What Exactly is a Migraine?

Everyone knows what a headache is. At one time or another everyone has experienced a headache. But what is the difference between a headache and a migraine?

You can google migraines and get provided with tons of websites with symptoms and pictures that depict how a migraine feels. But have you ever experienced one?

The American Migraine Foundation defines a migraine as an inherited neurological disorder that is characterized by over excitability of specific areas of the brain. A chronic migraine is defined as having migraines over 15 days per month.

What exactly does this mean? For some it is auras and debilitating pain that means being locked in a dark quiet room until the pain subsides. For others it means working all day and going about life as if nothing is wrong. It is different for each person. Some migraines are triggered by hormones while others are triggered by smells or foods. Imagine never being able to eat your favorite food!

So what helps migraines then? For some it is acupuncture or chiropractic care. Others schedule regular massages.But what about those who seek a more western medical approach? There are medications galore to "help". I know you are wondering why I put help in quotations. That is because they do not always help. Sometimes the adverse effects of the medication are worse than the migraines. Imagine taking a medication to help your migraine but you are walking around in a fog the entire time. At what point does one say 'no more!'? Over the years I have tried medication after medication, some had more success than others. What did they all have in common? Eventually they all quit working.

I have suffered from migraines for over 25 years (yes that may date me!). I have tried tons of medications, massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture. From acupuncture I learned about the pressure points related to tragus and daith piercings. These piercings have worked wonders for me, overall. As I write this I actively have a migraine. Now you're thinking 'I thought those were supposed to get rid of migraines', and they do help. 95% of the time I can take Tylenol. Then there are times like now that nothing helps it.

So why share this? It is simple. Migraines are invisible illnesses with no true cure. There is only treatment. Just because a person looks okay on the outside does not mean that they are truly okay.

#invisibleillness #migraines #migraine #chronicmigraines #Health