How can lifestyle modifications help prevent migraines. What supplements may reduce migraine frequency and severity. Which home remedies provide effective migraine relief. How do stress management techniques impact migraine symptoms. What dietary changes can help manage migraines.

Understanding Migraines: More Than Just a Headache

Migraines are a complex neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Far beyond a typical headache, migraine attacks can involve multiple phases and a range of debilitating symptoms. But what exactly defines a migraine?

A migraine is characterized by:

• Intense, often throbbing head pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and scents
• Duration ranging from 4 hours to 3 days

While the exact cause remains unclear, researchers believe migraines stem from abnormal neurological activity triggered by specific genetic mutations. Dr. Nada Hindiyeh, a headache specialist at Stanford Medicine, describes it as “a hyper-excitable brain state” that can be set off by various internal and external factors.

Who is Most Affected by Migraines?

Migraines don’t discriminate, but certain demographics are more prone to experiencing them:

• Women are 3 times more likely than men to have migraines
• Most sufferers are between 20 and 45 years old
• Migraines often begin in adolescence or early adulthood
• An estimated 40 million Americans experience migraines

Understanding who is most affected by migraines can help healthcare providers better target prevention and treatment strategies. It also highlights the need for increased awareness and research into this debilitating condition.

Lifestyle Modifications: The First Line of Defense Against Migraines

When it comes to managing migraines, lifestyle modifications play a crucial role. Dr. Hindiyeh emphasizes that these changes are “one of the most important things that can help and prevent migraine.” But why are lifestyle changes so effective?

The migraine brain thrives on routine and regularity. By implementing consistent habits, you can reduce the likelihood of triggering an attack. Here are some key lifestyle modifications to consider:

1. Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, can significantly impact migraine frequency. How does sleep affect migraines? A regular sleep pattern helps regulate brain chemistry and hormones, potentially reducing the likelihood of a migraine attack.

2. Maintain Regular Meal Times

Eating at consistent times each day helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Why is this important for migraine sufferers? Fluctuations in blood sugar can trigger migraines in some people, so maintaining steady levels through regular meals can help prevent attacks.

3. Focus on Nutrition

A diet rich in fresh, nutritious foods can support overall brain health and potentially reduce migraine frequency. Which foods are particularly beneficial for migraine sufferers? While individual triggers may vary, many find that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium-rich foods, and antioxidants can be helpful.

4. Stay Hydrated

Proper hydration is crucial for migraine prevention. How much water should you drink? While needs vary, aiming for 8-10 glasses of water per day is a good starting point. Dehydration can be a significant trigger for migraines, so keeping your fluid intake consistent is key.

5. Incorporate Regular Exercise

Daily aerobic exercise can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. What type of exercise is best? Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or cycling are often well-tolerated by migraine sufferers. Start slowly and gradually increase intensity to avoid exercise-induced migraines.

6. Implement Stress Management Techniques

Stress is a common migraine trigger, making stress management crucial. What techniques are most effective? Practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress and potentially prevent migraines.

Supplementation: A Potential Ally in Migraine Management

While lifestyle modifications form the foundation of migraine management, certain supplements may offer additional support. Research suggests that some dietary supplements could help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. But which supplements show the most promise?

Butterbur: Potential Benefits and Precautions

Butterbur, derived from a shrub, has shown promise in reducing migraine frequency. How effective is it? Some studies have found that butterbur can decrease migraine occurrence by up to 48%. However, it’s crucial to note the potential for liver toxicity. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

Coenzyme Q10: Naturally Occurring Powerhouse

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a substance naturally present in the body that plays a role in energy production. Can it help with migraines? Research suggests that CoQ10 supplementation may reduce both the length and frequency of migraine attacks. It’s generally well-tolerated, but as with any supplement, it’s best to discuss its use with a healthcare professional.

Feverfew: Ancient Herb with Modern Potential

Feverfew has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, including headaches. What does modern research say about its effectiveness for migraines? Some studies indicate that feverfew may help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. However, results are mixed, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits.

