A migraine headache is a severe pain that is typically on one side of the head but sometimes on both sides. The pain is mostly in the front around the temples or behind one eye. Migraines can occur at any time of the day and can last a few hours or up to one or two days. Migraine attacks can be very intense, forcing the sufferer to abandon normal daily activities. Migraine is commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55, most of these sufferers have a family history of migraine and women are affected more than men. What are the Symptoms of Migraine Migraine headaches can be characterised by a combination of two or more of the following symptoms experienced during a headache:
Many factors can trigger migraine attacks, and these can vary from person to person:
(Note – Tyramine is a natural substance formed from the breakdown of protein as food ages. Tyramine is also thought to trigger headaches. Examples of foods and beverages which contain tyramine include: beer, cheese, sour cream, bananas, red plums, figs, raisins, avocados, eggplant, salami, yoghurt, chocolate, soy sauce.)
A migraine is commonly triggered by a combination of factors. Normally, a single trigger can be tolerated, however when several occur simultaneously a migraine attack may occur.
It can sometimes be helpful to identify and avoid any of the trigger factors that are specific to an individual. It may be useful to keep a headache diary by recording the date of each migraine, factors or events that may have caused it and the methods used for relief of the symptoms. This may help to determine the right treatment for you. Following is an example of how to diaries these details.
Date & Duration
Enter the date of each migraine in the column listed as “Date” and indicate the duration in the “Duration” column.
Indicate the severity as a numeral using a scale. An example is below:
1 = Mild headache which does not affect normal activities
2 = Moderate headache which is disturbing but does not prevent daily activities.
3 = Severe headache which is very intense and normal activities are impossible.
Indicate the factors that may have triggered the migraine.
Some examples are listed below.
List the method/s of action that were used for relief
What Causes Migraine
Migraine is a genetically based disease, which may be explained by two different theories that describe the process of abnormal activity in the brain leading to migraine.
Blood Flow Theory:
The blood flow theory focuses on the activity of the blood vessels in the brain to explain the cause of migraine. Blood vessels either expand or contract. When blood vessels expand, there is increased blood flow and this can put pressure on the surrounding nerves, which usually causes a throbbing pain. Narrowing of the blood vessels can reduce blood flow, and may cause dizziness or problems with vision.
Chemical Changes Theory:
Another theory focuses on chemical changes in the brain. Migraine may be caused by the release of a chemical (known as serotonin) from the storage areas in the body, into the blood stream. This results in changes in the chemicals that transmit messages (neurotransmitters) and in the blood vessels of the brain. The blood vessels on the surface of the brain can expand and send pain messages to part of the brain that processes information about pain (the brainstem).
Common Migraine (migraine without aura)
This type of migraine consists of an intense, throbbing headache, usually involving one side of the head. In some cases the pain occurs behind the eye. Other features may include nausea/vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light, sound or smell.
Classic Migraine (migraine with aura)
Classic migraine is associated with neurological disturbances, which can last between 15 minutes and 1 hour before experiencing a migraine. Visual aura may consist of blind spots, tunnel vision, flashing lights or shimmering zigzag lines in the vision. Other examples of aura include a tingling sensation or numbness in the limbs or face, difficulty with speech and problems with coordination.
This is a rare form of migraine with pain often around the eye, nausea, vomiting, and temporary double vision due to paralysis of eye muscles.
Ocular or Retinal migraine consists of partial or complete temporary loss of vision in one eye, lasting less than an hour. Central vision blurs however it may not be accompanied by headache.
This is very rare and is characterised by temporary paralysis of one side of the body. Other features include double vision, hearing impairment, difficulty walking, numbness around the mouth and difficulty with speech.
This is an alternative type of migraine, which is also rare. It is most common in middle-aged men. The headache is characterized by a severe, sharp pain that occurs behind or around one eye and can radiate to the temple, jaw, and chin. Each headache attack lasts between 10 minutes and 2 hours but it may occur in ‘clusters’, several times a day (up to 8 attacks). These episodes of clusters usually last for 6-8 weeks, with periods of no attacks for months or several years. Attacks are commonly triggered by disrupted sleep, alcohol intake, cold wind, or heat blown into the face. Some of the features that occur with the headache include nasal congestion, excessive tearing and redness of the affected eye.
Migraine headaches can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, normal day to day functioning and work. There is no cure for migraine however it is possible to bring it under control.
1. Lifestyle Changes
Many factors can contribute to migraine attacks. In order to understand migraine, it may be helpful to keep a diary to identify the trigger factors. Avoiding or limiting these trigger factors can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches that are experienced. Also, making a few changes to lead a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, regular sleep patterns and a good diet (e.g. reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking) may also enhance the management of migraine.
2. Medication For Immediate Relief
This involves the use of medication to treat a migraine attack at the moment when it occurs, to provide quick relief of the headache and other symptoms.
i) Triptans – These medications are effective and well tolerated for acute attacks of migraine. They relieve pain by balancing chemicals in the brain and constricting the blood vessels. While it is very effective in relieving migraine, it does not prevent or reduce the number of attacks of migraine.
Sumatriptan (Imigran, Imitrex) – Sumatriptan has been shown to be an effective drug for the treatment of an acute attack of migraine. Minor adverse events are not uncommon, though it is usually well tolerated. It is available in self-injection, rapidly dissolving tablet and nasal spray forms.
Rizatriptan (Maxalt) is effective in treating acute migraine, with a doserelated increase in effectiveness.
Significant pain relief may be achieved within half-an-hour of taking one 10 mg dose of rizatriptan, (one hour for the 5 mg dose). It is also available as an orally disintegrating tablet that can be taken with water.
Eletriptan (Relpax) is used to treat an acute migraine attack. The incidence of adverse effects is dose-related. Eletriptan will not prevent migraines from occurring or decrease the number of attacks. It will only treat a migraine headache that is already occurring.
ii) Ergotamine – e.g. Ergodryl, Cafergot. These medications are not commonly used. They stop the pain by narrowing the blood vessels, which helps the throbbing pain. They are rarely prescribed and not suitable for frequent migraine attacks. The combination of ergotamine and caffeine is used to prevent and treat migraine headaches. It is available in tablet and suppository form.
3. Medication For Prevention
People who experience frequent or severe migraine attacks, or respond poorly to migraine specific medications may benefit from preventive drug therapy. The aim of these medications is to reduce the frequency and or severity of migraine attacks.
Beta-blocker medications are aimed at treating heart disease and high blood pressure but are also effective in preventing migraine e.g. propranolol is commonly prescribed to reduce the frequency of migraine.
This class of medications are used primarily to treat depression but have also been found to be useful in preventing migraines e.g. amitriptyline.
These medications are used to treat seizures or epilepsy. However, in recent years, some anticonvulsant drugs have also been reasonably effective in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks and are reasonably well tolerated. e.g. sodium valproate (Epilim), topiramate (Topamax).
d) Seratonin Antagonists
These can reduce the severity and frequency of migraine e.g. methysergide (Deseril).
4. Complementary Treatment
Complementary treatment is available for people who are concerned about the side effects of medications and are seeking non-medical options. Complementary treatment should not be undertaken alone, but should be considered as part of an overall treatment method to improve the control of migraine. It is important to keep your doctors and complementary practitioners informed of all treatments, therapies and drugs that you are taking.
Various treatments include:
a) Vitamins /Minerals e.g. Vitamin B2, Ginger
d) Relaxation – This involves any technique that assists in lowering stress levels e.g. Deep breathing, massage, yoga, meditation, rest and biofeedback.
e) Other methods of therapy may include acupuncture, physiotherapy and chiropractic.