Hello, in this HealthSketch we’d like to talk about Migraine, a common kind of headache
that affects around 15% of people worldwide.
Women are more commonly affected than men, and they usually begin in early adulthood,
but can occur at any age, including in children.
But what exactly is a migraine?
Migraines usually affect one side of the head and cause a throbbing or pulsing pain.
Along with the headache, people also commonly experience increased sensitivity: to light,
noise, and smells, and may also experience nausea or vomiting.
Each episode usually lasts anywhere between an hour to a few days, with symptoms typically
easing after rest in a dark and quiet room.
There are lots of different types of migraine and so the symptoms are very different from
person to person.
These symptoms can occur in stages, although not all people experience all the stages.
In the first stage, subtle changes might be experienced a day or two before the headache,
such as mood changes, cravings or yawning.
In the next stage, some people will experience ‘auras’.
These are temporary changes to vision, or odd sensations, that occur just before or
during the headache.
This is followed by the main headache stage, which we’ve already described, and lastly,
a recovery stage, where people often still feel tired.
The cause of migraines is not yet well understood, though we think it has something to do with
the blood vessels, nerves, and chemicals in the brain.
Genetics might have a role, since migraines can run in families.
For people who suffer from migraines, certain triggers can lead episodes to occur.
These include: stress and exertion, lack of sleep, particular foods and drinks, skipping
meals, weather changes, hormonal changes, and environments with bright lights, noise
or smell.
These triggers will vary from person to person.
Apart from migraines, there are many other causes of headache, and some can be serious,
so it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis.
There is no specific test for diagnosing migraine, so doctors will ask about your symptoms.
To aid in the diagnosis, it might help to keep a headache diary, by noting down: when
they happen, what you are doing at the time, how long they last and what other symptoms
you experience.
So how is migraine treated?
When a migraine occurs, sleeping or lying down in a dark and quiet room can help, along
with simple pain relief medication.
Your doctor might suggest a group of drugs called triptans, which act on the chemicals
and blood vessels in the brain.
Anti-sickness medication can also be used if nausea and vomiting is a problem.
If these medications are not enough to treat migraine episodes, there is other preventative
medication that doctors may try, to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes, although
these may not always work.
Another way of managing migraines is to avoid the triggers that bring it on.
If you keep a diary of migraine symptoms, patterns may emerge that help you identify
what triggers to avoid.
It can also help to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle, including regular sleep, exercise,
and meals, and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake.
Living with migraines can be difficult, as they can disrupt normal daily activities,
and impact on work, family, and social life.
But a number of treatments and strategies are available, so it is important to speak
to your doctor if this is the case.
Patient support groups are available to connect with others who are going through similar
experiences.
Over time, most people will gain a better understanding of their migraines and what
works for them.
In this HealthSketch we’ve talked about migraines, a very common kind of headache.
We’ve talked about the different symptoms and stages, the causes and triggers, and how
they can be managed.
We hope this HealthSketch is helpful to you and those around you.
HealthSketch, health for all to see