Famous Last Words: Migraines

Hey there!

As you may have guessed already because this is an extra credit post, I fell behind last week. This time partially due to procrastination and partially due to a migraine. It was great. Let me tell you about it. 

I had been feeling really great all week, getting my work done, not too stressed, and like usual I was planning to do the three weekend assignments on Sunday. Yes, I know I shouldn't wait until the last day to do them. Yes, I know this whole thing could have been avoided by doing them early, but hey, hind sight, spilled milk, you know the drill. Plus, I didn't have any other homework due on Monday, unlike usual, so I thought I would have plenty of time. (Here is where the ominous music should play.) However, that afternoon I started having a migraine attack. This quickly spiraled into me sitting and staring at the wall until it stopped later that night. Sadly, I didn't get much work done, as you can imagine. 

Luckily I am back on my feet today, although a little more tired than usual and a little more stressed. Missing the three weekend assignment means I am behind by 18 points. That is quite a chunk. Thankfully this week isn't too busy in my other classes and it looks like I should have the time to catch up. So here I am, doing the extra credit post that has come to be one of my favorite assignments. 

Due to the special circumstances leading up to this post, I thought I might give a little information about migraines for anyone that wants to know more about them! So here you go: 

Migraines

As you may know, migraines are similar to headaches, in that they create a painful sensation in the head. Migraines however are not just a headache, they are a neurological event that involve the malfunction of parts of the brain. The pain is generally isolated to one side of the head, and can cause severe sensitivity to light and sound. In some cases the pain can be debilitating. The cause of migraines is not completely understood, but it is known that there is a genetic component. Those that are affected by migraines can have them triggered by a variety of different factors including certain foods, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, hunger, and alcohol to list a few.

There are four stages of a migraine prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome.

The prodrome stage can happen one or two days in advance of the attack and can consist of symptoms such as changes in mood, cravings, frequent yawning, neck stiffness, and increased thirst.

The next stage, aura, can result in auditory, visual, or physical phenomenon created in the brain such as hearing a ringing, partial loss of vision, or feeling pins and needle.This can be before or during the attack. It can last from a couple minutes to an hour.

Next is the attack which is the painful portion of the migraine. It can be focused on one side or both, feel pulsing or throbbing, and can cause the nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, sensitivity to light and sound, and blurred vision. This can last anywhere from four to 72 hour, however, some medications can shorten this time or decrease the pain.

Once the attack is over, the post-drome starts. This phase generally includes feelings of dizziness, moodiness, confusion and continued sensitivity to light and sound. This can last for 24 hours and is the last stage of a migraine.

The video below from the American Migraine Foundation explains some of what is happening in the brain during a migraine.  For more information about migraines please visit the Mayo Clinic's page on migraines or the American Migraine Foundation site.

Work Cited

"Migraine" Mayo Clinic, May 31st 2018

"Understanding Migraine" American Migraine Foundation