Home Remedies: Immediate Relief Strategies

While long-term management is crucial, having strategies for immediate relief during a migraine attack is equally important. What home remedies can provide quick relief?

Cold Therapy: Ice Packs and Cold Compresses

Applying cold therapy to the head and neck can help alleviate migraine pain. How does it work? Cold temperatures can constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation, potentially easing migraine symptoms. A cold pack or even a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel can be effective.

Darkness and Quiet: Creating a Soothing Environment

Many migraine sufferers find relief in a dark, quiet room. Why is this helpful? Migraines often increase sensitivity to light and sound, so minimizing these stimuli can help reduce symptoms. Consider using blackout curtains and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to create an optimal environment.

Caffeine: A Double-Edged Sword

For some, a cup of coffee or tea can provide relief during a migraine attack. How does caffeine help? It can constrict blood vessels and enhance the effectiveness of pain medications. However, it’s important to note that caffeine can be a trigger for some individuals, so use this remedy with caution.

Gentle Massage: Targeting Pressure Points

Massaging the temples, neck, and shoulders can help alleviate migraine pain. What makes massage effective? It can help relax tense muscles and improve circulation, potentially reducing migraine symptoms. Focus on gentle, circular motions and avoid applying too much pressure.

Stress Management: A Key Component in Migraine Prevention

Stress is a well-known trigger for migraines, making effective stress management crucial for prevention. But how exactly does stress impact migraines, and what techniques can help manage it?

The Stress-Migraine Connection

Stress can trigger a cascade of physiological responses in the body, including the release of stress hormones and changes in blood flow. For migraine sufferers, these changes can increase the likelihood of an attack. Understanding this connection is the first step in developing effective stress management strategies.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Practices like meditation and mindfulness can help reduce stress and potentially prevent migraines. How do they work? These techniques help train the mind to focus on the present moment, reducing anxiety about the past or future. Regular practice can lead to overall stress reduction and improved migraine management.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

This technique involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body. Why is it effective for migraine sufferers? It can help release physical tension that may contribute to migraines. Additionally, the focus required for this practice can serve as a distraction from stress and pain.

Deep Breathing Exercises

Controlled breathing exercises can help activate the body’s relaxation response. How should you practice deep breathing? Try inhaling slowly through your nose for a count of four, holding for a count of seven, and exhaling through your mouth for a count of eight. Repeat this cycle several times to help reduce stress and tension.

Dietary Changes: Identifying and Avoiding Migraine Triggers

While maintaining regular meal times is important, the content of those meals can also play a significant role in migraine management. What dietary changes can help prevent migraines?

Identifying Food Triggers

Common food triggers for migraines include:

• Aged cheeses
• Processed meats
• Chocolate
• Artificial sweeteners
• Alcohol, especially red wine
• Caffeine (in some individuals)

How can you identify your personal food triggers? Keeping a detailed food diary alongside a headache log can help you spot patterns and identify potential triggers. It’s important to remember that triggers can be cumulative, so a food that doesn’t always cause problems might do so when combined with other factors like stress or lack of sleep.

Incorporating Migraine-Friendly Foods

While avoiding triggers is important, incorporating certain foods may also help prevent migraines. Which foods should you consider adding to your diet?

• Fatty fish rich in omega-3s (like salmon and mackerel)
• Leafy greens high in magnesium
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains
• Fresh fruits and vegetables

These foods provide essential nutrients that support overall brain health and may help reduce inflammation, potentially decreasing migraine frequency and severity.

The Role of Hydration

Proper hydration is crucial for migraine prevention. How much should you drink? While needs vary, aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day. Herbal teas and water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon can also contribute to your daily fluid intake.

The Importance of a Holistic Approach to Migraine Management

While individual strategies can be effective, a holistic approach that combines multiple management techniques often yields the best results. Why is a comprehensive strategy important?

Combining Strategies for Maximum Effect

By implementing a combination of lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, dietary changes, and appropriate supplements, you create a multi-faceted approach to migraine management. This comprehensive strategy addresses various potential triggers and supports overall brain health, potentially leading to fewer and less severe migraine attacks.

