Migraines appear three times more often in women than in men and can be caused by certain foods or stress. When it becomes a medical emergency migraine

Pulsatile pain located on one side of the head, persistent nausea and accentuated sensitivity to light and noise are frequent manifestations during a migraine crisis. This complex neurological disorder affects women three to four times more often than men, most likely due to hormonal variations. Fortunately, there are natural remedies to calm migraines, and modern medicine offers more and more solutions.

About 12-15% of the global population are facing migraines, according to international medical data, and of them, 1-2.2% develop the chronic form of the disease. We are talking about at least 15 days of headaches a month, of which at least eight episodes include migraine -specific symptoms. The disease most often affects people between 20 and 50, but can occur at any age.

Women face more often with migraine because of hormonal fluctuations

The natural decrease in estrogen that occurs before menstruation frequently triggers migraines in women. As menopause approaches, hormonal levels fluctuates even more, and the attacks intensify. After the installation of menopause, however, when menstruation stops permanently, many women notice that migraines become rarer.

In women who resort to hormonal substitution therapy, migraines can worsen, according to a systematic analysis of 2021.

Contraceptive pills containing estrogen and progesterone can either reduce or aggravate migraines, depending on each woman's body. But women who have aura migraines have an increased risk of ischemic stroke, so in their case, contraceptives should be avoided.

During pregnancy, migraines become rarer for most women. However, the problem occurs when treatment is needed, because many antimigren drugs, including non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs, cannot be administered during this period. Pregnant women can, on the other hand, call for anti-Greate drugs, beta-blockers and non-invasive neuromodulation devices.

The phases of a migraine

Migraine is not a simple headache, but a complex neurological condition that affects the direct brain, which is why the symptoms can be so severe that it makes it impossible to carry out daily activities.

Migraines can have up to four distinct phases:

• Prodromos: the pre-meters phase that can occur a few hours or even days before the pain itself. It may include symptoms such as unusual fatigue, neck stiffness, constipation, sudden mood changes or strange food cravings;

• Aura: It lasts between 5 and 60 minutes and includes visual symptoms such as intermittent lights, blind spots or zigzag lines. Some people experience tingling, numbness, speech difficulties or even temporary muscle weakness;

• headaches: the actual pain phase that lasts between 4 and 72 hours if not treated. Pulsatile pain, usually on one side of the head, varies from moderate to severe and aggravates to any movement. Nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and noise transform this phase into a true ordeal;

• postdrome: Known popularly as the after -migraine hangover, it can take up to 48 hours after the pain disappears. It involves deep fatigue, difficulty concentrating and a general sensation of exhaustion.

Risk factors

A risk factor, often neglected, is the work in shifts. People who work at night or in shifts have an increased risk of migraine compared to those who have a normal work schedule. The night work is associated with multiple health problems, from obesity and hypertension to diabetes. Migraines are among the frequent effects, and women are more vulnerable than men, at this type of disorder.

Stress remains the most common trigger for migraines, according to studies. Chaotic sleep, either too much or too little, also becomes a trigger for many people.

Bright or intermittent light, intense noises, smells of perfume or cigarette smoke can trigger a crisis in a few minutes. Also, sudden variations in atmospheric or temperature pressure are factors that affect many sensitive people. Some of them even reach the proximity of a storm after the appearance of headaches.

Foods that can trigger migraines

Foods that most frequently trigger migraines include:

• Fermented foods: matured cheeses (cheddar, parmesan, blue cheese), maia bread;
• Processed meat; sausages with nitrates and nitrites, bacon, salami, smoked sausages;
• Pickles: pickled cucumbers, sour cabbage, kimchi;
• Red wine;
• Beer;
• Chocolate,
• Caffeine (excess or withdrawal);
• Monosodic glutamate;
• Aspartame;
• Citrus fruits.

Treatments that work

To improve the acute crisis, doctors frequently prescribe triptans, as a first -line treatment. Sumatriptan, rhizatripthane, eleteriphan and other members of this class of drugs act specifically on serotonin receptors and can stop developing migraine.

A 2024 meta-analysis published in the BMJ has confirmed the effectiveness of triptans and new CGRP antagonists such as Rimigepant and Ubrogen.

Non -steroidal anti -inflammatories such as ibuprofen and naproxen can be effective for mild to moderate migraines. Aspirin and acetaminophen are other accessible options, although it should be used with caution to avoid rebound headache.

For prevention, doctors have a varied arsenal at their disposal:

• Beta-blockers such as propranolol;
• Antiepileptic drugs as topiramat or valproic acid;
• Antidepressants in the Amitriptyline class;
• Botulinum toxin injections.

New treatments with monoclonal antibodies such as Erenumab, Fremanzumab or Galcanezumab can be helpful for those who do not respond to classic therapies. However, all are administered under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Natural remedies with proven efficacy

There are also some natural options that have proven useful in reducing the pain caused by migraines, especially when used in acute episodes. A 2020 systematic analysis published in the Phytotherapy Research has highlighted the beneficial effects of menthol and chamomile, and a 2010 clinical study showed that a 10% menthol solution applied to the forehead and in the temple area calmed the pain better than a placebo treatment.

Tuine massage, a traditional technique of Chinese medicine that uses rhythmic presses and pressure movements on the acupressure areas, was analyzed in a meta-analysis published in 2020, which included over 1200 participants. The results indicated a significant pain reduction, more effective than conventional drug treatments.

Another study, published in 2023 in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, revealed that the rhythmic pressing of the point between the thumb and forefinger reduced the pain in most cases. In some situations, the effect appeared in just a few minutes after application.

Simple methods that can be tried at home are the cold compresses applied to the head or shoulders for 15 minutes. These can relieve pain by restricting blood vessels and reducing inflammation. If the migraine is accompanied by muscle tension, a hot compress applied to the cervical area can be helpful.

Also, proper hydration helps prevent the aggravation of symptoms, as the lack of liquids can disrupt the circulation and chemical balance in the body.

When she becomes a medical emergency

In some cases, migraine can signal a serious medical problem, which requires immediate intervention. It is important to go urgently to the hospital if the following symptoms appear:

• Sudden and intense headache that quickly reaches an extreme level. This type of pain can be a sign of a brain bleeding;
• Unusually severe headache, often described as “the strongest pain ever” may indicate an aneurysm or stroke;
• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia), a common symptom in stroke.

Even if hemiplegia can occur in migraine with aura, clear differentiation between the two cannot be done at home. This is why any symptom of this kind should be treated as a medical emergency.

Migraine chronicization

Episodic migraines can be chronic through processes that researchers do not yet understand. Obesity increases the risk of this unfortunate transformation, as do cranial trauma such as brain concussions. People suffering from fibromyalgia or other painful chronic conditions are more frequently with migraines, and depression and anxiety also amplify the risk.

Sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea, can trigger or aggravate migraines. Paradoxically, and excessive use of pain drugs can lead to so-called rebound headache, creating a vicious circle difficult to interrupt.

Between 26% and 70% of the cases of chronic migraine eventually come back to the episodic form, easier to manage.