by Joanna Sayers
Migraine isn’t just a headache. As a neurological condition, Migraine affects over 15% of the UK population. More people suffer from migraine than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined.
For people who suffer migraines it causes untold misery; forcing them to cease normal everyday activities for several days at a time.
Migraine can affect people of all ages, races, cultures, social classes and gender. There do, however, seem to be a higher number of women sufferers (two thirds of all sufferers are women.) Genetics may also play a part in the predisposition of those likely to suffer migraines. It is thought that a migraine sufferer’s nervous system tends to be more sensitive to change and it is these changes that cause the migraine. Changes in hormone levels, foods, stress, lack of sleep, busy lifestyles can all trigger migraine attacks.
Adult migraine sufferers can present many different symptoms including severe headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sounds and smells, neck pain, blurred or interrupted vision such as a blind spot or flashing lights. Children who suffer from migraine can complain of abdominal pain instead of head pain and will refuse food and become unusually inactive.
Finding relief for migraine is often difficult – there is no cure. Whilst aspirin, paracetemol and ibuprofen are all effective painkillers, migraine sufferers often find that no matter how strong the painkiller it makes little or no difference to the severe pain of a migraine. A condition known as ‘gastric stasis’ can prevent the stomach from absorbing medications into the blood stream.
Useful Medications available for Migraine:
- Domperidone (available over the counter as Motilium tablets) and Metaclopramide (on prescription only) can help with the nausea and vomiting and aid the digestive system to work normally again. The indigestion remedy Gaviscon can also prove to be effective when taken with simple painkillers. Buccastem M is also available over the counter.
- Stronger painkillers via prescription such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Diclofenac (Volterol, Naproxen, Indomethecin.)
- Combination anti-sickness and painkillers such as Migramax, Domperamol and Paramax.
Specific drugs such as triptans can be prescribed by your doctor. Triptans act on serotonin which is a naturally occurring substance in the brain. (Serotonin is believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep, emesis %5Bvomiting%5D, sexuality and appetite.) The prescribing of these drugs is carefully monitored to exclude those patients suffering from high blood pressure, vascular disease, renal impairment, heart disease or sensitivity to sulphonamides.
Many migraine sufferers claim that Complementary medicines and treatments can offer some relief for their symptoms.As with all treatments, it is wise to check the credentials of your therapist and discuss any treatment with your doctor.
Top 10 complimentary treatments for migraine:
- Acupuncture
- Homoeopathy
- Manipulative therapies – osteopathy, cranial osteopathy
- Physical therapies
- Relaxation
- Vitamains and minerals – magnesium, vitamin B2, co-enzyme Q10, Ginger
- Herbal remedies – feverfew
- Allergy tests
- Dental work – jaw clenching, grinding of teeth and misalignment can cause migraines
- Tinted lenses
Other remedies that can help include:
- cooling applications to the head and neck,
- peppermint to reduce nausea,
- lavender (inhaled or rubbed onto the temples
Further information can be obtained from:
- Migraine Action Association – www.migraine.org.uk
- The Migraine Trust – www.migrainetrust.org
Joanna Sayers is an experienced and published freelance writer specialising health, children, education, business, sales and IT topics. A selection of her press cuttings can be viewed at her website www.sayersmedia.co.uk
