A headache at least once in a lifetime worried every person. A similar condition can occur due to overwork or be a symptom of serious brain pathologies. You may be surprised, but men and women experience migraines in different ways: with varying intensity and dislocation of sensations, because neurons react differently to brain signals. You can find out about the signs of migraine in men and the treatment (medication and alternative) of this ailment from this article.
Interesting facts about migraine
The term "migraine" was first used by the ancient Roman physician Claudius Galen. It was he who first drew the dividing line that distinguishes migraine from simple headaches to this day: with migraine, the pain is localized in a certain part of the head and has a long, painful character.
History confirms the fact that dozens of famous male creators and scientists suffered from migraines: Isaac Newton, Pontius Pilate, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sigmund Freud, Edgar Poe, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, Karl Marx, Julius Caesar, Charles Darwin.
Some modern Hollywood actors also suffer from migraines. For example, Ben Affleck has repeatedly undergone therapy for this ailment, as well as Nicolas Cage.
An unproven scientific fact: men who suffer from regular migraines are prone to perfectionism and almost always achieve their goals.
Forms and varieties of migraine in men
The following forms of migraine in men (as well as in women):
- migraine with aura (approximately 25% of cases);
- migraine without aura (accounts for the remaining 75%).
Aura is a complex of reversible neurological disorders that occur before the onset of the attack or with it. Migraine in men happens both with an aura and without it.
The following types of migraine aura are:
- Visual, in which a man notices with his lateral vision lines, circles and other geometrical figures that do not exist in reality, the so-called "visual noise".
- Hemiparesthetic aura, which is characterized by a deceptive sensation of creeping ants in the neck, hands, shoulder blades.
- Hemiparetic is a rather dangerous sign of migraine in men, as it can cause temporary immobility of the hand, foot of one of the legs, one or several fingers (such a serious violation develops as a result of a violation of neural connections due to impaired blood circulation).
- Dysphasia is a temporary speech disorder provoked most often by circulatory disorders.
Signs of migraine in men
How not to confuse an ordinary headache with a migraine, which is a rather serious violation? The following are the main signs of migraine in men:
- The pain pesters in any one part of the head - the left or right temple, the back of the head, one of the frontal lobes.
- The pain is painful, prolonged and may not recede even after taking analgesics.
- The development of the so-called aura is characteristic.
- In some cases, migraine provokes intracranial pressure, sometimes ICP is the cause of headache.
- Possible jumps in blood pressure in the patient.
- The inevitable companions of true migraine are apathy, chronic fatigue, and physical weakness.
Causes of chronic migraine
What causes migraine in men? Most common causes
- Many products familiar to ordinary Russians can provoke a man’s attack: natural chocolate, cafes and strong black tea, alcoholic drinks, sweeteners and preservatives, foods high in fat, and some seafood. If the patient noticed that the attack begins after eating a particular product or drink, you should abandon it altogether.
- Improper lifestyle: regular lack of sleep and insomnia, strict diets and hunger strikes, constant overwork, chronic stress. These factors have a devastating effect on the central nervous system, which affects the blood circulation of the brain and ultimately leads to chronic migraines.
- Environmental impact: strong perfumed smells, aromas of chemicals lasting longer than three hours can cause a migraine attack even in a completely healthy person.
- Non-specific reasons: hormonal changes, chronic alcoholism and drug addiction, traumatic brain injuries received at a young or adult age.
The most common causes of chronic migraine in drug-induced men are osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, jumps in blood pressure, chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, and some psychiatric diseases.
Groups of drugs that help with headaches in men
Neurologists confirm that treatment of migraine in men (the symptoms and etiology of which may be different) is carried out with the following drugs:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are powerful painkillers. They contribute to the relief of pain after twenty to thirty minutes from the time of administration. Of the minuses, they are quite toxic to the liver and internal organs, which makes prolonged use of these drugs dangerous.
- Ergotamine and its derivatives have long been used in the fight against migraine. Neurologists often prescribe a drug in the form of a nasal spray, which was created specifically for migraine sufferers.
- Antidepressants can, with regular use, affect pain susceptibility. Such drugs are dispensed in pharmacies strictly according to the prescription, and self-administration is unacceptable, since drug dependence often develops.
- Antiemetic drugs are used for nausea and vomiting, which often accompany migraine attacks.
- Triptans are a new generation of anti-migraine drugs. They have a minimum of side effects and act on a par with antidepressants, but more selectively (which provides fewer side effects).
The effectiveness of antispasmodics for headaches in men
Neuropathologists are still arguing: are antispasmodics effective in the treatment of migraine in the stronger sex? In some cases, No-Shpa, Drotaverin and other drugs of this series really help relieve pain. but most often (in about 85% of cases), these medications are powerless before migraine attacks in men.
More effective therapy is analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also worth trying alternative medicine methods and folk remedies.
Paracetamol-based products for the treatment of migraine in men
A common mistake is the use of Paracetamol and other antipyretic and anesthetic drugs based on this component on an ongoing basis.
"Paracetamol" and its pharmacological counterparts, indeed, have a fairly powerful analgesic effect. But with frequent use, they have a high toxic effect on the liver. If you take the drug more than twice a month, chronic toxic hepatitis may develop.
How to treat migraine in men, without resorting to taking drugs containing paracetamol? It is worth using safe, but no less effective drugs - antispasmodics, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The consequences of regular headaches (migraines) in men
Members of the stronger sex rarely think that a headache can cause some serious disorders. The lack of adequate treatment for migraine in men often causes the development of the following diseases:
- migraine status - a condition in which the duration of one headache attack can last about three days and even the most powerful analgesics are useless;
- abusal and ricochet headaches in men, which are extremely difficult and practically do not respond to drug therapy;
- intracranial pressure (in some cases, a consequence of migraine, and sometimes, on the contrary, contributes to its appearance);
- serotonin syndrome is a rare condition that develops with prolonged and uncontrolled treatment of migraine headaches with antidepressants.
Alternative headache control methods
Migraine in men is of different etiology, duration and intensity. If the pain is not pronounced enough, and the patient may suffer discomfort for some time, it is worth trying therapy with folk remedies:
- massage of the temples with your fingertips, alternating strong pressing and gentle stroking;
- migraine often develops due to feelings of hunger and malnutrition - it is enough to simply provide yourself with an easy meal - and migraines are gone;
- take infusion of herbs daily for a month: motherwort and tansy, mixed in equal proportions, steamed with boiling water;
- do massage of the cervical-collar zone, avoiding strong and sharp movements;
- take a contrast shower: it helps to keep the vessels of the whole body in good shape, which will provide excellent prevention of migraine in men;
- to do light gymnastics for the cervical spine: turn your head slowly and gently left and right. Then reach with your left ear to your left shoulder, and vice versa.
Are they taking migraines into the army with a confirmed diagnosis?
This question excites many young men. A neurologist can indicate such a diagnosis when passing a commission for the military enlistment office.
According to the "Schedule of Diseases", which entered into force on 01.10.2014, various forms of migraine with a relatively severe course (duration of one attack of 24 hours or longer) of a disease that requires inpatient therapy ensure that a category “B” is assigned to a conscript of any age, which means "Limited fit for military service."