Everything You Need to Know About Migraines [INFOGRAPHIC]
About 1 billion people worldwide suffer from migraines. It is 3 times more common in women than in men.
What is a Migraine Headache?
Migraine is paroxysmal ailment. It is a severe headache, usually on one side of the head, which is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting along with sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine headaches usually lasts for a minimum of 4 hours, but can go on for a few days at a stretch.
Types of Migraine
- Migraine with Aura (a series of neurological disturbances that occurs just before the headache starts)
- Migraine without Aura
- Menstrual Migraine
- Migraine without Headache
- Abdominal Migraine
- Basilar Migraine
Early Warning Signs
- Hyperactivity
- Tiredness
- Yawning
- Irritability
- Craving for specific foods, especially chocolate
- Feeling depressed
- Frequent urination
Common Migraine Symptoms
- Irritability
- Nausea & vomiting
- Throbbing pain on one side of the head
- Sensitivity to light & sound
Migraine with Aura Symptoms
- Blind spots
- Seeing zigzag patterns
- Seeing flashing lights
- Hallucinations
- Overall weakness
- Trouble speaking
Causes of Migraines
- Change in the brain’s blood vessels
- Inflamed brain cells
- Electrolyte imbalance due to overstimulation of the brain
- Head or neck trauma
- Depression
- Stress
- Passed down genetically
Foods that should be avoided if you have a migraine
- Peanut Butter
- Chocolate
- Cheese
- Beer
- Wine
- Fruits containing high tannin viz. grapefruit, guava, apricots and pineapples
- Coffee
- Soy sauce & MSG (Monosodium glutamate)
Food that should be included in your diet
- Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids viz. nuts, flax seeds and fish
- Food rich in magnesium viz. figs, dates, sweet potatoes, spinach and yoghurt
- Lean protein viz. poultry, wild-caught fish, legumes and beans
- Vitamin B -rich foods viz. green leafy vegetables
