Migraine..... aarrgghh

This article can help you to understand me more.... And for me to remind
myself!

What is Migraine?

For most people migraine is a great deal more than just a headache. It
can be a debilitating condition which has a huge impact on the quality
of life of sufferers and their families.

If you have two or more of the following symptoms during an attack it is
probable that you are suffering from migraine.

*Visual disturbances including blind spots, distorted vision, flashing
lights or zig zag patterns. These symptoms, often called an aura are
most often identified with migraine but in fact only about 10% of
sufferers experience them. Migraine with aura is often called classical
migraine.

*Intense throbbing headache, often on one side of the head only.
*Nausea and/or vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
*Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
*Increased sensitivity to sounds (phonophobia)
*Increased sensitivity to smells (osmophobia)
You may also experience stiffness of the neck and shoulders, tingling or
stiffness in the limbs, an inability to concentrate, difficulty in
speaking, or in very rare cases paralysis or loss of consciousness.

A general rule of thumb is that if a headache and/or other associated
symptoms prevent you from continuing with normal daily activities it
could be a migraine.

Migraine attacks normally last between 3 and 72 hours and sufferers are
usually quite well between attacks.

What Causes Migraine?

Migraine is believed to be caused by changes in the neurotransmitters
and blood vessels in the brain but exactly what causes these changes is
still a subject for research and debate. However certain factors have
been identified which can trigger attacks in susceptible people:

*Stress (or sometimes the relief of stress).
*Lack of food or infrequent meals.
*Certain foods including products containing monosodium glutamate,
caffeine, tyramine or alcohol.
*Overtiredness (physical or mental).
*Changing sleep patterns (e.g. weekend lie ins, sleeplessness or shift
work).
*Hormonal factors (e.g. monthly periods, the contraceptive pill, HRT or
the menopause).
*Extreme emotions (e.g. anger, grief etc.).
*Physical activity.
*Environmental factors (e.g. loud noise, bright or flickering lights,
strong perfumes, hot stuffy atmosphere, VDUs etc.).
*Climatic conditions (e.g. strong winds, extreme heat or cold).
For most people there is not just one trigger but a combination of
factors which individually can be tolerated but when several occur
together a threshold is passed and an attack is triggered.

Although it can be helpful to identify and avoid your own personal
trigger factors it is important not to become too obsessive.

Everyone has the capacity to suffer from migraine but for around 10% of
the population, most probably because of a genetic predisposition, the
threshold at which attacks occur is lower. It has been proven that there
is no "migraine type" and sufferers are not, as is sometimes suggested,
neurotic, perfectionist hypochondriacs who bring all their problems on
themselves nor even, as has also been suggested, that they are super
intelligent or extra sensitive. Although twice as many women as men
suffer from migraine because of the involvement of hormonal factors,
migraineurs come from all walks of life, all areas of the world and
ethnic groups, and all social classes.

How does Migraine affect the lives of sufferers?

Migraine is not a life threatening condition but it can have a
substantial impact on quality of life with far reaching effects on the
lives of sufferers and their families.

Migraine is a much-misunderstood condition. Sufferers can be regarded as
malingerers, hypochondriacs or self obsessed neurotics. Because there is
no test for migraine (diagnosis depends on careful history taking) and,
outside an attack, there are no obvious external signs of the condition,
a sufferer can offer no absolute proof of his/her condition. A broken
arm can attract a great deal of sympathy but may not cause as much pain
as a single migraine attack.

As migraine patients are normally quite well between attacks
non-sufferers often find it difficult to understand how they can
suddenly become so severely debilitated. Comments such as "but you were
fine yesterday" are common. This factor also makes migraine an excellent
excuse for the unscrupulous who do true sufferers a great disservice.

The unpredictably of migraine can cause disruption to family, social and
working life. As a result sufferers often feel that they are letting
everyone down. They become afraid to make plans or take on
responsibilities and are in fear of when the next attack will strike.
The support and understanding of family, friends and working colleagues
is vital.

