Health

Migraines and Fever: Understanding the Rare Connection and What to Do

High body temperature is not often a symptom of a migraine, even though they frequently include a wide range of symptoms (in addition to a splitting headache), such as nausea and vomiting, vision problems, and a loss of spatial awareness.

Some migraine sufferers do, however, describe sporadic fever spells. You should be aware of the connection between migraines and fever, as well as what to do if you happen to have both at the same time.

1. Migraine

Commonly an extreme pain or pulsating sensation, on one side of the brain, are the characteristics of a migraine headache. General adverse effects include extreme light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. Headache assaults can last for a few hours or indeed days, and the torment they deliver may be so horrifying that it is troublesome to go around your everyday exercises.

Migraine
By Aarรณn Blanco Tejedor / Unsplash copyrights 2018

Auras, which are warning symptoms, can occur either ahead of or concurrently with headaches for some people. Along with other disturbances like tingling on one side of the face, an arm, or a leg, auras can cause speech issues. Auras can also include visual disruptions like light flashes or blind spots.

ASeveralmigraines can be prevented and made to hurt less with the use of medications. The proper drugs, besides self-help strategies and way of life changes, may be beneficial.

2. Fever

Simply explained, a fever occurs when your body’s internal temperature increases above typical ranges. When an oral thermometer registers a temperature higher than 100.4 F (38 C) or a rectal thermometer registers a temperature higher than 100.8 F, the temperature is deemed elevated.

Fever by itself does not constitute a disease. Instead, it’s typically a symptom or indication that another condition, such as an infection, is present within the body. In truth, a fever isn’t always a negative thing to have because it can sometimes be a sign that your body is fighting off hazardous germs.

When your body is under attack, it can raise your body’s temperature to boost your immune system and activate a variety of bug-slaying cellular mechanisms. In warmer environments, viruses and bacteria have less room to grow because some of them can only reproduce at normal body temperatures.

3. How often does a Migraine Cause a Fever?

Rarely do migraine attacks include a fever. According to experts, a fever that comes along with a migraine headache is often brought on by another reason, such as an infection or illness, that is happening at the same time as the attack. More research is undoubtedly required, but it has also been suggested that the hypothalamus, which controls your body’s internal thermostat and is occasionally linked to cluster headaches, may be implicated in some way.

Because your body operates best between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit, temperature increases may produce systemic changes that, in sensitive individuals, could result in a migraine. For instance, when you have a high fever, you may sweat a lot as your body tries to cool itself off. If you lose fluids faster than you can replace them, you risk becoming dehydrated. Dehydration is one of the foremost visit causes of headaches in both children and grown-ups

Fever
By Matteo Fusco / Unsplash copyrights 2020

4. Conditions That May Cause Fever and Migraine

Any illness or infection that raises a temperature may produce a migraine if you are predisposed to it. It’s crucial to remember, however, that although fever during migraine attacks is uncommon, it may be a symptom of a more severe or even fatal disease. If you have a high fever along with severe migraine or other symptoms of a migraine, or if the fever lasts more than three days, call your doctor right away.

There are a few ailments that could cause a migraine with fever, such as:

4.1. Common Viral Infections

The flu virus and COVID-19, among other viruses, can raise your temperature and make migraines or other headaches worse. Some other signs of a viral infection include:

  1. Unwell throat
  2. A headache
  3. Fatigue
  4. Cough
  5. Runny nose

4.2. Serious Infections

Meningitis and encephalitis are extreme ailments that can kill the brain. They may be caused by viral or bacterial ailments. Meningitis is an aggravation of the layers that encompass the brain, known as the meninges. The inflammation of the brain itself causes encephalitis. Both illnesses may result in a fever as well as excruciating headaches.

Meningitis and encephalitis are both potentially fatal diseases. If you suspect you may have one of these illnesses, get emergency medical help immediately, especially if you have a strong headache and fever along with neck stiffness, weakness, confusion, or trouble hearing or speaking.

