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Migraine and Headaches

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Migraine and Headaches: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief

Migraines and headaches are among the most common neurological disorders for most age groups and affect nearly 40% of the world’s population.[1] Headaches can cause pain and pressure but tend to be mild compared to migraines.[2] Migraines are severe, often disabling headaches usually accompanied by other symptoms like nausea or sensory stimuli.[3]

Understanding migraine headaches, their symptoms, causes, and available treatments is crucial for effective management and relief.

About Migraine Headaches

Migraine headache’s most defining symptom is severe pain that can be debilitating and significantly impact one’s daily life, making it challenging to maintain routines and meet obligations. They are a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe throbbing pain, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.[1]

Some migraineurs experience auras, which are sensory disturbances affecting vision, speech or touch.[5] Attacks can last for hours to days.[6] Physical activity, bright lights, and loud noises can intensify migraine pain.[4 ] While their exact cause is unknown, it’s believed that genes, hormones, environmental triggers, and allergies. [5] neurological conditions and chemical changes in the brain contribute to migraine development.[7]

Migraine Pain Symptoms

The hallmark symptom of a migraine headache is intense, throbbing pain, typically felt on one side of the head[3]. Migraine attacks are usually recurring and may last several hours to several days.[4]

These are some of the symptoms typically associated with migraines:

  • Pulsing pain on one or both sides of head[3]
  • Face, neck or scalp pain [7]
  • Nausea [5]
  • Vomiting [5]
  • Dizziness[5]
  • Increased sensitivity to light, sound or odors[5]
  • Fatigue[7]
  • Mood changes[7]
  • Gastrointestinal issues[7]
  • Food cravings or lack of appetite[7]
  • Auras (visual disturbances, numbness, speech issues or muscle weakness) [3]
  • Painful sudden movements[3]

Headache and Migraine Pain Causes

While the exact cause of migraine headaches is not fully understood [3], our genes can influence migraine attack triggers, and for others, an existing condition may play a role in the presence of migraines.

Listed below are migraine triggers and conditions that cause these persistent, severe headaches:

  • Brain chemical imbalances (i.e., serotonin)[3]
  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)[3]
  • Hormonal fluctuations in females[h3]
  • Alcohol or caffeinated beverages[3]
  • Sensory stimuli (sounds, smells or lights)[3]
  • Certain foods and additives[3]
  • Certain medications[8]
  • Sleep apnea[8]
  • Depression and anxiety[8]
  • Fibromyalgia[9]
  • Irritable bowel syndrome[9]
  • Sleep disorders[9]
  • Family history[7]
  • Stress[7]
  • Skipping meals[7]
  • Teeth grinding[10]
  • Dehydration[10]

Pain Management Treatments

Treatment for migraine headache pain aims to relieve symptoms, prevent future episodes, and improve the overall quality of life.[11] OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen are usually the go-to to stop migraine pain.[11] For more severe or frequent migraines, triptans, ditans and NSAIDs are prescribed.[11] Other medications used include anti-nausea or preventive medications such as beta-blockers, antidepressants, anti-seizure meds and CGRP inhibitors. [11]. Pain management treatments can consist of BOTOX® or trigger point injections, which may be used alone or with other migraine treatments.[12] Patients may also find relief with minimally invasive procedures such as occipital or supraorbital nerve blocks.[13]

Lifestyle changes, including stress management techniques, regular exercise, a consistent sleeping and eating schedule, proper hydration and relaxation practices, may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.[14]

When to Consult a Migraine Pain Care Specialist

When your migraines are frequent or severe, are interfering with your daily activities and quality of life, and conventional treatments aren’t giving you relief, a visit with a migraine pain specialist is essential to taking control of your health and well-being. A migraine pain care specialist can develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs, including any underlying conditions contributing to your pain and suffering.

If you experience sudden, severe headaches, especially if they are accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of consciousness, seek immediate medical attention as these could be signs of a more serious condition such as meningitis or a stroke.

Resources:

  1. Migraines and other headache disorders. World Health Organization: WHO [Internet]. March 06, 2024. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders
  2. LoPinto-Khoury C. Is it a Migraine or Headache? Temple Health [Internet]. July 16, 2021. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/is-it-migraine-or-headache
  3. Mayo Clinic Staff. Migraine – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. July 07, 2023. Accessed April 24, 2024 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201
  4. Cleveland Clinic. Migraine Headaches: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. March 3, 2021. Reviewed January 23, 2024. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5005-migraine-headaches
  5. Migraine vs. Headache: How to Tell the Difference. Penn Medicine [Internet]. March 31, 2022. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/november/migraines-vs-headaches
  6. How Long Does a Migraine Attack Last? | AMF. American Migraine Foundation [Internet]. October 21, 2021. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/how-long-does-a-migraine-attack-last/
  7. WebMD Editorial Contributors. Migraine. WebMD [Internet]. Reviewed March 14, 2024. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-migraines
  8. Walter K. What Is Migraine? JAMA NETWORK [Internet]. 2022;327(1):93-93. January 04, 2022. Accessed April 24, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.21857 Available from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2787727
  9. Fulghum D. 4 Conditions Linked to Migraine (and What to Do About Them). EverydayHealth.com. Published December 15, 2023. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/migraine/conditions-linked-chronic-migraine-what-about-them
  10. Migraine Headaches. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/migraine-headaches
  11. WebMD Editorial Contributors. 25 Migraine Treatments, Preventative Meds & Abortive Drugs. WebMD [Internet]. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraine-treatments
  12. Pelham V. New Treatment Options for Headaches. Cedars-Sinai [Internet]. January 06, 2022. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/new-headache-treatment-options.html
  13. Rowden A. What to know about nerve blocks for migraines. Medical News Today [Internet]. July 7, 2021. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/nerve-blocks-for-migraine#types
  14. Mayo Clinic Staff. Migraine – Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. 2019. Accessed April 24, 2019. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360207
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