Migraine (from Latin hemicrania (hemicrania) - half of the head) is a benign chronic neurological disease, manifested by intense throbbing pain in the eye, forehead, temple, usually on one side of the head. The disease may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, lethargy and drowsiness after the attack.

It is worth noting that hemicrania is a benign disease, and therefore does not lead to either organic brain damage or stroke. Described by Hippocrates, it has been known since ancient times as a disease of active people who intensively engage in mental work.

Causes of migraine

Since migraine is hereditary, its first attacks may appear in childhood or adolescence. It has been proven that women suffer from this type of headache three times more often than men. This is due to the direct dependence of attacks of this type of cephalalgia on female hormones. For the same reason, migraine stops attacking after menopause, in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and after 50 years it practically does not occur (including men).

How does hemicrania occur?

The mechanism of hemicrania is described as a wave of electrical excitability (scientists call it extended cortical depression), provoked by neurons that conduct pain impulses from certain structures of the head. As a result, narrowing occurs, and then dilation and inflammation of the vessels of the meninges, which causes the release of inflammatory mediators. They, in turn, irritate the endings of the trigeminal nerve, which gives rise to headaches.

4 Stages of migraine and their symptoms

An attack of hemicrania includes four stages, each of which has its own symptoms. The order of stages for each attack may be different.

1. Prodromal (prodrome) stage.

According to a number of studies, the estimated number of migraine sufferers is up to 38% of the entire planet's population. The prodromal stage occurs in only half of this number of people. They are depressed, irritable, or, conversely, full of strength and energy several hours or days before the onset of a headache. Some patients anticipate the exact timing of an attack of hemicrania.

2. Aura.

Aura is a set of symptoms of neurological diseases that foreshadow the onset of hemicrania or occur at the very beginning. It does not always recur during an attack of cephalalgia, lasting from 10 to 30 minutes. It manifests itself primarily as visual symptoms, but many patients also experience symptoms in the extremities (starting in the fingers of one hand with tingling/numbness/weakness and continuing to spread throughout the entire hand). One of the symptoms of this stage is difficulty in finding the right words.

3. Headache.

It is localized mainly on the side of the temple or in the forehead area and lasts up to 2-3 days. The pain is very strong, pulsating in nature and intensifies with movement. Sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting triggered by irritants such as certain odors, light or noise.

4. Stage of resolution of hemicrania.

Once the headache ends, the feeling of weakness and fatigue may return. Full recovery will occur within a day.

Complications of hemicrania

One of the common complications is drug abuse, which occurs when trying to relieve a migraine attack. Excessive intake of painkillers (of different groups) itself provokes headaches. This kind of vicious circle inevitably leads to a chronic form of migraine.

Loss of performance and decreased quality of life during cephalalgia attacks.