Definition – What is a migraine attack?
A migraine attack describes the acute occurrence of symptoms of the migraine disorder and is often referred to as a migraine attack. The attack is often preceded by what is known as an aura, which is a series of premonitory symptoms, such as flashes of light in front of the eyes. During the attack itself, the person affected suffers from severe pulsating or pounding headaches. Other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, chills or neck pain, also occur repeatedly during the migraine attack. Accordingly, therapy in the acute phase typically consists of aspirin and MCP (metoclopramide) for nausea.
Causes
When a person suffers from migraine, migraine attacks occur again and again. These are usually caused by certain triggers, also called triggers. One of these triggers is usually excessive stress.
For example, students who suffer from migraines often have migraine attacks when an important exam is due. But other triggers, such as the consumption of red wine or chocolate, certain medications, a sudden change in the weather or too much sunlight can also trigger a migraine attack. In women, migraine attacks also occasionally occur in connection with menstruation. They should therefore be avoided if they can be linked to the attacks. and distinguishing a premenstrual syndrome from pregnancy
Diagnosis
When a migraine attack first occurs during an unidentified migraine attack, it is usually diagnosed as soon as the affected person sees a doctor. Decisive indications of a migraine attack can be found mainly in the medical history, i.e. the doctor-patient consultation. A headache diary can be very useful to record migraine attacks more precisely and identify possible triggers. People who have been suffering from migraine for years usually recognize a migraine attack relatively quickly themselves, as the attacks usually proceed in a relatively similar way and the symptoms often present themselves with similar intensity.
How can you tell a migraine attack from a stroke?
A migraine attack is in most cases easily distinguished from a stroke. Many sufferers have a so-called aura before a migraine attack, i.e. certain symptoms, such as seeing flashes of light or a tingling in the arm. The migraine attack itself leads to strong pulsating or nagging pain, often accompanied by diarrhoea, vomiting or neck pain.
After the attack subsides, no symptoms usually persist. In contrast, a stroke is characterised by a severe headache and the phenomenon of aura is rather untypical. In addition, there are so-called neurological deficits, such as problems with speech and paralysis of the face or an entire half of the body. Depending on the extent and timing of the diagnosis and therapy, these may persist for a longer period of time.
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