Chronic Migraines – Symptoms and Management Options

Chronic Migraines – Symptoms and Management Options

Migraines are headaches that lead to severe throbbing and pulsing sensations on one or both sides of the head. When these headaches occur more than 15 days a month with at least eight days of migraine characteristics, they could be considered chronic. Typically doctors look for these symptoms that might span over a period of three months. So, read on to learn more about the symptoms and treatments for this condition.

Stages and symptoms of chronic migraines
There are four main stages of a migraine. These include prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. The symptoms of a migraine attack can vary based on which stage you are currently experiencing.

Prodrome
Prodrome is the stage that takes place a day or two before the actual migraine attack. You may notice subtle changes, which could warn you that a potential migraine attack is imminent. These signs include constipation, stiffness in the neck, fluid retention, constant yawning, cravings for certain foods and flavors, and changes in your mood.

Aura
The Aura stage can occur during or before a migraine attack. These symptoms usually affect the nervous system and are reversible in change. They are also typically visual symptoms that build gradually over a period of time. They start soft and slow, then build up, and can last for almost 60 minutes. With an aura, individuals usually experience visual phenomena such as seeing shapes and flashes of light. There could also be loss of vision, sensations all over the body, and even weakness.

Attack
The attack stage is the migraine. This can last anywhere between four to seventy-two hours. How often these migraine attacks take place can vary from person to person. With chronic migraines, these attacks are persistent and, in some cases, may also occur almost 15 days a month. During a migraine attack, individuals may experience pain on either one or both sides of their heads, and the pain could be a pulsing or throbbing sensation. Individuals may also have sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.

Post-drome
Migraine attacks could leave you feeling drained and confused. You could also feel fatigued for a day after the attack has subsided. Any sudden movement could also bring about pain in the head.

Causes
Migraines and their causes are not fully understood yet. But, there is enough evidence to show that genetic and environmental factors play a vital role in developing this condition. Studies have also found that changes in the brain stem and its interactions could also trigger chemical imbalances, leading to migraines. Studies have also found specific triggers that could cause migraines. These include:

Hormonal changes
Fluctuations in hormones, such as estrogen, could occur during menopause, pregnancy, and menstruation, leading to migraines and even triggering headaches. Hormonal treatments such as oral contraceptives could also increase the risk of and worsen migraine attacks.

Stress
Stress is one of the most common triggers for migraines and can be tackled with the help of mindfulness, meditation, following a healthy meal plan, and yoga.

Sensory stimuli
Sudden flashing lights or exposure to certain strong scents, smells, or even loud sounds could lead to migraine attacks.

Physical factors
Changes in sleep patterns and loss of sleep could trigger headaches and migraine attacks. However, even strenuous physical activities might lead to migraines.

Other factors
Certain risk factors increase the chances of developing migraines. These include family history, age, and gender, among others.

Treating chronic migraines
There is no cure for chronic or mild migraines. Any treatment option available focuses on either preventing an attack from taking place or helping to deal with the sign and symptoms of the attack. Treatments also focus on ensuring that individuals can function in their daily lives. The remedy mainly falls into two broad categories.

Pain-relief treatments
Pain-relief treatments are also known as acute treatments or abortive treatments. These are taken during a migraine attack and can help stop or reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Preventive treatments
Preventive treatments are long-term treatments that have to be taken regularly. They help to reduce the severity of the attacks. But, their main focus is also to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. This treatment option is suitable for both mild and chronic migraine cases.

There are multiple modes of treatment available in both categories. The doctor will prescribe your treatments based on your condition’s severity, health history, and other factors. In some cases, individuals may not be able to opt for specific treatments if they are expectant or have different conditions.

Natural remedies
Aside from treatments prescribed by your healthcare professional, there are other natural ways to help tackle the symptoms of a chronic migraine attack. You can try these home remedies along with your prescription treatments to help ease the pain.
One of the most common ways to tackle migraine pain is to move into a quiet, dark room. This can help prevent any noise or light triggers. You can also close your eyes, nap, and even place a cool cloth or ice pack on your forehead for relief. You could also try some lifestyle changes and remedies.

Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga, biofeedback, and more could help you deal with stressful situations and reduce the chances of recurring migraine attacks.

Staying hydrated
Dehydration is one of the major causes of headaches and migraine attacks. It is essential to drink sufficient fluids throughout the day. But note that not all liquids are good for you. You can instead opt for natural fruit juices with no additives or stick to water.

Maintain a headache diary
Healthcare practitioners may also suggest maintaining a headache and migraine diary. You can record your symptoms and headaches over a certain period. This will help you understand your triggers and what treatment worked best for you. You can also share this with your doctor to track your progress.

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Known Signs of Hemophilia and Anemia

Bleeding disorders refer to a group of conditions like hemophilia or anemia that interfere with normal blood functions in the body. Hemophilia affects the ability of the blood cells to clot naturally, while anemia lowers hemoglobin count in the red blood cells. These conditions exhibit a unique set of symptoms that can be identified. Early diagnosis helps doctors form a viable healthcare plan. So, it pays to know and identify the following symptoms. Hemophilia and Anemia: Understanding the difference Both conditions are common bleeding disorders. However, anemia & hemophilia signs are distinctly different from each other when it comes to the disease progression. The latter is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cell’s ability to clot and close wounds. Certain clotting factors in the blood bind with the red blood cells to prevent uncontrolled bleeding. Anemia is a condition where the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells in the first place. Also, a low hemoglobin count affects the red blood cell’s ability to carry oxygen to vital organs and extremities via the circulatory system. Genetic mutation triggers most known types of hemophilia, while certain nutritional deficiencies in the body trigger common forms of anemia. Symptoms of hemophilia The absence of essential clotting factors in the blood can trigger a variety of noticeable and unusual symptoms. Uncontrolled bleeding Bleeding is one of the primary symptoms of hemophilia. It can happen under the skin or in the joints. As the red blood cells are unable to bind and clot, this pool of blood can trigger swelling, pain, and tightness in the joints. This symptom is most commonly noticeable in the knees, elbows, and ankles. Blood collecting under the skin can lead to buildups under the muscle and soft tissue to cause more painful bruising. This symptom is called hematoma in medical terminology. Frequent nosebleeds When the bleeding is triggered externally, it can result in frequent nosebleeds that can be difficult to stop. Note that external environmental factors and physical injuries generally cause nosebleeds. So, any unexplained bleeding could indicate a developing condition. Bleeding caused due to cuts, bruises, and vaccinations Lack of essential clotting factor VIII can trigger bleeding from the lightest of impacts, cuts, bruises, or even after losing a tooth. Some people experience sudden bleeding after taking a vaccination. This could be the body’s reaction to producing antibodies, but the strain could be too much to bear, resulting in bleeding from the extremities. Blood in urine or stool Excess blood in the urine or stool is a clear sign of disease progression. The urine and stools appear dark red or even blackish due to the presence of red blood cells mixed with the excreta. Immediate medical assistance is advisable for visual symptoms. Bleeding in infants Complicated pregnancies can be physically taxing for both the mother and the child leading to possible symptoms of hemophilia at birth. But in some rare cases, infants may experience internal bleeding in the head. Symptoms of anemia The most common types of anemia, including iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia, develop due to the lack of nutrients in the body. Therefore, anemia exhibits more physically taxing symptoms as the condition worsens. Tiredness Increased fatigue and weakness for no apparent reason is one of the main indicators of nutritional deficiencies. An unexplained decrease in overall stamina with no physical exertion or any activity during the day could mean low iron in the blood. Without iron, the body cannot produce enough red blood cells. And low hemoglobin means not enough oxygen is being circulated around vital organs in the body, thus resulting in fatigue induced by low energy levels. Respiratory symptoms Experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains, and even noticing an irregular heartbeat could indicate a possible anemic condition. An iron deficiency lowers hemoglobin count, and this means not enough oxygen is being circulated by the blood. Low hemoglobin affects the breathing rate as the body struggles to extract more oxygen resulting in shortness of breath. The heart must also put in extra efforts to pump the low hemoglobin blood forcefully, thus resulting in irregular heartbeats. Doctors refer to this condition as heart palpitations. These symptoms can also induce chest pains due to the sheer stress being put on the organ. Pale skin and damaged hair Skin and hair symptoms are visible indicators of a developing anemia condition. An iron deficiency results in low red blood cell production and indirectly affects the shade of the skin. Pale skin is noticeably visible around the face, gums, lower lips, lower eyelids, and even on the nails. This symptom is more visually obvious among people who flaunt a lighter skin tone. Also, hair thinning, hair fall, and a damaged scalp is a clear sign of iron deficiency. Treatment options Note that anemia & hemophilia signs never overlap. Once the primary indicators are confirmed, doctors quickly suggest blood tests to identify the leading causes or triggers. Knowing the differences can help with prompt diagnosis even though both the conditions are bleeding disorders. It is even possible to recover from common forms of anemia within 2 to 3 months. Hemophilia is a more serious bleeding disorder that is treated by introducing the missing clotting factors. Doctors also suggest prescriptions that help stimulate the body to release more clotting factors. However, a transfusion offers more promising results for moderate to severe progression. Effective preventive measures and home remedies can help lower the risk of bleeding. These conditions cannot be completely cured. But it is possible to improve the quality of life by incorporating healthy lifestyle habits. Prescriptions and treatments only help slow down the disease progression.

