Stop migraines in its tracks with these effective strategies.
Migraine affects about 18 per cent of Australian women and about six per cent of men. The debilitating condition can leave sufferers curled up in the foetal position in a dark room, praying for their medication to work.
A migraine is very different to a garden-variety headache, explains neurologist Dr Richard Stark.”A migraine is a type of headache. The common symptoms are episodic headache (one side of the head or both) often associated with nausea and sometimes with vomiting. There is often sensitivity to light, sounds and smells. The pain is often throbbing and may be disabling, causing the sufferers to go to bed. Symptoms usually last between four and 24 hours.”
Stark says women are more susceptible than men.”They seem more likely to be affected during the reproductive age range, from the teenage years to about 50. However, some children can be affected and some people continue to suffer migraine into older age.”
If migraine is making your life miserable, help is at hand. Stark debunks some common myths and offers ways to treat an attack.
The Botox option
This anti-wrinkle injection is now available in Australia as a treatment option for chronic migraine (occurring more than 15 days of the month). “There is excellent evidence that Botox is effective in treating patients with very frequent migraines,” says Stark.
“Botox is absorbed into the nerve fibres and prevents them from releasing certain chemical transmitters. By preventing the release of these chemicals the Botox reduces input into the pain pathways of the scalp and neck.”
Botox doesn’t seem to be as effective at treating less frequent migraines.
Drink coffee
While in some people consuming too much caffeine can trigger a migraine, in small doses it may have a healing effect. “In patients who don’t overuse caffeine, it can actually be a useful treatment for migraines,” says Stark. “Some migraine medications actually include caffeine as part of a combination.”
Reducing caffeine intake suddenly can also trigger migraine in heavy caffeine users, says Stark. Before you decide to give up coffee cold turkey, seek advice from your doctor about the best way to lower your caffeine intake gradually.
What causes migraines?
The cause of migraine isn’t straightforward, says Stark. “There is a genetic susceptibility, which means certain pathways in the brain are more easily activated than they should be.” A wide variety of triggers’ can set off the migraine process. These include hormonal factors (some women are more susceptible around their period) certain foods, a change in sleep patterns (missed sleep or oversleeping), stress (or relief from stress) and other causes of head and neck pain (such as a neck injury).
Don’t be a weekend warrior
It seems difficult to believe, but for many sufferers, relief from stress can be a migraine trigger. “One common pattern is for migraines to occur at the weekend after a busy week,” says Stark.
If weekend migraine is a problem for you, do your best to stick to your usual schedule as much as possible. That means keeping to your regular sleep schedule, and not deviating too much from your weekday caffeine intake and dietary habits. Note: Too much stress can trigger migraine in some people. Yoga, meditation and counselling are very useful tools for relaxing and managing stress levels.
Take a screen break
Does staring at a computer screen, iPhone or television bring on a migraine? “Some patients do report that visual triggers or concentration may trigger migraines,” says Stark. “So it makes sense to minimise those stimuli.”
Break deep concentration at your computer screen with regular breaks to have a cuppa, chat with co-workers or just walk around the block. Try not to constantly scroll through your phone, and limit TV use. If it helps, use an anti-glare screen on your PC.
Rest and cool off
Sometimes when migraine strikes, the best advice is simply to find a quiet, dark space and lie down. “Many patients find cool packs to the face and resting in a darkened room helpful,” says Stark. “Most people with migraine also find that if they can sleep, this will also give them some relief.”
Avoid your personal food triggers
Stark says it’s ‘silly’ to give out blanket advice to all migraine sufferers to avoid possible trigger foods like cheese, red wine, citrus fruits or chocolate.
“Foods that have been reported to cause migraines in some people are eaten with impunity by other migraine sufferers,” says Stark. “Patients should take the commonsense approach of avoiding the foods that seem to trigger their own migraines.”
Catch migraines early
Learn to recognise the early signs of a migraine and it could be stopped in its tracks with over-the-counter medicines. “Some medications are best taken early in the course of an attack,” says Stark. “That’s why it’s important for sufferers to recognise the earliest signs. If treated early enough, simple, over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol or aspirin, may be sufficient to prevent the migraine progressing.” Note: For those who suffer from frequent migraines, taking daily, preventative medication may be more appropriate. “There are many highly effective migraine treatments,” says Stark. “See your GP and discuss the appropriate treatment.”
Needle work
A high-dose of liquid aspirin injected directly into the bloodstream is being touted as a new, affordable treatment for migraine, according to new US studies. Stark says: “It may well prove to be a useful option, however, it’s not currently available in Australia and has the disadvantage that it can’t be used by the patient in their home.”
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