What exactly is migraine?
Migraine is a chronic neurological disease of genetic cause. To put it very simply, it represents an abnormality of our brain in the processing of external stimuli.
How common is migraine?
Approximately 12% of the population suffers from migraine. It is more frequent in women than in men, as approximately 18% suffer from migraine worldwide.
What types of migraines are there?
More than types, in this case, we would speak of subtypes, of which the main ones are:
- Migraine without aura: this is the most common and indicates that there are no focal neurological symptoms associated either before or with the headache.
- Migraine with aura: constant headache that appears after or at the same time as flashes of light, blind spots and other visual disturbances, as well as tingling in the hand or face. These disorders are known as aura.
- Chronic migraine: presence of headache 15 or more days per month, of which at least 8 are migraine symptomatology without aura for at least three months, without abuse of medication and that cannot be attributed to another cause.
What does it depend on whether an individual develops episodic or chronic migraine?
We know some risk factors related to the appearance of chronic migraine:
- High frequency of attacks.
- Depression.
- Excessive use of analgesic medication.
- Low income.
- Ineffective treatment of attacks.
- Obesity.
- Caffeine abuse.
- Sleep disorder.
- Stressful life events.
- Chronic pain conditions.
What symptomatology does the patient present?
Migraine usually manifests itself in the form of attacks. The headache is usually the predominant one, but other symptoms may occur such as:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Vertigo.
- Hypersensitivity to light.
- Sounds.
Is there any treatment?
Nowadays there is no cure for migraine, but we do have preventive treatments and treatments for the moments of crisis, to reduce the frequency and intensity.
What recommendations would you give to a patient who suffers from migraine frequently?
The first recommendation would be to arrange a visit with a neurologist in order to first of all confirm the diagnosis and then make a pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic plan. It is essential to keep a headache diary to know exactly the frequency, intensity and consumption of painkillers.