Migraine – how light can help with common ailments

• Migraine: a stabbing or throbbing headache combined with secondary symptoms such as noise or light sensitivity over 4-72 hours
• Do I have a migraine?
• What should I do if I have a migraine?
• LED light therapy – the innovative method to combat migraine symptoms

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a severe, stabbing or throbbing headache, usually occurring across one half of the head. Secondary symptoms, such as nausea and noise or light sensitivity, also occur. A migraine occurs when overactive nerve cells cause inflammation, encouraging pain signals to be relayed. There is a clustering of cases within families because around half of all migraine attacks are attributable to hereditary predisposition. A migraine is not an isolated incident. Between 10% and 15% of adults suffer from migraines worldwide. That is 8-12 million in Germany alone. Symptoms are particularly common in women aged 35-40. But men also suffer from migraines. The first migraine attack usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 25. A lot of people have never been diagnosed with migraines however. Read on to find out if you are affected by migraines and what you can do to relieve your symptoms.

Do I have a migraine?

If you frequently suffer from throbbing or stabbing headaches combined with nausea and noise or light sensitivity, this is highly likely. The following accompanying symptoms are also a sign of a migraine attack.

Since every instance of migraine is different, these symptoms can vary widely from person to person. It is therefore often difficult to diagnose migraines. Keeping a diary of symptoms can help classify the pain better.

An attack usually lasts for between 4 and 72 hours. Signs of the migraine often occur hours or even days before however. If the headaches occur on 15 or more days across three consecutive months, they are considered chronic migraines.

Which phase of the migraine attack am I in?

Migraines usually run through four phases.

Phase 1

• Fatigue, irritability, concentration problems, light and noise sensitivity
• Usually occurs days or hours before a migraine attack

Phase 2

• Visual perception problems (e.g. flickering before the eyes), a tingling sensation, paralysis symptoms and dizziness are common just before a migraine attack
• These neurological deficits before the headache phase are referred to as aura
• An aura lasts for a maximum of one hour on average

Phase 3

• Now comes the attack itself which is called the headache phase
• In addition to the headache, the noise/odour sensitivity and light sensitivity increases and every movement is painful

Phase 4

• The pain slowly subsides but you still feel exhausted
• Recovery takes a further 24 hours

What causes my migraines?

The precise cause of migraines is not yet known. Current research suggests that migraine attacks arise due to overactive nerve cells which accelerate the transmission of certain messenger substances, including serotonin. These messenger substances are released into the blood vessels around the cerebral membrane which, in turn, become inflamed. This inflammation makes every beat of your pulse a misery. The predisposition for migraine attacks is thought to be hereditary. This means that first-degree relatives (parent, sibling, child) are 3.8 times more likely to suffer from migraines.

What should I do/avoid during a migraine attack?

It’s natural to want a quick fix when an attack strikes. It is advisable to go into a darkened room and get plenty of sleep. Lots of rest and patience are the only remedy. Turn off your mobile phone and alarm clock so you are not disturbed. Ensure there is sufficient fresh air by opening a window. Applying a cold flannel or ice pack to your brow can also help with the headache. An increasing temperature foot bath or running cold water over your arms and legs is also recommended. You should avoid the following during a migraine attack.

Alleviating my migraine pain