Personalization is Key

What works for one person may not work for another. How can you develop an effective personal migraine management plan? Start by implementing basic lifestyle changes and keeping a detailed migraine diary. This can help you identify your specific triggers and the strategies that work best for you. Over time, you can refine your approach based on your individual needs and responses.

The Role of Medical Support

While home remedies and lifestyle changes can be highly effective, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider, especially if your migraines are severe or frequent. When should you seek medical help? If your migraines are impacting your quality of life, if home remedies aren’t providing sufficient relief, or if you experience new or worsening symptoms, it’s time to consult a healthcare professional.

A neurologist or headache specialist can provide additional treatment options, including prescription medications when necessary. They can also help ensure that your migraine management plan is comprehensive and tailored to your specific needs.

Tracking Progress and Adjusting Strategies

Migraine management is often an ongoing process of refinement. How can you track your progress? Continue maintaining your migraine diary, noting the frequency and severity of attacks as well as the effectiveness of various strategies. This information can help you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions about adjusting your management plan over time.

Remember, improvement may be gradual. Celebrate small victories, such as a reduction in migraine frequency or intensity, as you work towards better overall management of your condition.

Expert Tips For Migraine Relief At Home – Forbes Health

Migraine ranks as the second leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Survey^[1]Global Health Metrics. The Lancet. Accessed 12/01/2022. . Globally, research estimates this neurological condition affects 10% of all people^[2]Walter K. What Is Migraine?. JAMA. 2022;327(1):93. . The vast majority of those who experience migraine attacks report impacts to their daily school, work and social activities.

If you’re one of the millions of people in the U.S. with migraines, you may be in search of ways to find relief from your symptoms. While there are a number of prescription migraine treatments, experts recommend additional strategies at home to manage and improve migraine headache symptoms.

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What Are Migraines?

Migraine is a neurological disorder. More than just headaches, migraine attacks can consist of several different phases and involve head pain and other associated symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, sound or scents. The headache phase of a migraine attack can last anywhere from four hours to three days.

Though the precise cause of migraine is not yet known, scientists believe this disorder results from abnormal neurological activity caused by certain genetic mutations.

“We think of migraine as a hyper-excitable brain state, which can be triggered by internal factors like stress or infection or external factors—let’s say skipping a meal plus not sleeping well,” says Nada Hindiyeh, M.D., a headache specialist at Stanford Medicine in California who serves as co-chair of the American Headache Society Electronic Media Committee.

Because of these potential internal and external triggers, lifestyle modifications can aid in the treatment and prevention of migraine attacks.

Who Experiences Migraines?

Migraine headaches are extremely common, according to Jessica Ailani, M. D., director of the MedStar Georgetown Headache Center in McLean, Virginia, and a clinical professor of neurology at MedStar’s Georgetown University Hospital. As many as 40 million people in the U.S. experience migraines, which generally begin during adolescence or a person’s early adulthood.

Migraine is more common among women than men: Three out of four people who experience migraine attacks are women, generally between the ages of 20 and 45, according to the American Migraine Foundation^[3]How Long Does a Migraine Attack Last?. American Migraine Foundation. Accessed 12/01/2022. .

How to Treat Migraines at Home

If you’re experiencing or have experienced a migraine attack, here are some expert tips for alleviating migraine headaches at home.

Lifestyle Modifications

“Lifestyle modifications are one of the most important things that can help and prevent migraine,” said Dr. Hindiyeh. The migraine brain is triggered by irregularity, so maintaining a routine and regularity can be helpful, she explains.