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Causes, Types, and Management of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affects the nerve cells in one's brain stem and spinal cord. Such a hereditary condition severely deteriorates muscular activity, including walking, talking, sitting, and even breathing. According to SMA Foundation, this rare neuromuscular disease affects one in 6,000 to 10,000 individuals. Approximately 6 million people in the country are carriers of the defective SMA gene. Here, we discuss the causes, signs, and management methods to tackle this condition better. Causes Spinal muscular atrophy is passed to children through their parents' genes. People suffering from it commonly have a missing or defective survival motor neuron-1 gene (SMN1). This defect leads to insufficient production of the SMN protein, which affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord responsible for sending signals to the muscles. SMA usually starts early in life and mainly affects the trunk, upper leg, and arm muscles. Less common types of spinal muscular atrophy include the mutation in the VAPB gene, the DYNC1H1 gene, the BICD2 gene, and the UBA1 gene on chromosomes 20, 14, 9, and X, respectively. Based on the type of defect, the symptoms, severity of muscle weakness, and prognosis can change. In some cases, the types may even overlap. Types and Symptoms As motor neurons shrink or die, the brain loses control over the body. An early sign of SMA is a gradual loss of control over physical movements, mainly of the neck, arms, legs, and head. One can also develop a curve or bend in the spine. Generally, SMA can be divided into four types, as given below: Type 1 Also known as infantile-onset SMA, Type 1 is a severe condition where infants younger than six months find it difficult to sit, suckle, breathe and swallow. As a result, their muscles weaken significantly and may develop skeletal abnormalities. They may also suffer from lung collapse and respiratory infections. Type 2 A child with a Type 2 or intermediate SMA shows early symptoms between 6 and 18 months. They can sit down but cannot walk due to weakened lower limbs. They also face respiratory problems like hypoventilation. Type 2 is relatively less deadly than Type 1, and youngsters have a chance to live into adolescence or young adulthood. Type 3 Also known as Juvenile-onset SMA, it is comparatively milder and develops in children after 18 months. Children with Type 3 SMA experience mild muscle weakness but can walk independently. They may find it difficult to get off a chair, run, or climb stairs. If left untreated, they can develop scoliosis or the chronic shortening of tendons around joints. Common disease-modifying treatments can help manage it. Type 4 This type of spinal muscular atrophy is a rare condition in adults that develops after age 21 and accounts for a low percentage of all cases. As far as symptoms are concerned, one may experience mild to moderate muscle weakness. The majority of SMA types impact men and women equally. According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, men are more likely to get SMA only in the case of a UBA1 gene mutation on the X chromosome. This occurrence is because men do not carry the second X chromosome that females do, which protects them from experiencing the full effect of the mutation. Diagnosis and Management SMA can be diagnosed with conventional blood tests that detect gene mutations. The tests can also show if a relatively healthy person is a defective gene carrier. If blood tests or a person's family history do not give a necessary diagnosis, a doctor may use muscle biopsy, nerve conduction velocity studies, or electromyography. These tests help in recording a person's muscle and neurological activity. Although there is currently no cure for SMA, gene replacement therapies allow one to control the symptoms and live healthier lives. They replace the missing SMN1 gene with a functioning one and are suitable for kids below two years. In addition, other disease-modifying therapies focus on boosting the production of the SMN protein. They are ideal for kids between 2 and 12. Apart from the treatments mentioned above, here are a few home remedies that can support healing. Breathing Assistance Devices Those with compromised respiratory function may use a special mask or mouthpiece to strengthen breathing. One can also use an at-home breathing machine if the issue persists or worsens. Light Exercises Occupational and physical therapies can help with posture, protect joints, and slow down muscular atrophy and weakness. For instance, a doctor may recommend simple, light exercises and stretching to keep one's mobility intact, improve range of motion, and maintain blood circulation. Using Support If walking proves excruciating, one can use additional support like a walker or wheelchair. Foods to Have and Avoid SMA may lead to muscle weakness in the throat and mouth, so eating foods that are easy to chew and swallow is necessary. For example, one may opt for smoothly mashed potatoes, yogurt, soups, juices, pureed food, and other thickened liquids. Avoiding high-fat foods like meat with tendons or cartilage, bread, and sticky food like rice is a must. Those who cannot chew or swallow may need a feeding tube in severe cases. Long-term neuromuscular diseases like spinal muscular atrophy gradually worsen with time. Those with this condition may also require intensive care from various medical specialists. If the symptoms prevail, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional immediately. Families and friends are the best physical and emotional support for them. So, near and dear ones are urged to discuss and prepare for potential medical emergencies.

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