Annette Mbabazi suffers from migraine, a condition, medical experts say differs from simple headache in several ways. Unlike random headaches, migraines follow a recurring pattern and is severe enough to make the sufferer abandon normal activities.
Before seeing the doctors, Annette used to treat this condition with Pandadols and other painkillers, thinking it was headache.

I wasted money treating a wrong illness,” she says.
So what is migraine? Some medical practitioners refer to it as headache caused by enlargement of blood vessels that causes the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the large arteries of the brain.

Enlargement of these blood vessels, they say, stretches the nerves that coil around them and causes the nerves to release chemicals.

The chemicals cause irritation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery. The increasing enlargement of the arteries magnifies the pain.

The pain throbs which may affect one side of the head are some of the symptoms. The sufferer may also become nauseated and unable to bear bright light. The attack can last anywhere from several hours to several days, doctors add.

Experts in this disease say that although most people have occasional tension headaches, only one in ten suffers from migraine.

More women are affected than men. Some cases are more severe than others, but most victims lose several days of work each year, causing loss of income as well as adversely affecting family and social life. The World Health Organization ranks it among the 20 leading causes of disability.

"Shortly before the migraine attack, some victims have such symptoms as cold hands, fatigue, hunger, vomiting or mood changes.

Just before the headache starts, there may be dizziness, a buzzing sound in the ears, a pins-and-needles sensation, double vision, speech difficulty or muscle weakness, says Dr Alberto Karamuzi, a specialist in head illnesses.

One of the causes of migraine is thought to be a disorder of the nervous system that affects blood vessels in the head. The throbbing nature of the pain apparently corresponds to blood going through irritated vessels.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine says: "Patients with migraine inherit a uniquely sensitive nervous system, which can be disrupted by numerous life events, such as sleep deprivation, strong odors, traveling, skipping meals, stress, and changes in hormone levels.” People who suffer from migraines may also be susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety attacks, and depression.

Relieving Migraine
Scientists say you may be able to prevent migraine attacks from being triggered. By keeping a diary, some people have been able to identify certain foods or circumstances that provoke attacks.

But doctors add that each person’s case is different. For some women, doctors say, Migraine attacks may match with their monthly cycles.

They add: "Any excess activity or stimulus, hard work, heat or cold, loud noise, even spicy food would bring on migraine attack.

However, doctors say that identifying triggers is not easy because several factors usually combine to produce an attack.

"For example on one occasion you may eat a something with no effect, but at another time it gives you migraine. Perhaps this could be because of additional contributing factors,” says Dr Karamuzi.

But even if you are unable to identify or avoid things that trigger your migraine, medical people say there are other ways to reduce the possibility of an attack. They recommend that you should try to maintain a regular pattern of sleep seven days a week.

They also argue that a change in what you drink or eat can trigger migraine. As such you can limit yourself to two cups of coffee or two soft drinks per day.

"It’s important also that you avoid skipping meals since hunger can provoke migraine,” experts advise. They recommend that it’s good for you to find ways to relax, perhaps by adjusting your schedule, reading the Bible, novel, or listening to soft music.

Treatment for migraine
Doctors say that a wide range of options are available to treat migraine. Sleep, they say, is one of the best remedies. Nonprescription painkillers may bring sufficient relief for the sufferer to be able to sleep.

Triptans are available to treat migraine. But patients, doctors warn, must still make changes in activities mentioned earlier. The disadvantage is that Triptan tablets are so expensive and do not work for everyone.