According to Dr. Hindiyeh, specific lifestyle modifications may include:

• Going to sleep at the same time every night and waking up at the same time each morning
• Eating at the same times each day
• Maintaining a diet of fresh, nutritious foods
• Staying hydrated
• Practicing daily aerobic exercise
• Engaging in stress management strategies, including relaxation exercises and meditation

Supplements

Some research suggests certain dietary supplements may help reduce the frequency of migraines, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Specifically, these supplements may include:

• Butterbur: Butterbur is a supplement derived from a shrub that has been shown to help reduce the frequency of migraine. However, there are concerns due to potential liver toxicity.
• Coenzyme Q10: A substance naturally present in the body, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may reduce the length and frequency of migraine attacks, according to available research.
• Feverfew: Some studies have suggested that this medicinal plant can help with migraine prevention, though there are potential side effects and medication interactions.
• Magnesium: This mineral may help to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. There are potential side effects, however, and it’s recommended to take supplements under a health care provider’s supervision.
• Riboflavin: Also known as vitamin B2, riboflavin can potentially help to prevent migraine.

When taking supplements, however, it’s important to be aware of any contraindications and potential side effects. If you’re considering adding a supplement to your routine for migraine relief and prevention, first speak with your health care provider.

Warm or Cold Compresses

According to Dr. Hindiyeh, people with migraine may benefit from applying a warm or cold compress on either their head or neck, depending on personal preference. Dr. Hindiyeh suggests that cold may be helpful if you’re experiencing intense or throbbing pain, whereas a warm compress can help alleviate tightness or tension in the neck or upper back that may be contributing to migraine symptoms.

Essential Oils or Balms

“Some people prefer using essential oils or balms on their head,” says Dr. Ailani. She highlights both peppermint and lavender oils as potentially soothing options, though she notes there’s not much evidence to suggest these oils improve migraine pain.

Ginger

For people with migraine who experience nausea, ginger is an at-home remedy to try. “Try chewing on ginger (either fresh or ginger chews, which add sugar to ginger), which can settle the stomach and may help migraine pain,” says Dr. Ailani. Studies have also found that ginger can be helpful for nausea and vomiting as well as for helping to treat migraine attacks.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications can work to inhibit the inflammation and pain that builds during migraines, according to Dr. Ailani. OTC options include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and combination medications like acetaminophen with aspirin and caffeine.

Dr. Ailani emphasizes the importance of following the dosage instructions on the bottle when using OTC medications and limiting their use to the frequency indicated on the packaging. “If you find yourself using over-the-counter medications more than once a week to treat a migraine, it may be time to speak to a health care provider about your attacks,” she notes.

Over-the-Counter Devices

An OTC device called CEFALY may be an effective tool for treating migraines, says Dr. Ailani. The device is an external trigeminal nerve stimulation device, meaning it stimulates the nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve, which is often involved in migraine. Users attach the device to their forehead with an adhesive electrode.

There are two settings: one for acute treatment during a migraine attack and another that’s intended to serve as a preventative measure against future migraine attacks. The acute treatment reports delivering relief after an hour of wear, and the preventative treatment setting is reported to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine symptoms through daily 20-minute sessions.

While wearing, the user will experience micro-impulses that will stimulate the trigeminal nerve in the head. Research on the device’s efficacy remains ongoing, but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states there is sufficient evidence for using the device to treat an acute migraine attack, but evidence for treating subsequent attacks is limited. No major safety concerns have been identified.

Resting in a Dark, Quiet Room

While this tip may seem intuitive, it’s a measure that can help alleviate migraine symptoms. Both Dr. Ailani and Dr. Hindiyeh recommend laying down in a dark and quiet room to rest during a migraine attack. “Just being in an area where there’s not a lot of bright light or stimulation can help,” says Dr. Hindiyeh.

Stretching

In some cases, a symptom of migraine is neck pain or tightness. For these individuals, stretching the neck can be helpful, says Dr. Hindiyeh.

Stretches to try may include neck rotations, shoulder rolls, chin tucks or lateral flexion stretches, which involve moving the ear down toward the shoulder on the same side.

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When to See a Health Care Provider

“When you find that migraine is interrupting your life and you begin to plan your life around your condition, this is a good time to discuss migraine management with your health care provider,” says Dr. Ailani.

She recommends people with migraines start by seeing their primary care providers, where they can discuss how often they get migraine attacks and how those attacks impact their life, as well as what treatments—including lifestyle changes—they have tried. From there, they can begin tracking migraine attacks and symptoms and determine further treatment options to try.

