Migraine
Migraines extend beyond typical headaches, often presenting as intense, pulsating pain on one side of the head, sometimes confining individuals to bed for days.
Triggers like movement, light, and noise exacerbate symptoms, which may include fatigue, nausea, visual disturbances, irritability, and more. Seeking guidance from a healthcare professional can aid in managing these symptoms and prevent migraines from disrupting daily life.
Some individuals experience warning signs, known as auras, preceding or accompanying the headache. Auras manifest as visual disturbances like flashes of light or blind spots, or sensory sensations such as tingling in the face or limbs, along with difficulties in speech.
Different types of migraines exist, with the most prevalent categories being:
Migraine with aura, also known as classic migraine, is characterized by sensory disturbances or visual changes preceding the headache phase.
Migraine without aura, often termed common migraine, lacks the preceding sensory disturbances.
Additional migraine types encompass:
- Migraines seen in children, such as abdominal migraine.
- Chronic migraine, marked by frequent and persistent migraine episodes.
- Hemiplegic migraine, involving temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body.
- Menstrual migraine, which tends to coincide with the menstrual cycle.
- Migraine without the typical headache, known as silent migraine.
- Retinal migraine, also called ocular migraine, affects vision.
- Status migrainosus, denoting an unusually prolonged and severe migraine attack.
Various triggers can provoke migraines, such as:
- Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, such as those occurring during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, are commonly associated with migraine onset.
- Hormonal medications like oral contraceptives may exacerbate migraines in some individuals, although others may experience relief.
- Consumption of certain beverages like alcohol, particularly wine, and excessive caffeine from sources like coffee can trigger migraines.
- Stress, whether from work or personal life, is a well-known migraine trigger.
- Sensory stimuli like bright lights or flashing lights, loud noises, and strong odors such as perfume or paint thinner, can induce migraines in susceptible individuals.
- Sleep disturbances, whether from lack of sleep or excessive sleep, can precipitate migraines.
- Physical exertion, including intense exercise or sexual activity, may provoke migraines.
- Weather changes, including shifts in barometric pressure, can be a trigger for some people.
- Certain medications, such as oral contraceptives and vasodilators like nitroglycerin, might worsen migraines.
- Specific foods like aged cheeses, salty foods, processed foods, or skipping meals can act as triggers.
- Food additives like aspartame (a sweetener) and monosodium glutamate (MSG), commonly found in various foods, can also provoke migraines.
Healthcare providers may recommend medications to address migraines, with two main types available:
Medications to Stop Migraines: These are taken at the onset of migraine symptoms to alleviate or halt symptoms such as pain, nausea, and sensitivity.
Medications to Prevent Migraines: These are prescribed for individuals experiencing severe symptoms that disrupt daily life or suffer from frequent migraines. These medications aim to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, typically taken on a daily basis.
Common medications to stop migraines include:
- Triptans (e.g., 5-hydroxytryptamine)
- Ditans (e.g., lasmiditan)
- Gepants (e.g., rimegepant, ubrogepant)
- Dihydroergotamine (e.g., prochlorperazine)
- Antiemetic medications (e.g., metoclopramide)
Common preventive migraine medications include:
- Antiseizure medications (e.g., valproic acid, topiramate)
- Beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, propranolol, nadolol)
- Calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil)
- Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline, doxepin)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine)
These medications come in various forms, including:
- Subcutaneous injections
- Oral tablets
- Nasal sprays
- Intravenous administration
- Suppositories
Your healthcare provider will tailor the medication regimen to your specific needs, considering factors such as the type and severity of your migraines. It’s crucial to follow your provider’s instructions meticulously and to seek guidance from a headache specialist or healthcare provider.