Uppermill pharmacist IAN STRACHAN examines migraines
Migraine presents as a severe headache with a throbbing sensation to either the front or one side of the head.
Affecting around 15% of the population the condition afflicts one in four women and one in twelve men. It usually begins in young adults as the majority of sufferers have symptoms before the age of 40.
Symptoms include nausea and sensitivity to light and migraine can be accompanied by an aura or warning signs before it begins. This often comprises of flashing lights, stiffness to the neck and even the shoulders or limbs.
Migraines can also feature without those aura-like symptoms and may even exclude headaches.
How often do they occur?
Some people encounter attacks as frequently as several per week while others present only occasionally.
What are the causes?
Many triggers exist although the most common include:
Emotional: Including stress, anxiety, tension, shock, depression and excitement.
Physical: Including tiredness, poor sleeping, shift work, low blood sugar and even long periods of travelling. The menopause can also trigger attacks of migraine.
Dietary: Factors include a lack of food, delayed or irregular meals, dehydration and alcohol. Caffeine-based products found in tea, coffee and specific foods like chocolate or cheese can also serve as triggers.
Finally bright lights, loud noises or strong smells are also culprits. Some forms of medication have also been linked to migraines, like the contraceptive pill and sleeping tablets.
Speak to your GP if you cannot establish the cause of your migraine.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for migraines; however a number of treatments are available to ease symptoms. In the pharmacy we often find patients will try different combinations of remedies to determine the most effective for them.
Painkillers including aspirin and paracetamol are commonly used but as always, check with your pharmacist as to their suitability for you.
Some people find codeine-based painkillers actually make their migraines worse by increasing feelings of nausea.
I would always advise administering pain relief at the first sign of a migraine. Soluble painkillers are preferable because they are absorbed more rapidly by the body.
When simple painkillers fail to work I would recommend referral to your doctor. I would also advise sufferers who encounter a migraine for the first time over the age of 50 or perhaps are experiencing more frequent bouts than usual to also visit their doctor.
Other more specialised remedies do exist but I would encourage caution and refer to your pharmacist for advice and recommendation as to their suitability.
Prevention
One of the best ways to avoid a migraine must be to recognise the factors which trigger an attack. Keep a migraine diary and record the date and time the attack happened along with any warning signs.
Making a note of your symptoms and any medication you tried is a very useful way of monitoring how well your medication is working and can be of particular value to your GP.
Finally it can help to be aware of how you feel before an attack, such as a change in mood, tiredness or food cravings. This will help to anticipate attacks in the future.
Next month: Dysmenorrhea or painful periods.
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