When to Seek Emergency Care

While migraine itself is not dangerous, some types of headaches can be dangerous, according to Dr. Hindiyeh. “These kinds of headaches would require emergency care, and you’d need to go and be checked out,” she says.

Dr. Hindiyeh says potential headache red flags can be remembered by the acronym SNOOP, which stands for the following:

• Systemic symptoms, including fever, chills or rapid weight loss with a headache, says Dr. Hindiyeh. Also take precautions if you have secondary risk factors, such as a history of cancer or HIV.
• Neurologic symptoms, which refers to an altered mental status, such as confusion, difficulty thinking or impaired alertness.
• Onset. If the onset of a headache is very sudden and severe, that can be a red flag. “If it’s the worst headache of your life suddenly, that’s when I would go to the ER,” says Dr. Hindiyeh.
• Older age. Those over the age of 50 who are experiencing a new onset of headaches may want to seek medical care.
• Previous headache history. Dr. Hindiyeh explains this letter of the acronym can refer to a change in the usual pattern of your migraine headaches, such as shifts in frequency and differences in severity of symptoms. It can also stand for positional changes, meaning if the headache becomes a lot worse when you change position, such as standing up or laying down. It can also stand for pregnancy. “If someone has a new onset during pregnancy, I would certainly see a doctor,” says Dr. Hindiyeh.

Additionally, one should consider seeing a doctor if they’re experiencing status migrainosus, which occurs when a headache lasts for 72 hours or longer or doesn’t respond to treatments, says Dr. Hindiyeh. “You should see your doctor about options to break that cycle,” she says, noting that there are a variety of medications that can be used in this situation to help alleviate the migraine attack.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

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What is migraine?

Migraine is a type of headache characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head. The pain is caused by the activation of nerve fibers within the wall of brain blood vessels traveling inside the meninges (three layers of membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord).

Untreated attacks last from four to 72 hours. Other common symptoms include:

• Increased sensitivity to light, noise, and odors
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Routine physical activity, movement, or even coughing or sneezing can worsen the headache pain.

Migraines occur most frequently in the morning, especially upon waking. Some people have migraines at predictable times, such as before menstruation or on weekends following a stressful week of work. Many people feel exhausted or weak following a migraine but are usually symptom-free between attacks.

A number of different factors can increase your risk of having a migraine. These factors, which trigger the headache process, vary from person to person and include:

• Sudden changes in weather or environment
• Too much or not enough sleep
• Strong odors or fumes
• Emotion
• Stress
• Overexertion
• Loud or sudden noises
• Motion sickness
• Low blood sugar

• Skipped meals
• Tobacco
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Head trauma
• Hangover
• Some medications
• Hormonal changes
• Bright or flashing lights

Migraine is divided into four phases, all of which may be present during the attack:

1. Premonitory symptoms occur up to 24 hours prior to developing a migraine. These include food cravings, unexplained mood changes (depression or euphoria), uncontrollable yawning, fluid retention, or increased urination.
2. Aura—Some people will see flashing or bright lights or what looks like heat waves immediately prior to or during the migraine, while others may experience muscle weakness or the sensation of being touched or grabbed.
3. Headache—A migraine usually starts gradually and builds in intensity. It is possible to have migraine without a headache.
4. Postdrome—Individuals are often exhausted or confused following a migraine. The postdrome period may last up to a day before people feel healthy again.

The two major types of migraine are:

1. Migraine with aura, previously called classic migraine, includes visual disturbances and other neurological symptoms that appear about 10 to 60 minutes before the actual headache and usually last no more than an hour. Individuals may temporarily lose part or all of their vision. The aura may occur without headache pain, which can strike at any time. Other classic symptoms include trouble speaking; an abnormal sensation, numbness, or muscle weakness on one side of the body; a tingling sensation in the hands or face, and confusion. Nausea, loss of appetite, and increased sensitivity to light, sound, or noise may precede the headache.
2. Migraine without aura, or common migraine, is the more frequent form of migraine. Symptoms include headache pain that occurs without warning and is usually felt on one side of the head, along with nausea, confusion, blurred vision, mood changes, fatigue, and increased sensitivity to light, sound, or noise.

