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Migraine
Migraine continues to hurt for several days.
Migraine headaches that persist for several days might be a sign of a migraine condition. It's essential to handle this promptly to alleviate pain and improve the patient's quality of life. The following treatments are recommended for such patients. First, it's crucial to take pain-relief medication as soon as possible. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. If the pain remains severe and the effect is not apparent after taking these, one could use specific migraine medications like ergot preparations or triptans. Additionally, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers may be used, which can also produce good results. Migraine patients often suffer from sleep disorders, anxiety, and irritability. It might be appropriate to administer benzodiazepines, which can also benefit headache relief. (Please use medication under professional medical guidance and do not self-medicate.)
Can you drink alcohol with a migraine?
Patients with migraines can appropriately drink some white liquor or beer, which is generally not a problem, but they must not drink red wine. This is because red wine and dairy products, such as cheese, can induce migraine attacks. Additionally, pickled foods like pickled vegetables contain nitrites, which can also trigger migraine attacks; therefore, it is best to avoid pickled foods as much as possible. Typically, before a migraine attack, there is a precursor symptom where vision changes occur. After these precursor symptoms disappear, migraine symptoms emerge. During a migraine attack, oral pain relievers can be taken for symptomatic treatment. Some patients may find relief on their own a few hours after not taking medicine. Symptoms may recur, so it is generally advised to identify and avoid these triggers to prevent migraine attacks.
The causes of migraine
Migraine is a very common type of headache in neurology, and the causes of migraines mainly include the following aspects. The first aspect, it may be caused by the dysfunction of vasoconstriction and dilation. Constriction of the blood vessels inside the skull leads to the precursor of migraine, and then dilation leads to the onset of the headache. The second reason to consider is that migraines may be caused by the cortical spreading depression. The third reason, it may also be due to trigeminal ganglion lesions causing migraine attacks, the specific mechanism of which is actually not very clear. The occurrence of a migraine also has some triggers, for example, consuming cheese, pickled products, chocolate, and wine can all potentially trigger migraines, which should be avoided.
migraine symptoms
The typical symptoms of migraine include unilateral pulsating headaches, usually located in the temporal area, where the patient can feel a pronounced throbbing of blood vessels. However, some patients may experience bilateral fluctuating headaches; bilateral headaches should not exclude the diagnosis of migraines. Patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and clinical manifestations such as aggravation of headache during routine activities, and may also exhibit symptoms of restlessness and unease. Additionally, some patients may experience visual auras, such as flashing lights or black spots in front of their eyes, before a migraine attack.
What to do about migraines?
Migraine prevalence is relatively high, and for those experiencing migraines, the following treatments are recommended: First, it is essential to maintain a calm emotional state and avoid excessive stress. Secondly, medication can be used for treatment. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used and are effective for many patients. However, if there is no relief after taking these, or if the pain is very severe, medications specifically for treating migraines such as ergot derivatives and triptans may be prescribed. Third, if the migraine is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, antiemetic drugs can be used. Additionally, if the patient with migraine also experiences significant restlessness or anxiety, an appropriate amount of sedative medication can be applied. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can I wash my hair if I have a migraine?
Patients with migraines should avoid washing their hair during an attack. Water that is too hot or too cold can stimulate the dilation or spasm of cerebral blood vessels, potentially worsening migraine symptoms. Therefore, it is advised not to wash hair during a migraine attack, though it is fine during remission periods. During a migraine attack, symptomatic oral pain relievers and medications to alleviate vascular spasms can be used for treatment. It is important to prevent migraines by avoiding staying up late and overexertion. Additionally, certain foods known to trigger migraines should be avoided, including foods containing nitrites such as leftovers, pickled vegetables, and other preserved foods which may contain nitrites. Foods like red wine and cheese can also trigger migraines and should be consumed with caution. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
What should I do if I have a migraine attack?
Migraine attacks do not pose a significant risk to one's health. Therefore, during an attack, it is appropriate to take symptomatic oral pain relief and antiemetic medications for treatment, such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules and metoclopramide tablets. These medications provide symptomatic relief. However, it is essential to confirm that the symptoms are due to a migraine and not conditions like cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage, which are acute cerebrovascular diseases. If it is one of these acute cerebrovascular diseases, taking these pain relievers could delay the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Migraines are often triggered by certain foods, so it is best to avoid preserved foods, such as pickled vegetables that contain nitrates, which can trigger migraines. Other foods like cheese and red wine can also trigger migraines and should be avoided as much as possible. Additionally, it is important to rest properly, avoid staying up late, and try to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. (Please consult a professional physician before using any medication.)
Can acupuncture be used for migraines?
For migraine, such as some primary migraines, acupuncture can be used for treatment and has certain efficacy. It can alleviate the symptoms of headache, reduce the intensity of pain, and decrease the frequency of pain episodes. Generally, for migraines, some local acupoints are selected, such as Fengchi, Jia Che, Si Zhu Kong, and Shuai Gu for acupuncture. If the pain is very severe, electroacupuncture can sometimes be used to enhance the effect of acupuncture to achieve the effects of unblocking meridians and relieving pain. Of course, acupoints are also chosen based on the patient's condition to treat migraines. For instance, migraines caused by liver qi stagnation would involve selecting acupoints that soothe the liver and regulate qi, such as Qi Men and Tai Chong, to help treat the migraines.
Which part to massage for migraine?
Migraine is a clinical symptom where the patient perceives pain. Which areas should we massage? This depends on specific clinical symptoms of the patient. For example, if the pain occurs in the forehead, we would select acupuncture points on the forehead such as Yangbai and Zanzhu, including Sizhukong and Jingming. For distal points, we can choose Neiting to massage. Of course, if the pain is at the top of the head, we can select local points like Baihui and Tongtian, and choose Xingjian for distal points for massage. If the pain is on the sides of the head, we would select the wrist bone and Sizhukong, and then choose Waiguan for distal massage.
Which area is moxibustion applied for migraines?
Migraines can be relieved through moxibustion by targeting specific acupoints to alleviate headache symptoms. Firstly, local acupoints can be selected; for migraines, you can use the Ah-Shi points, and also massage points such as the temples, Si Zhu Kong, Jiao Sun, Shuai Gu, and Feng Chi. Additionally, based on differential diagnosis, distant acupoints may be chosen. For instance, if the migraine is caused by external pathogens, add Feng Chi and Feng Fu points. If caused by phlegm and turbidity disturbances, add Feng Long and Zu San Li to clear phlegm and reduce turbidity. For migraines due to deficiency of qi and blood, add Qi Hai, Xue Hai, and Zu San Li to nourish yin and replenish qi, with the aim of treating deficiencies and alleviating pain.