Migraine Specialists in Delhi

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a common neurological condition characterised by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe headache, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. It is understood to involve abnormal activity in the brain and changes in blood vessels and nerve signalling, though the exact mechanisms are still being studied. Migraine attacks can be preceded by a distinct phase called aura in some individuals, involving temporary visual disturbances or other sensory changes before the headache itself begins. The condition tends to run in families and is more common in women, with hormonal fluctuations thought to play a role in this gender difference. While migraine cannot currently be cured, a combination of trigger avoidance, acute treatment for individual attacks, and preventive medication for frequent episodes can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of attacks for most people.

Causes of Migraine

The exact cause is not fully understood, but migraine is believed to involve abnormal activity in brain nerve pathways and blood vessels, triggered by a variety of factors that vary between individuals. Common triggers include stress, hormonal changes particularly around menstruation, certain foods and beverages, irregular sleep patterns, dehydration, and sensory stimuli such as bright lights or strong smells. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role, as migraine often runs in families.

Symptoms of Migraine

Throbbing or pulsing headache often on one side of the head, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, visual disturbances such as flashing lights or blind spots in aura, dizziness, fatigue before or after an attack, difficulty concentrating, neck stiffness

Treatment & Types of Migraine in Delhi

Acute attacks are treated with pain-relieving medications, ranging from over-the-counter options for mild episodes to specific migraine medications called triptans for more severe attacks. For individuals with frequent or disabling migraines, preventive daily medications, including certain blood pressure medications, antidepressants, or newer targeted therapies, are used to reduce attack frequency and severity. Identifying and avoiding personal triggers, along with maintaining regular sleep, meals, and hydration, is an important complementary strategy alongside medication.

Migraine is classified as migraine with aura, involving temporary visual or sensory disturbances before the headache begins, or migraine without aura, the more common form without this warning phase. It is also categorized by frequency as episodic migraine, occurring on fewer than 15 days a month, or chronic migraine, occurring on 15 or more days a month, which often requires more intensive preventive treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions