Migraine
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Migraine is the name given to pulsating throbbing pains in the head which vary in intensity from moderate to severe. The pain can affect either one or both sides of the head. Unlike other forms of severe headache, migraine pain can be made worse by physical activity, by light, by noise or even by certain smells. Additionally the pain may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting and an increased sensitivity to light and sounds. Migraine is the name given to pulsating throbbing pains in the head which vary in intensity from moderate to severe. The pain can affect either one or both sides of the head. Unlike other forms of severe headache, migraine pain can be made worse by physical activity, by light, by noise or even by certain smells. Additionally the pain may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting and an increased sensitivity to light and sounds. Frequently people may have a sense that a migraine attack is about to begin. This sensation - known as a prodrome – can include mood swings, temporary disturbances in balance and muscle coordination, speech and vision. Where vision is concerned, the sensations experienced can include flashing lights and blind spots. These visual disturbances are known as “aura.” Migraines can be triggered by a wide variety of circumstances including lack of sleep, stress, excitement (excessive stimulation), hunger, and even the weather! |
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Facts about migraine
| There are an estimated 6 million migraine sufferers in the UK. Migraines can start at any age but most commonly seem to start in puberty or in young adulthood. Migraines are three times more common in women and in most people occur for fewer than fifteen days per month. However many sufferers fall into the category of chronic sufferers characterised by the fact that their migraine attacks occur for more than fifteen days each month. |  |
What is the difference between migraine and other headaches such as cluster headaches?
The pain associated with cluster headaches may be severe and piercing, generally affecting one side of the head and particularly focussing around the eye for an average of 30 minutes to one hour. The term “cluster headache” derives from the fact that frequently the headaches occur in clusters separated by periods when no headaches occur. While cluster headaches are worsened by the effects of light, noise or smells they are generally not accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Migraines on the other hand can last for several hours or even days and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In many people the onset of an attack can be predicted by varying sensations – the prodrome.
How is migraine diagnosed?
The type of headache is usually diagnosed on the basis of a variety of interlinking factors. These can include medical history, characteristics of the headache suffered e.g. frequency, duration, severity, location and any other accompanying symptoms and triggers i.e. what appears to cause it and what appears to make it worse.
What causes migraine?
Exact causes of migraine are still undetermined. However it does appear that there is a genetic component as many sufferers have close relatives who also suffer from the condition. Research has also established that migraines occur in people with an unusually sensitive nervous system, meaning that the nerve cells in the brain of these individuals particularly, respond to stimulation which in turn produces electrical activity. This electrical activity spreads throughout the brain and causes the visual and other disturbances which are frequently the precursors to an attack. The headache begins when the 5th cranial (or trigeminal) nerve is stimulated. It is this nerve which is responsible for sending impulses, including pain impulses, from a number of sources including eyes, the jaw and forehead, to the brain. This excessive stimulation of the brain leads to the painful inflammation of the brain’s blood vessels and that brain tissue which causes the headaches, nausea and other symptoms which are associated with a migraine attack. The hormone oestrogen is also implicated in the onset of migraine, which explains why many more women than men appear to be sufferers. Many women report an increase in migraine attacks either before, during, or after menstruation. Equally the menopause, which of course reflects a change in levels of the hormone, is widely reported as affecting the nature and frequency of attacks, and also is attributed to making attacks increasingly difficult to control when they do in fact occur.
How is migraine treated?
| Some drugs have been found to help prevent people having frequent or intense migraine attacks. They include beta blockers, anticonvulsants and some antidepressants. However the majority of migraine treatments focus on controlling attacks and their frequency. Diarising attacks can help draw up a treatment plan as different drugs offer differing approaches to treatment. Some can help prevent a migraine attack progressing, and others can control pain. To date research has not found a cure for migraine. |  |
Migraine Action
Migraine Action is a charity which exists to help and support people who suffer from migraine. With over 7000 members in the UK it is committed to three main areas of activity:
| > | It encourages, supports and raises funds for research and investigation into migraine, its causes, diagnosis and treatment |  |
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| > | It gathers and passes on information about treatments available for the control of migraine and facilitates an exchange of information on the subject | ||
| > | It supports sufferers and their families by providing friendly, positive reassurance, understanding and encouragement |
Migraine Action may be contacted on 0116 275 8317 or by visiting www.migraine.org.uk/.
