season, hearken back to the tried-and-true hygiene advice your parents might have tried to drill into your head as a kid. Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap, avoid touching your face while out and about, keep your distance from symptomatic people and disinfect commonly used surfaces like doorknobs when someone in the house or office is sick.
Sleep More, Stress Less
Before you start feeling stressed that you aren’t getting enough sleep, rest assured there are easy changes you can make to support your well-being in both areas. Try switching up your nightly routine to be oriented less around screens and more around calming activities that actually help you wind down, like yoga, meditation or reading.
Discover more health information and recipes at GrapesFromCalifornia.com.
California Grape Wellness Juice
Servings: 3 (1 cup each)
- 5 cups black or red Grapes from California
- 1/2 cup peeled raw beet slices
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 small carrot, peeled and sliced
- 1 piece fresh turmeric (1-inch), peeled and sliced or1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- In high-speed blender, puree grapes, beet slices, orange juice, lemon juice, carrot and turmeric until smooth.
- Pour through fine mesh sieve, stirring to extract as much juice as possible, about 3 cups. Stop when mixture starts to get thick. Enjoy immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes: This juice can also be added to iced tea or fizzy water.
Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories; 3 g protein; 58 g carbohydrates; 0.5 g fat (2% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.
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California Table Grape Commission
Food and Beverage
A Lesson in Kindness, Inclusion and How Kids Eat Differently
Kids Eat Differently: The school year brings new classmates, routines and opportunities for children to learn about people whose experiences may be different from their own. They could include friends who use a wheelchair, carry an inhaler or even receive nutrition through a feeding tube.
A Lesson in Kindness, Inclusion and How Kids Eat Differently
(Feature Impact) The school year brings new classmates, routines and opportunities for children to learn about people whose experiences may be different from their own. They could include friends who use a wheelchair, carry an inhaler or even receive nutrition through a feeding tube.
Watch this video to learn more
For families who rely on tube feeding, it is an essential part of daily life but is often understood only by those who experience it. That limited awareness can leave children who are tube fed and their families feeling isolated or unseen, according to Gerard Minor, a pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology specialist.
Parents can use everyday questions as opportunities to help children understand there are many ways people receive nourishment. Teachers, classmates, caregivers and communities can also help make tube feeding part of the everyday conversation around childhood rather than something that separates children from it.
“Helping children understand those differences early can encourage curiosity, kindness and inclusion,” Minor said.
To help bring greater awareness, understanding and representation to children and families who experience tube feeding every day, Compleat, a leader in tube feeding formulas, launched “What Is Better Than How,” featuring “Sesame Street’s” Elmo and his signature warmth and curiosity. The original song celebrates the many ways people eat. Some people eat with a fork, some use a spoon and some use a tube, reinforcing a simple message: What matters is not how you eat. What matters is that you are nourished, loved and included.
To hear the song, create a personalized version and learn more about the campaign, visit Compleat.com/WhatIsBetterThanHow.
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Health and Life Insurance
Lessons in Life Insurance: 4 Reasons Getting It May Be Easier Than You Think
Life is the most valuable thing you have – and like all valuable things, it should be insured. Even thinking about life insurance can be stressful, so it’s one of those things that’s easy to put off and tell yourself you’ll do another day. Consider these four ways to make getting life insurance simpler than you thought.
Lessons in Life Insurance: 4 Reasons Getting It May Be Easier Than You Think
(Feature Impact) Life is the most valuable thing you have – and like all valuable things, it should be insured. Even thinking about life insurance can be stressful, so it’s one of those things that’s easy to put off and tell yourself you’ll do another day.
If that’s how you feel, you aren’t alone. According to the 2026 Life Happens Life Insurance Survey, nearly half (46%) of U.S. adults have getting life insurance on their to-do list but plan to deal with it later or not at all. Confusion, procrastination and cost concerns are among the main reasons people kick this can down the road, according to 45% of respondents.
Yet the survey also uncovered an interesting disconnect: 69% of Americans said they personally know someone who had life insurance or whose family used a life insurance policy, most often a parent or parent figure (33%), but still haven’t made getting coverage a priority.
“Life insurance isn’t unfamiliar to most Americans,” Life Happens Executive Director Brian Steiner said. “The challenge is turning that awareness into action. People may think life insurance is something they can deal with later, but waiting can leave the people they love financially vulnerable. Getting started doesn’t have to be complicated, and professional guidance can help you find protection that fits your needs and budget.”
Consider these four ways to make getting life insurance simpler than you thought.
Watch this video to learn more
1. Find a policy that’s a fit.
Roughly 4 in 10 survey respondents reported feeling overwhelmed, anxious or some combination of both about planning for life insurance, with 12% citing thinking it’ll be too expensive as a reason they’ve delayed looking into, buying or updating life insurance.
The good news: There’s a policy that’s right for your current needs. It may be term life insurance, which provides protection for a specific period of time, like to cover a mortgage or tuition for children. There’s also permanent life insurance, which offers lifelong protection, as long as you pay the premiums.
2. Take advantage of digital tools
One-quarter of respondents said they’d be more likely to look into life insurance if they learned it was easier to get than they thought, and digital tools can help make that demand a reality.
It can take as little as two minutes to find out how much you need, for example, with the life insurance needs calculator from the nonprofit Life Happens. Just answer a few simple questions to estimate the amount of life insurance coverage you may need to take care of your family.
3. It’s about protection, not perfection.
Part of the anxiety around life insurance may be the perception that it should be perfect. For more than 1 in 5 survey participants, the plan is to seriously look at it when they feel more financially stable, and another 12% simply said they’ll do it when they’re older.
However, life insurance doesn’t have to check all the boxes for every stage of your life – you can find what works for your family right now then adjust as things change over time.
4. Professional help is available.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle to tackling life insurance is the feeling that you’re in it alone. Overall, 55% of respondents said if they learned life insurance may be easier to get than they expected, they’d be more likely to start the process.
With professional help only a few clicks away, you can rest assured you’re on the path to a life insurance fit that’s right for you by visiting findapro.lifehappens.org.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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