Intense one-sided headaches with nausea and sensitivity to light that keep coming back may be migraine, and are worth a medical check rather than enduring.
Almost everyone gets headaches from time to time, mostly from lack of sleep, stress or overwork, and they ease after rest. What you should watch for is pain that keeps coming back, settles on one side of the head, and comes with nausea or discomfort with light and noise. That may be migraine.
What is migraine
In essence, migraine is a chronic condition of the nervous system, marked by recurring attacks of headache. It disrupts study, work and daily life. Many people have to take time off and lie still in a dark room until the pain subsides.
Signs of a migraine attack
The pain usually sits on one side of the head, throbs with the pulse, ranges from moderate to severe, and gets worse with walking or physical effort. Without proper treatment, an attack can last several hours, sometimes up to 72 hours. In some people the pain switches sides or spreads across the whole head. Along with the pain, a person may experience:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Discomfort with, and sensitivity to, light.
- Discomfort with, and sensitivity to, noise.
- Heightened sensitivity to smells.
- Fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Some people also have a warning sign called aura, which appears just before the pain begins: flashes of light, a blind spot in their vision, numbness in the hands or feet, or difficulty speaking. The number of attacks also varies widely: some people have only a few a year, others several a month, and some even have headaches on many days of the week.
Self-medicating with painkillers can mask the problem
Many people buy painkillers on their own whenever a headache strikes. The medicine eases symptoms for a while, but frequent and prolonged use carries risks:
- Masking the signs of more serious conditions.
- Causing medication-overuse headache, which makes headaches more and more frequent.
- Harming the stomach, liver and kidneys, along with many other side effects.
So when headaches keep recurring or get worse, it is better to see a doctor than to manage them at home. Doctors diagnose migraine mainly by asking carefully about the symptoms and performing a neurological examination. When another cause such as bleeding in the brain or a brain tumor is suspected, the doctor may order a CT scan, an MRI or further tests. Each type of headache has its own treatment, so finding the right cause is an important step.
Lifestyle changes to ease the pain
Alongside medication prescribed by a doctor, daily habits make a real difference in reducing how often attacks occur and how severe they are. People with migraine should:
- Get enough sleep, go to bed and wake up at fixed times, and avoid staying up late.
- Eat meals on time, never skip breakfast, and drink enough water.
- Exercise regularly at a comfortable level.
- Keep a balance between work and rest to reduce stress.
- Limit alcohol and stimulants.
Each person also has their own triggers, such as lack of sleep, pressure, changes in the weather, the menstrual cycle, glaring light, loud noise or certain foods.
Keep a headache diary
A small notebook recording each attack helps the doctor identify triggers and tailor treatment more closely. Each time you have a headache, you can note:
- When the pain started and how long it lasted.
- How bad it was and what other symptoms came with it.
- What you had eaten or drunk beforehand.
- Whether you were short of sleep, under stress, or the weather had changed.
Migraine is a chronic condition, but it can be controlled with early diagnosis, the right treatment, a regular lifestyle and avoiding known triggers.
Trusted clinic for migraine in Ho Chi Minh City
For nearly 20 years, Ky Hoa Medical Center has cared for the health of people in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together highly qualified doctors who are attentive at every visit. When migraine needs checking, our Internal Medicine doctors take time to listen, examine carefully and explain clearly so that you fully understand your condition, then agree together on a treatment and follow-up plan.
The center operates under Operating License No. 00449/HCM-GPHĐ, with a list of medical techniques approved by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health (Decision 471/QĐ-SYT), and is a primary care facility contracted with Ho Chi Minh City Social Security, accepting health insurance (BHYT) visits on Saturdays as well. The practising certificates of our 24 doctors are published on our Doctors page.
If your headaches keep coming back, last a long time or come with unusual symptoms, you can come straight to Ky Hoa Medical Center for an Internal Medicine consultation: simply walk in during opening hours and take a queue number. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine you and advise on how to manage them or where to go for suitable specialized care.
Ky Hoa Medical Center
Address: 266A - 268 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:30 - 11:30 and 13:00 - 17:00 (closed on Sunday)
Hotline: 028.3868.1097
Source: Suc Khoe & Doi Song (Health & Life) newspaper