Migraine

In this article, I detail what a migraine is, what causes a migraine, appropriate treatments available for migraine and long term management strategies for migraines.

Garvan

Pharmacist - M.B.A. (Public Health) D.I.C.

Migraine

What is it? Migraines are long lasting headaches…

Garvan J. Lynch
MBA (Public Health)

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What is it?

Migraines are long lasting headaches. They can persisit for hours, even days.

Some Migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning symptoms or signs (auras), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. A migraine is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

How do I recognise it?

Migraines usually begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. A typical Migraine attack produces some or all of these signs and symptoms:

  • Moderate to severe pain, which may be confined to one side of the head or may affect both sides
  • Head pain with a pulsating or throbbing quality
  • Pain that worsens with physical activity
  • Pain that interferes with your regular activities
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light and sound

When untreated, a Migraine typically lasts from four to 72 hours, but the frequency with which headaches occur varies from person to person. You may have migraines several times a month or much less frequently.

Causes

Although much about the cause of Migraines isn't understood, genetics and environmental factors seem to both play a role.

Migraines may be caused by changes in the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway.

Migraine triggers

Common Migraine triggers include:

  • Hormonal changes in women
  • Foods.
  • Stress.
  • Sensory stimuli.
  • Changes in wake-sleep pattern.
  • Physical factors.
  • Changes in the environment.
  • Medications.

How do you treat it?

Like any disease, even if there is no cure, there is almost always something you can do to manage it and take control. There are three main areas involved in the treatment of any disease:

For information on medicines and therapies relevant to Migraine, make an appointment at Lynch's Pharmacy, Broadale, Douglas on 021-4366923.

Learn all about the drugs used to treat the disease and any complementary medicines or therapies proven to help. Equip yourself with the tools to manage the condition and not be managed by it.

How do you live with it?

Certain adjustments may be needed to get on with your life, and often, some simple tips and advice can go a long way to making these changes. 

When you come to a Lynch's Pharmacy Clinic, we give you all the necessary information available to make your life more manageable and allow you to better live with your condition.

References

Migraine- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migraine

Migraine, a comprehensive overview                                                                                                                                            

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/migraine

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