A heartbeat, sharp pain on one side of the head can stop anyone in your tracks. This is not just a headache – it puts your energy into the drains, affects your work, and makes you light, sounds, and even additional sensitive to the smell.

It is a migraine – a condition that continues to make doctors and scientists puzzled.

What is migraine?

A migraine is a neurological (brain -related) condition that causes severe headache, often on one side of the head.

It can last for hours or days. Advisor Neurologist at PSRI Hospital. According to Bhaskar Shukla, “a migraine affects the normal functioning of the brain. This includes changes in nerve signals, brain chemicals, and blood flow.”

During a migraine, the brain experiences something called “cortical spreading depression” – a wave of abnormal electrical activity that spreads into the brain and then slows down.

This can trigger pain and inflammation in the blood vessels, making it a strong, beating sensation.

Common symptoms of a migraine

• Beating pain (usually one side)
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or odor
• nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Visual change (called “aura”) such as light or blind spots

what causes it?

The exact cause of migraine is still unclear, but many factor can increase the risk, including low serotonin levels, hormonal changes in the brain, especially in women during menstruation or menopause, stress and poor sleep, and food -processed meats, cheese, chocolate and caffeine.

Dr. Shukla explains that in people with aura (visual or sensory disturbances before a headache), these brain changes are more intense.

Migraine may also be associated with mood disorders and seizures, as all are involved in equal brain activity, Dr. Anurag Saxena, the head of Neurosurgery at Manipal Hospital, Delhi-NCR says.

Brain changes

Recent research suggests that migraine may be accompanied by changes in brain structure or may be associated:

• Volume Loss: Some brain areas, such as left basal agramastu and optic chiam, may be small in patients with migraine.
• White Matter Damage: White substances, which help communicate various brain areas, may have small damaged spots.
• Blood flow changes: The amount of blood in the brain and circulation in the brain can also change during migraine.

How to manage migraine?

Migraine cannot be cured, but they can be managed and prevented with the right approach.

Prevention:

• Get sleep regularly and drink a lot of water
• Avoid known trigger (foods, smell, stress)
• Exercise and relax with meditation or yoga
• Consider preventive drugs (as prescribed by a doctor)

Treatment:

• Over-the-counter pain reliever (eg NSAIDs)
• Triptan (Special Migraine Drugs)
• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practice

If you are suffering from persistent migraine, consult a neurologist. Understanding your trigger and treatment options may help you control the situation.

Migraine is a real neurological issue that affects brain function, daily life and overall health. With the right mix of medical care and lifestyle habits, migraine can be effectively managed.