Admin 
Migraine is not merely a headache; rather, it is a complex condition consisting of prodromal symptoms, aura, the headache phase, and postdromal symptoms.
From 1 to 3 days before the headache, symptoms such as excessive fatigue, unexplained mood elevation, depression, difficulty concentrating, irritability, hyperactivity, drowsiness, increased appetite, and frequent yawning may occur. During the aura phase, patients may experience visual symptoms (flashing or shimmering lights, broken or zigzag lines, seeing objects as larger or smaller than they are), sensory symptoms (loss of sensation in part of the body, burning, tingling, numbness), speech disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, or even paralysis.
This is followed by the headache phase, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine is therefore a brain syndrome involving various regions of the brain and presenting with a rich spectrum of symptoms. It is an important condition that requires careful monitoring and treatment with all these aspects taken into consideration.
There are several known triggering factors for migraine, although not all triggers apply to every patient. Common triggers include stress, excessive excitement, changes in sleep patterns, strenuous activities, fasting, cigarette smoke, strong or pungent odors, certain foods (such as chocolate, moldy cheese, and shelled nuts), alcoholic beverages, menstrual periods, and sudden weather changes.
What causes migraine?
Many theories have been proposed regarding the cause of migraine. The most widely accepted is the trigeminovascular theory, which suggests that migraine arises from nerve stimulation caused by inflammation of blood vessels involving the trigeminal nerve. It has also been proposed that electrical discharges in certain regions of the brain may trigger headaches. Another important mechanism involves oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, which are thought to play a role in migraine pathogenesis.
Migraine attacks can be classified into migraine with aura and migraine without aura. The neurological symptoms that occur just before the headache are referred to as aura. Symptoms such as shimmering lights, dizziness, heightened sense of smell, and numbness in the arms or legs appear before the onset of pain or during the early phase of the attack. When patients experience these symptoms, they recognize that a migraine attack is imminent. In migraine without aura, these symptoms do not occur.
The diagnosis of migraine is made clinically, based on the evaluation of the patient’s symptoms by a physician.
Treatment of Migraine
The primary principle in migraine treatment is to identify triggering factors and avoid those that are preventable. Even this alone can significantly reduce the frequency of attacks. With appropriate treatment, patients can achieve effective control of migraine attacks.
If migraine attacks are infrequent after diagnosis, acute (attack) treatment is planned to relieve pain during attacks. When attacks occur once or twice a week or more, preventive (prophylactic) treatment should be initiated. Because migraine negatively affects quality of life and productivity, treatment options should always be pursued.
In some cases, simply eliminating triggering factors such as fasting, sleep deprivation, or hormone use may eliminate attacks or reduce their frequency and severity. In addition to pharmacological treatment, supportive and complementary therapies such as neural therapy, acupuncture, and aromatherapy may be beneficial. Patients should also be evaluated for chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, and treated when necessary. Improvements in dietary habits, regular exercise, and stress management further contribute positively to the treatment process.