4.3. Bacterial Infections

When a tiny, single-celled bacterium called a bacterium enters the body through an airway (such as the mouth or nose) or an opening in the skin, such as a cut, scrape, or surgical wound, bacterial infections result. From minor infections like ear infections or strep throat to more dangerous diseases like tuberculosis, these infections can vary in severity.

white and red heart shaped decor
By Viktor Forgacs / Unsplash copyrights 2020

Depending on the sort of microbes that cause an ailment, the seriousness can shift incredibly. In general, these are some signs of bacterial infections as listed below:

  1. Fever
  2. Chills
  3. Headache
  4. Exhaustion

4.4. Hemiplegic Migraine

Hemiplegic migraine is the only illness that produces both a migraine headache and a fever. Additionally, it makes one side of the body weak.

A hemiplegic migraine may be “sporadic,” meaning there is no known family history, or “familial,” indicating at least one other family member also suffers from the illness.

Additional signs of this kind of migraine include:

  1. Tiredness
  2. Numbness
  3. Coordination difficulties and visual impairment
  4. Hemiplegic migraine attacks that are severe might cause fever, seizures, or coma.

To treat it, medical practitioners may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-seizure meds, and a wide range of other therapies.

4.5. Abscesses in the Teeth

A dental abscess is a pus-filled pocket in the teeth or gums. It is brought on by an infection of microorganisms in or around the tooth.

The following are common symptoms:

  1. A high degree of heat
  2. A reduction in consciousness
  3. A throbbing headache
  4. Dehydration
  5. A fever and a bad taste in your mouth.

4.6 Epstein-Barr Virus

Epstein-Barr virus is one of the foremost predominant causes of viral contamination in individuals. Saliva in particular is a common body fluid via which it spreads.

This virus is arguably best recognized for producing mononucleosis, commonly known as glandular fever or mono, which is a common infection among teenagers. Several of the signs include:

  1. A migraine
  2. Fever, severe physical aches, and exhaustion
  3. An upset stomach

Mono usually results in a headache that feels more like a tension headache than a migraine. The usual course of action for mono is a few weeks of rest and drinking.

5. Self-Care Strategies

Although self-care methods cannot completely cure migraines, they may help lessen their effects. Someone can:

  1. Apply a cold compress to their forehead
  2. Sit in silence and darkness
  3. Take an over-the-counter painkiller
  4. Rest or sleep

These methods might also be helpful for headaches brought on by other illnesses, like the flu or a sinus infection.

Painkiller
By Eric Mclean / Unsplash copyrights 2021

6. Diagnosisย 

It might be challenging to distinguish between symptoms that point to either a severe headache or a migraine attack.

A doctor takes into account the following factors before giving a migraine diagnosis to a patient:

  1. Whether there is pain on one side of the head
  2. Whether the client has experienced at least five migraine episodes, each lasting four to seventy-two hours.
  3. Whether heaving or sick side effects coexist.
  4. The presence of a throbbing or pulsing sensation.
  5. If your vision has changed at all.

7. Prevention

Many drugs are available to either stop or treat migraine attacks. These scenes can be maintained at a strategic distance from, for case, by taking calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.

Acupuncture may also be able to stop migraine attacks in their tracks or stop them from getting worse, according to research.

Antidepressants
By Nastya Dulhiier / Unsplash copyrights 2019

People who suffer from frequent migraine attacks are advised to exercise frequently by health professionals. Even low-impact workouts have shown promise in reducing incidents.

8. Final Wordsย 

Although fever is not a typical migraine headache symptom, it is nonetheless possible to experience one during an attack, particularly if there is an underlying disease, such as a viral or bacterial infection, that is causing the fever.

If you experience:

  1. 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
  2. a throbbing or abrupt headache
  3. neck ache or stiffness
  4. seizures or fainting
  5. having trouble breathing
  6. skin patches or rashes
  7. confusion or foggy thinking

A fever is not a side effect of a migraine, and an infection is typically the source of both a temperature and a headache. Be that as it may, the side effects of another sickness can occasionally trigger a headache assault. So, if you’re wondering whether it’s possible for migraines to result in fever, the likelihood is low. Verify that nothing else is occurring.

Last Updated on December 22, 2023 by soubhik92@gmail.com