MIGRAINE
Headache is a common sickness. It’s an everyday thing to hear complains about it. And treatment is also common, just two tablets of Paracetamol or Aspirin will get the job done.
But not all headaches is headache. There is this type of headache that affects certain part of your head. This type is called Migraine. But to the general public it is still headache.
Migraine is a term applied to severe headaches affecting only one side of the head and it is caused by the action of chemicals in the bloodstream on blood vessels surrounding the brain and in the scalp. In the first stage of a migraine attack, the blood vessels surrounding the brain constrict and then the blood vessel in the scalp dilates causing a severe headache. This is then accompanied by nausea, vomiting e.t.c.
The real cause of migraine is unknown, but an attack may be triggered by a blow to the head, physical exertion factor, certain foods, emotional factors such as excitement, tension or shock. A family history or record of migraine also increases chance of an individual suffering from it. Most of all it could be caused by another type of sickness altogether.
Drugs are used either to relieve symptoms or prevent attacks, but none cures the migraine.
However the use of mild analgesic such as Paracetamol does relieve the pains in most people. While in some others the use of a stronger one like the combination of Paracetamol and codeine is use. If the migraine is accompanied with nausea and vomiting, tablets may not be absorbed sufficiently from the gut.
The absorption of these drugs can be increased when taken in ways that it be easily absorbed by the body, either by injection or by suppository. Care should be taken when using preparation that contain caffeine as headaches may be caused by excessive use or stopping of treatment thus leading to drug abuse.
So when next you have migraine or headache, as you commence treatment via self medication with either Paracetamol or a combination of it, do make sure you see the doctor once you have not gotten relieve or the migraine keeps coming back. It may be a sign for another thing altogether.
