Migraine, generally divided into the following 2 types.
1 .Typical migraine
Periodic attacks with aura symptoms before the headache (such as blurred vision, flashing lights, eye swelling, photophobia, or with emotional instability).
Most of the headaches are around the eyes, temples, temporal frontal area, and a few are half or whole head pain. Its nature is mostly dull pain, which may be pulsating, i.e., with a throbbing sensation. The duration is mostly 4~6 hours, with long duration of more than 10 hours or even several days.
2.General type migraine
It accounts for about 80% of migraine. There are no aura symptoms before the onset of migraine, or only fatigue, loss of appetite, general discomfort, etc. It can be triggered by drinking coffee, alcohol, nervousness, hunger on an empty stomach, etc.
Migraine is 2~3 times more common in women than in men
The increasing number of women seeking medical attention for migraines has prompted the medical community to pay attention to the “close” relationship between migraines and women in particular.
In 2003, a national health interview survey revealed that about 15 percent of the population, including children, suffer from the disorder. The prevalence rate for women is now two to three times higher than for men. In general, one in five women suffer from migraine headaches, compared to one in 15 men.
Although there was a peak in individuals between the ages of 25-55 in both sexes, women still accounted for a higher percentage. The study also found that the difference in migraine prevalence occurred at age 30.2 years, decreasing from age 42. In women, prevalence declined sharply during menopause.
In addition to the higher incidence of migraine in women, women have been reported to experience more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense attacks than men. And women suffer from longer migraine attacks compared to men.
Therefore, migraines are particularly “female-favored” by gender.
Why women are more likely to suffer from migraines than men
A recent study has revealed the underlying mechanisms that cause migraines, explaining why women are more likely to suffer from migraines than men. The study, published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, suggests that sex hormones affect the cells surrounding the trigeminal nerve and the blood vessels attached to the head, and that estrogen is particularly important in sensitizing these cells to trigger migraines, with estrogen being at high levels in women of childbearing age.
Studies have shown that women have a significantly increased risk of migraine between the first 2 and 3 days of menstruation, which may be related to the concentration of estrogen and progesterone. In addition, the classification of headaches proposed by the International Headache Society Committee (2013) suggests that migraine without aura is usually associated with the menstrual cycle, thus classifying it as purely menstrual migraine, and menstruation-related migraine if it occurs only during the cycle.
More than 50% of women with migraines report menstrual-related migraines. Similar to menstruation, treatment involving intake of hormonal contraceptives is associated with a higher frequency of migraine events. The disease was reported to improve during pregnancy when estrogen and progesterone were 10 times higher than in the non-pregnant state.
Although the role of estrogen and other hormones in migraine is complex and more research is needed to understand it, focus on the relationship between estrogen and migraine. Current work relies on in vitro and animal models that do not readily translate to human migraineurs.
Ferrer-Montiel and his colleagues still see a promising future for drugs targeting migraine based on their current findings. They intend to continue their studies using preclinical human-based models that better reflect real patients. “If successful, we will provide better personalized medicine for migraine treatment,” he said.
What should we look for to prevent migraines?
An important aspect of migraine prevention is lifestyle modification as a way to reduce the frequency, duration and severity of attacks, such as.
1. Avoid mental tension and sleep deprivation
It is important to learn to self-regulate, reduce stress by listening to music, jogging, swimming, etc., as well as to ensure sleep, not to stay up late and not to be overly tired.
2.Avoid the diet that may induce migraine
Try to avoid these foods: alcohol, coffee and some refreshing drinks, as well as chocolate, cured and smoked meats (such as sausage and ham), foods containing a lot of MSG, ice cream, etc., which may trigger migraine; and five-flower tea and Qing tian liang, which are useful for relieving migraine, can be consumed appropriately.
3.Adapt to climate change
Migraine may be triggered when it is cloudy, when the weather turns hot or when there is lightning and thunder. When encountering these weather, you should learn to self-regulate to avoid being affected.