Migraine can put a strain on even the happiest of relationships. However
understanding and supportive a partner may be their patience can be
tried when another outing is cancelled or they have to "take over" yet
again. Children can become upset and confused when a parent is ill and
older children can be very intolerant when plans have to be changed at
short notice. It can sometimes be more distressing to see someone you
love in pain and feel helpless to alleviate it than to experience it
yourself.

Employers can regard migraine sufferers as a bad risk. This is unfair
as, due to the unpredictability of their condition, migraineurs are
often well organised and conscientious.

Unfortunately some members of the medical profession also lack
understanding and sympathy. Some sufferers do not receive the support
that they need from their GP and are sometimes refused drugs that can
bring them significant relief.

Is there a cure for migraine?

Although there is, as yet, no miracle cure for migraine it is possible
to bring your condition under control There are now a wide range of
treatments available which can be very effective but migraine is a
complex condition and a treatment which is successful for one patient
may have no effect on another. It is therefore important to persevere
until you develop a management plan which works for you.

Perhaps the first stage in understanding and managing your migraine is
to keep a diary to try to identify your trigger factors. You may find
that an identifiable pattern emerges and that by making a few minor
changes to your diet or lifestyle you can reduce the frequency and/or
severity of your attacks.

Around 60% of migraine sufferers have never consulted their doctor about
their migraine either because they "don't like to bother him/her" or
they believe that nothing can be done to help them or that a treatment
he/she prescribed in the past did not help and they have not bothered to
go back. There are many treatments now available and new products are
introduced very frequently. Your doctor and your pharmacist are
important allies in your battle against migraine and their advice and
support can be invaluable.

Many people treat their migraine with simple pain killers purchased from
the chemist. These can be very effective, especially if taken very early
in the attack. It is important to take pain killers quickly as, during
an attack, gastric stasis can occur and medication cannot then be
absorbed from the gut into the blood stream. Pain killers taken in
soluble form or tablets taken with a sweet fizzy drink can start to work
more quickly.

For sufferers who experience nausea and vomiting painkillers combined
with an anti-sickness ingredient can be helpful.

If remedies purchased from your chemist are not bringing you significant
relief your doctor can prescribe stronger pain killers or painkillers
combined with anti-sickness ingredients.

Ergotamine can be effective in aborting migraine attacks and many
sufferers have found it helpful but it is now less frequently prescribed
because of fears about its addictive potential.

There are also drugs which act directly to correct the serotonin
imbalance in the brain during a migraine attack. These are available on
prescription only and are not suitable for all patients.

Acute treatments are available in a variety of different forms including
tablets, capsules, powders, suppositories, injections, nasal spays and
inhalers. It may be beneficial to try a treatment in another form.

If your attacks are very frequent your doctor may prescribe preventative
medication which you will need to take every day.

These treatments sometimes take a while to show any benefit and seldom
eliminate attacks entirely so you will also need an effective compatible
acute treatment for breakthrough attacks.

Non drug treatments and self help measures can also be very beneficial:

Relaxation can be extremely beneficial both in preventing attacks and
helping to cope with the pain.
Eat regularly to keep blood sugar levels stable (no longer than 3 hours
between food during the day or 12 hours overnight).
Take sensible breaks from work, especially if you use a VDU or if your
work is repetitive and/or stressful.

Regular exercise can be beneficial

Herbal remedies, specially tinted glasses, dental splints, devices that
emit electronic impulses, magnetic devices, homeopathy, acupuncture,
chiropractic and various methods of encouraging relaxation have also
been helpful for some people.

Migraine is a complex and individual condition and it is important to
persevere until you find the right treatment or combination of
treatments which works for YOU.

Many migraineurs now live completely normal lives free from attacks
because they have learned to control their condition.

Source : The Migraine Action Association