Migraine is not a malignant pathology. This means that in the period between attacks, the patient feels normal. The disease is accompanied by very unpleasant sensations. Therefore, many people ask the question of what is dangerous migraine. Fortunately, in most cases, seizures are not life threatening. But sometimes they can provoke complications.
What is a migraine?
The main symptom of pathology is discomfort in the head area. Pain occurs on one side. The attack lasts several hours, and sometimes more than one day. Unpleasant sensations appear in the area of the temples, forehead, neck, eyes. There is a feeling of squeezing, pulsation. Why is migraine dangerous? This question is quite natural, especially for those patients who often experience such symptoms. If the seizures are regularly repeated, a person should seek medical help. Tolerate such discomfort is undesirable, and eliminating it with medication is not always possible. The specialist is able to choose effective methods of therapy and monitor the patient's condition.
Why does pathology arise?
The exact causes that trigger migraines are still unknown. But there are several hypotheses about its development. Many experts claim that seizures occur due to malfunctioning of blood vessels, an imbalance of hormones and poor genetics. It is known that migraines often affect the weaker sex. Among the factors that provoke the development of the disease, we can name:
- Emotional upheaval.
- Excessive stress (physical, mental).
- Changing of the climate.
- Harmful addictions.
- Impaired blood circulation in the brain.
- Bright light.
- Loud sounds, strong smells.
It is noticed that some people experience discomfort after eating certain foods (red wine, smoked dishes, chocolate).
Many patients have a question about how severe ailment is migraine. Is such a condition dangerous to life? Fortunately, hemicrania itself does not endanger health. But repeated attacks indicate a malfunction in the body. Some patients are used to ignoring such symptoms. They try to deal with discomfort on their own, with the help of analgesics. Inattentive attitude to health leads to dangerous consequences.
Attack stages
Migraine is a disease that is intermittent. It is known that an ailment has several stages:
- Stage of Harbingers. This phase is characteristic of a small number of patients. At this stage, a person feels overwhelmed, depressed and anxious. Some patients notice a strong need for food. The stage usually lasts several hours.
- Aura phase. Her symptoms indicate functional disorders. At the stage of the aura, a person feels a sharp deterioration in vision. Before the eyes there are flashes of light or dark spots. Limbs may partially lose sensitivity. Some patients feel tingling on the surface of the skin. Failures in the speech process are likely.
- Stage of pain. This phase is the longest and most difficult. The patient feels discomfort on one side of the head. Especially severe pain is felt in the region of the temple and forehead. It is accompanied by other signs: bouts of vomiting, intolerance to bright light, sounds and smells.
- The final phase. Discomfort subsides, and all manifestations become less intense. The patient has fatigue, nervousness. This stage lasts several days.
During an attack, a person has a pale or red skin tone, depression. In juvenile patients, increased drowsiness is noted. However, after a short rest, it passes.
The consequences of the disease
The question of what is dangerous migraine is relevant, since many people suffer from this pathology. Among the complications can be listed:
- Repeated, prolonged and severe attacks. They are accompanied by repeated gagging.
- Cerebral hemorrhage during a migraine attack. Signs of this complication usually go away after a few weeks.
- An attack of seizures on the background of hemicrania.
What is the danger of a migraine head, in addition to these complications? The effects of hemicrania also include the formation of cysts in the brain. They can stay with the patient for life. In addition, seizures, which are accompanied by repeated vomiting, lead to dehydration. Experts do not recommend treating repeated attacks of pain on their own. It is better to contact a medical institution.
Other consequences
The emergence of psychological difficulties is another answer to the question of what is dangerous migraine. Pathology worsens the quality of life of the patient. Even if a person feels normal between attacks of pain, he has depression, nervousness. Probably the development of depression, panic attacks. The patient is embarrassed that he is not able to control his own life, to perform labor duties normally. In addition, pain attacks worsen sleep and digestion, and cause discomfort in the neck muscles.
Anxiety symptoms
Experts say that far from all patients develop severe consequences of migraine. Why is it dangerous? It should be remembered that the lack of adequate treatment leads to the development of long and severe attacks, which cannot be dealt with without medical assistance. When should I see a doctor? The following symptoms indicate a serious condition:
- Repeated attacks of pain that are localized on one side of the head.
- A sudden increase in discomfort, a change in his character.
- The appearance of discomfort after physical exertion or coughing.
- An increase in concomitant symptoms or the appearance of new symptoms. Alarms include repeated bouts of vomiting, fever, severe weakness, motor and visual disturbances, and speech impairment.
- The onset of the first hemicrania attacks from age 50 and older.
It is known that pathology most often develops in young people. The question of what is dangerous migraine in old age is quite relevant. The fact is that if the first attacks appear after 50 years, they are difficult. And the consequences of attacks are quite serious.
Migraine status
Such a complication occurs in the absence of adequate therapy. It is a constantly recurring attack of hemicrania, which is accompanied by severe pain and other symptoms. The discomfort is bursting and intensifies over time. Repeated gagging makes it difficult to use analgesics.
In addition, the patient has motor disorders, weakness. What is the danger of migraine in such cases? First of all, you should remember about such a consequence of a strong attack as cerebral edema. In addition, the patient may lose consciousness. Therefore, when severe symptoms occur, you must immediately call an ambulance service.
Cerebral hemorrhage
With a strong pain attack, migraine is treated in a hospital. Stroke is one of the serious complications of hemicrania. It is quite difficult to recognize, because the signs of a hemorrhage resemble a normal attack. A person has a violation of visual functions, a feeling of numbness in the head. Doctors are doing everything possible to prevent such consequences. But the complication can be identified only during the examination process.
Convulsive seizure
This consequence of the pathology is usually observed in individuals suffering from epilepsy. Migraine increases the risk of developing a seizure.
The following symptoms indicate the occurrence of a convulsive attack:
- The discomfort in the head area increases, and the person's well-being becomes worse.
- There are visual and hearing disorders.
- Examination of the brain reveals changes characteristic of seizures.
As a rule, against the background of the use of medicines for the treatment of epilepsy, the general condition of the patient stabilizes.
Hemicrania during gestation
Scientists claim that pathology can be associated with hormonal imbalance. Attacks often occur in the fairer sex during PMS and pregnancy. What is the danger of migraine in women during gestation? Severe bouts of discomfort, accompanied by vomiting, can trigger dehydration.
Pain attacks usually occur in the early stages. But sometimes they arise in the last months. The cause of the phenomenon may be a lack of oxygen. What is the danger of migraine in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy? First of all, pathology depletes the expectant mother, deprives her of the forces that are necessary before delivery. In addition, the disease can affect the condition of the fetus. If a pregnant woman has hemicrania, she should not self-medicate. Not all drugs are suitable for expectant mothers. The doctor should be involved in the selection of therapy.
Migraine in childhood
The signs of illness in minors are about the same as in adults.
But detecting hemicrania in young patients is difficult. Many parents confuse her with other ailments and try to treat the child on their own. In babies, as in adults, seizures are periodically repeated. They interfere with normal life: to study, communicate, attend circles. What is the danger of migraine in children? The consequences in this case do not differ from complications in adults. Difficulties in diagnosis and lack of treatment increase the risk of their occurrence.