This is one of the most common headaches, which affects about 10% of the population at various levels of severity. Migraines are three times more common in women than in men, and usually appear in the second or third decade of life, although it can start in childhood or at a later age as well. Approximately 70% of migraine sufferers have a first-degree relative who also suffers from the problem, which indicates a significant genetic base for the illness.
A migraine manifests itself in medium to heavy headache attacks, typically on one side (although it can be on both sides of the head), beating or pressing sensations, intensified with movement and often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In addition, at the time of an attack, many patients suffer from sensitivity to light, noise, smell, and touch, and prefer to lie down in a quiet, dark room.
Approximately 25% of migraine sufferers also suffer from aura – these are symptoms that generally precede the headache and manifest themselves in visual disorders such as sparkles or zigzagging lines moving slowly in the field of sight and disappearing after about 20 minutes to an hour. Other symptoms of aura could be paresthesia in the limbs, speech difficulties or weakness in a certain area of the body.
Other factors could also trigger migraine attacks, including lack of sleep, abnormal eating habits, emotional stress, and – for women – hormonal changes during periods.
Migraine treatment begins with changing the patient's lifestyle, with the aim of reducing the frequency of attacks as far as possible. Treating a sharp attack must be suited to the type of pain and the accompanying symptoms. Treatment can be given as tablets, nose spray or an injection. It is important to treat an attack early, because then the treatment is more effective. However, it should be remembered that overuse of painkillers can cause damage and even exacerbate the headache, thus any drugs should be taken in accordance with medical recommendations.
Some patients need preventative treatment, the aim of which is to reduce attack frequency and increase the effectiveness of the treatment in a case of a sharp attack. Recently, specific drugs have been developed to prevent migraines. They are administered through one intravenous shot per month or once every three months, and have been proven effective for this purpose.
Another important element in treating migraine patients is psychological treatment, for those who need it. This treatment includes relaxation techniques such as biofeedback. Similarly, treating sleeping disorders – if relevant – is another important element in the patient's treatment protocol, as is treating obesity.
With a comprehensive treatment program as described, the majority of patients make significant improvements, and can function well at work, at home and in social settings.