Migraines With Vomiting: A Look At Mental Health

Few things can affect a person’s health more than migraines. When migraines are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, the discomfort may not only last for the days when the pain manifests itself, but it may arouse a psychological and chronic fear of its onset.

There are many types of migraines, and each one of them has its own peculiarities. If we focus on those migraines that are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, the impact on the affected person’s daily life is enormous.

It is essential that affected people learn to identify their symptoms and know how to manage them. If someone is used to enduring pain to the limit for different reasons, they must be treated physically and psychologically to face the disease and change their way of coping.

For a person who endures incessant headaches and continual vomiting, the psychological consequences of this illness can be very severe.

What are migraines?

Migraine is a type of headache that tends to recur and causes moderate to severe pain. The pain is often described as throbbing, and usually starts on one side of the head.

The pain usually lasts between 4 hours and 3 days. During a migraine episode, a person can be especially sensitive to light, sounds and even smells.

The genetics of migraines

Migraines tend to be hereditary. Up to four out of five people with migraine have a family history of the disease. If either parent has a migraine, the child has a 50% chance of developing it. If both parents have a history of migraine, the risk increases to 75%.

What happens in the brain with migraine?

Usually, susceptibility to migraine is hereditary. Parts of the brain that use monoamines, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, appear to be in a state of hypersensitivity. They react quickly and excessively to certain stimuli.

Essentially, migraine is caused by the interaction between the brain and cranial blood vessels. Treatment may be aimed at constricting the dilated arteries to lessen pain as it occurs, or at tissues that are capable of “producing” pain.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom is headache. The pain can start mild, moderate or severe. If left untreated, the headache will become moderate to severe. The pain can travel from one side of the head to the other, it can affect the front of the head, or it can feel like it’s affecting the entire head.

Most migraines last about 4 hours, although severe ones can last much longer and even become daily. It’s common to have two to four migraines a month. However, some people experience daily headaches, while others only experience migraines once or twice a year.

What triggers a migraine?

Migraine attacks can be triggered by several factors. Common triggers include the following:

• Emotional Stress: During stressful events, certain chemical compounds are released into the brain to combat them. Arousal can increase muscle tension and dilate blood vessels, which can aggravate migraines.
• Sensitivity to chemicals and preservatives: Certain foods and beverages such as aged cheese, alcoholic beverages, chocolate and food additives (such as nitrates in sausages) may be responsible for triggering pain.

• Caffeine:  Consuming too much caffeine or abruptly limiting your intake when ingested regularly can cause headaches.
• Hormonal changes in women: Migraines in women are more common during menstruation. The sudden drop in estrogen that triggers menstruation can also cause migraines.
• Certain medications that inflame blood vessels: Overuse of daily medications to relieve headaches can also cause migraines.
• Heat: Above 35 degrees, a migraine sufferer may already experience incessant discomfort.

Migraine and psychological health

For those who experience them, chronic migraine can interrupt daily activities and reduce quality of life. If migraines are also accompanied by nausea and vomiting, the impact on daily life will be even greater.

Those who live with migraine feel a sense of anticipation of their pain. In the case of migraines with vomiting, as soon as the pain sets in, many people predict that they will vomit if they cannot control the nausea. At this point, the psychological factor and the management of the situation are fundamental.

Psychological treatment for migraines with vomiting

Clearly, the psychological and physical aspects of migraine need to be addressed. The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety and depression, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy , which are also beneficial for migraines.

Some studies have found that behavioral therapies, such as relaxation techniques and biofeedback training, are also effective in treating migraines. The purpose of these treatments is to help people learn to promote feelings of relaxation and calm.

As our understanding of migraines improves, important implications arise. First, it is important for physicians to understand the relationship between migraines and mood. Detecting problems such as depression and anxiety in those affected can help them get the psychological help they need.