I’m a migraine expert – here’s six things than can trigger an attack and when to see a doctor
A MEDICAL condition is disrupting millions of lives in the UK – costing the economy around £9billion in lost working days every year.
Often dismissed as “just a headache”, migraines are also the third biggest cause of disability worldwide.
Debbie Shipley, of the Migraine Trust, told The Sun on Sunday: “It is a severe and painful long-term health condition that has a huge impact on people’s lives.
“Migraines can affect relationships, work and mental health.
“People who suffer headache conditions are two to five times more likely to develop depression or anxiety, and 71 per cent say it has significantly affected their mental health.”
Symptoms include head pain, seeing flashing lights, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound and smell.
Genetics play a part
Debbie added: “Migraine attacks can last between four hours and three days.
“Some symptoms may start before the head pain and some may start afterwards.
“An estimated 190,000 migraine attacks occur every day in the UK.”
Here Debbie shares key facts about migraines.
Is it a headache or a migraine? Keep a diary of symptoms to identify which type you are having.
The most common kind is a “migraine without aura”.
Symptoms include a throbbing pain on one side of your head which often gets worse if you walk or climb the stairs.
You may throw up or feel like you want to, or be sensitive to light, sound and smells.
With a headache, the pain is often felt in different parts of the head.
What causes a migraine and who gets them? Typically, they start around puberty and peak between the ages of 35 and 45.
Initially, they are more common in boys but this reverses around puberty when they become three times more frequent in women, probably due to hormones.
Scientists think they are the result of abnormal brain activity affecting nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.
Genetics can play a part, which is why the condition often runs in families.
Why do I see flashing lights? One in three people experience migraines with aura — that is, a warning sign that an episode is about to happen.
It usually affects your sight such as blind spots or seeing flashing lights.
But an aura may also include dizziness or muscle weakness.
Can what I eat trigger a migraine? At the beginning of an attack, you may crave sweet foods.
Then, when the headache starts, you think the chocolate was the trigger.
Actually the migraine had already started and the cravings were a warning sign.
Skipping meals or not having enough food is one of the most typical causes.
Some chemicals and additives may contribute too: Tyramine, found in red wine and soft cheese, the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is common in Chinese food, and nitrates — occurring naturally in some vegetables and also added to processed meat.
What else may trigger an attack? Teeth grinding, dehydration, coughing, sunlight, artificial lights, flashing lights such as car head lights and sun glare.
New drug approved
Prolonged or sudden noises, changes in routine, stress, too much caffeine and sitting at a computer for a long time are also known triggers.
What treatments are available? The right treatment will depend on the type of migraine, your symptoms and how severe or regular they are.
This summer, healthcare body NICE approved a drug called Rimegepant on the NHS – taken as a wafer which dissolves under the tongue.
It could change millions of lives.
Older treatments, such as triptans and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can trigger rebound headaches, caused by medication overuse, but this doesn’t.
When should I seek help? If you experience any symptoms that are a concern, see your GP.
If the pain is unbearable, seek urgent medical help by calling NHS 111. The Migraine Trust can be contacted on 0808 802 0066 (Mon-Fri from 10-4pm) or visit migrainetrust.org for details.
RELIEF: Botox can numb the symptoms
NURSE Rebecca Taylor, of thesknnurse.co.uk, says Botox can also help sufferers.
She said: “Botox was first licensed for cosmetic reasons in the UK in the 1990s but doctors soon realised it was helping people who were susceptible to migraines.
“Experts found it blocks chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain and relaxes the muscles, which might cause tension pain.
“It is available on the NHS but only to chronic sufferers who get 15 headache days a month and have failed at least three preventative treatments.
“In some cases, Botox has reduced migraines by 30 to 50 per cent. Sufferers have injections around every 12 weeks.”
Rebecca added: “It is still a bit of a taboo but we are definitely seeing more patients asking for it because it also means they may not have to take medication.
“If you think you might be eligible, ask your GP for a referral to a specialist.”