ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Migraine

What is migraine?

4 May 2021

It is a neurological disorder that manifests with an acute headache that can vary in intensity and respond differently depending on the case. Its duration can vary between a few hours or a few days, often accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sounds, and strong odors. 

The onset of this condition is usually between 12 and 46 years old, being more frequent in women. 

Migraine can be sporadic or occur several times in a week or a month. It is said to be a disease caused by abnormal activity in the brain, affecting blood flow and brain tissues.

Signs and symptoms Migraine

The following signs may appear before a migraine and can alert you:

  • Increased thirst and food cravings.
  • Feeling sleepy and yawning.
  • Changing mood.
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Trouble speaking.
  • Constipation.
  • Hypersensitivity to odors.
  • Increased urine volume.
  • Photosensitivity.
  • Tearing.
  • Stiff neck.

Risk factors:

Its origin is unknown, but it is believed that genetic and environmental factors play a significant role, together with brain and brain chemicals imbalances, including serotonin, which regulates pain in the nervous system.

Diagnosis and treatment Migraine

There is no specific test to help diagnose migraine, so your doctor will ask about your symptoms, frequency, and duration of the pain, as well as your family history of the condition. He or she will also perform a general physical examination to assess whether the headaches are caused by muscle tension or a brain disorder. If considered necessary, he or she will request a computed tomography or MRI of the brain.

Treatment consists of avoiding the frequency and severity of migraines, managing the factors that trigger them, including lifestyle changes, such as:

  • Controlling your stress.
  • Getting enough sleep and go to bed at the same time each night.
  • Avoiding excess alcohol and caffeine.
  • Avoiding being overweight and obese. 
  • Improving your eating habits.

The use of various drugs also helps prevent some migraines and make them less painful. 

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly professional and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Our mission is to provide you with comprehensive and multidisciplinary care programs for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of nervous system diseases, always focusing our activities on your safety.

Nervous system specialties

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine surgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Neurophysiology
  • Neuro-rehabilitation
  • Neuro-pathology
  • Interventional neuro-radiology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Neuro-otology
  • Epilepsy
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Neuroimaging

Related centers and departments Migraine

Fuentes: 

  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • aao.org
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medicalnewstoday.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Solano MA, Ramírez VX, Solano CA. Actualización de la migraña . Revista Médica Sinergia. 2020;5(04):1-11.
  • Romero CA, Brenes ZMJ, Jiménez VM. Migraña: tratamiento de crisis y farmacoterapia profiláctica . Revista Médica Sinergia. 2020;5(01):334.
  • Domínguez-Moreno R, Vega-Boada F, Mena-Arceo RG. Nuevos tratamientos contra la migraña. Med Int Mex. 2019;35(3):397-405.
  • Beas-Padilla RA, Hochman M, Mascareño-Guel A, et al. Cirugía para el control de migraña. Otorrinolaringología. 2018;63(4):165-172.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.