Ophthalmic migraine: how to get rid of it?
Written by: Loris Vitry (holistic coach)
Validated by: Cathy Maillot (Osteopath)
Caution: If you have any medical questions or concerns, please speak to your doctor. Even if the articles on this site are based on scientific studies, they do not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Migraines are claiming more and more victims.
Symptoms of migraines are headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
In the rarest cases, these symptoms come with blurred vision and are called ophthalmic migraines.
Do you have these symptoms?
This article explains everything to know about this form of migraine and especially how to get rid of it.
The ophthalmic migraine: the unmistakable signs
First, it is crucial to understand the disease well to get rid of it better.
Thus, a migraine is a disease that is characterized by severe and repetitive headaches.
Also called migraine with aura, ophthalmic migraine has different symptoms that make it stand out from a classic migraine.
The aura is a neurological disorder that announces migraine, and you can have eye paralysis and blurred vision in most cases.
Double vision, dilated pupils, the appearance of bright spots, or black flies are all manifestations of this type of migraine.
Sometimes the symptoms are accompanied by sensory disturbances (tingling) and language disturbances (difficulty or inability to speak).
During the aura phase, which can last up to an hour, you do not experience headaches, but after this phase, the trouble gradually sets in.
You may feel like you are being hit on the head with a hammer.
The pain experienced can vary from person to person.
In all cases, it is noticed at the temples, behind the head and at the back of the eyes.
What are the causes that trigger an ophthalmic migraine?
To put an end to ophthalmic migraine, knowing the causes is essential.
The aura resembles a kaleidoscopic vision that stands out.
But contrary to what many people think, the aura is not an eye phenomenon but is linked to the brain’s neuron activation.
The specific affected area of the brain is the cortex, which controls vision.
When this brain region is altered, bright spots appear in your mink field.
Migraine with aura is a genetic condition, and therefore there is a good chance that many members of the same family will suffer from it.
The brain is, therefore, predisposed to show symptoms from time to time.
However, certain risk factors can trigger a crisis.
These include:
- excessive consumption of alcohol, especially white wine,
- lack of rest and sleep,
- emotional changes related to stressful situations,
- chronic stress,
- exposure to loud noise,
- the inspiration of strong smells,
- changes in hormones (in women during their menstrual cycle),
- excessive consumption of dairy products and chocolate,
- the sudden change in the normal rhythm of life,
- the abuse of certain high-nicotine medications.
As a preventive measure, it is vital to avoid behaviors that bring out the manifestations of migraine with aura.
If after a reliable diagnosis by your doctor, you are sure that it is indeed this type of migraine, it will be necessary to follow a treatment which we will detail below.
How to get rid of ophthalmic migraine?
We now know that this ailment is due to a dysfunction of the cerebral cortex.
However, in general, doctors often recommend anti-inflammatory tablets like aspirin, ibuprofen.
For vomiting and nausea, you can use antiemetics or ginger tea.
However, you will need to wait until the aura phase has passed before using any medication.
As we said above, the pain only appears after the vision disturbances, and it is only then that you can use the medication.
Besides, it is always better to act at the first signs of an ophthalmic migraine.
So several tips can help you get better.
Find a quiet place and breathe
No matter where you are at the time of the crisis, try to find a dark, noise-free space.
You can lie, squat, or sit.
The goal is to isolate you from lights and tensions (risk factors).
Do repeated breathing exercises to restore calm and balance to your body.
The technique is simple: you breathe deeply and exhale slowly.
For maximum effectiveness, exercise for 30 seconds and at least 4 times in a row.
Opt for a massage with essential oils
Certain oils are used to reduce migraine attacks.
These include, for example, mint or lavender essential oil.
Apply a small amount to the painful area and massage in a circular motion.
You can increase the pressure of the massage depending on the intensity of the pain.
It is also possible to soak a cloth in essential oil and place it on your forehead for a few moments.
Drink coffee
Coffee is an unusual tip, but one that has proven itself.
Thanks to its vasoconstrictive properties, coffee relieves pain.
You can drink it or place a fresh wipe soaked in caffeine on your face.
You will feel an improvement, especially in your temples and under the brow bone.
What else should you know?
Migraine with aura is simple to treat as soon as you follow the necessary recommendations as listed above.
If you still see black flies in your field of vision after the medical treatment process, don’t worry.
As you already know, stress is a triggering factor, so you can favor yoga or meditation to fight it as well as possible.
Behavioral treatment is sometimes the solution for the youngest.
The hypnosis technique is recommended to reduce pain and prevent the onset of the migraine.
Osteopathic therapy can also be of fantastic help.
To conclude, ophthalmic migraine is less frequent than a regular migraine and affects 20% of migraine sufferers.
The visual disturbances are neurological disorders that occur before the headache phase.
Risk factors are often linked to stress.
The good news is that when you follow our pieces of advice, you can get rid of it quickly.
Continue reading:
Mental restlessness: how to calm your thoughts?
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