Other types of migraine include:

• Abdominal migraine mostly affects young children and involves moderate to severe pain in the middle of the abdomen lasting one to 72 hours, with little or no headache. Additional symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Many children who develop abdominal migraine will have migraine headaches later in life.
• Basilar-type migraine mainly affects children and adolescents. It occurs most often in teenage girls and may be associated with their menstrual cycle. Symptoms include partial or total loss of vision or double vision, dizziness and loss of balance, poor muscle coordination, slurred speech, a ringing in the ears, and fainting. The throbbing pain may come on suddenly and is felt on both sides at the back of the head.
• Hemiplegic migraine is a rare and severe form of migraine that causes temporary paralysis—sometimes lasting several days—on one side of the body prior to or during a headache. Symptoms such as vertigo, a pricking or stabbing sensation, and problems seeing, speaking, or swallowing may begin prior to the headache pain and usually stop shortly thereafter. When it runs in families the disorder is called familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM). Though rare, at least three distinct genetic forms of FHM have been identified. These genetic mutations make the brain more sensitive or excitable, most likely by increasing brain levels of a chemical called glutamate.
• Menstrual migraine affects women around the time of their period, although most women with menstrually-related migraine also have migraines at other times of the month. Symptoms may include migraine without aura, pulsing pain on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to sound and light.
• Migraine without headache is characterized by visual problems or other aura symptoms, nausea, vomiting, and constipation, but without head pain.
• Ophthalmoplegic migraine an uncommon form of migraine with head pain, along with a droopy eyelid, large pupil, and double vision that may last for weeks, long after the pain is gone.
• Retinal migraine is a condition characterized by attacks of visual loss or disturbances in one eye. These attacks, like the more common visual auras, are usually associated with migraine headaches.
• Status migrainosus is a rare and severe type of acute migraine in which disabling pain and nausea can last 72 hours or longer. The pain and nausea may be so intense that people need to be hospitalized.

Who is more likely to have migraine?

Migraines occur in both children and adults but affect adult women three times more often than men. Migraines are genetic. Most migraine sufferers have a family history of the disorder. They also frequently occur in people who have other medical conditions. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, and epilepsy are more common in individuals with migraine than in the general population. Individuals who have pre-migraine symptoms referred to as aura have a slightly increased risk of having a stroke.

Migraine in women often relates to changes in hormones. The headaches may begin at the start of the first menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. Most women see improvement after menopause, although surgical removal of the ovaries usually worsens migraines. Women with migraine who take oral contraceptives may experience changes in the frequency and severity of attacks, while women who do not suffer from headaches may develop migraines as a side effect of oral contraceptives.

How is migraine treated?

Migraine treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing additional attacks. Quick steps to ease symptoms may include:

• Napping or resting with eyes closed in a quiet, darkened room
• Placing a cool cloth or ice pack on the forehead
• Drinking lots of fluid, particularly if the migraine is accompanied by vomiting

Small amounts of caffeine may help relieve symptoms during a migraine’s early stages.

Drug therapy for migraine is divided into acute and preventive treatment. Acute or “abortive” medications are taken as soon as symptoms occur to relieve pain and restore function. Preventive treatment involves taking medicines daily to reduce the severity of future attacks or keep them from happening. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drugs enenmab (Aimovig) for the preventive treatment of headache and galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality) injections to treat episodic cluster headache. The FDA also has approved lasmiditan (Reyvow) and ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) tablets for short-term treatment of migraine with our without aura. Headache drug use should be monitored by a physician, since some drugs may cause side effects.

Acute treatment for migraine may include any of the following drugs:

• Triptan drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Serotonin causes blood vessels to constrict and lowers the pain threshold. Triptans—the preferred treatment for migraine—ease moderate to severe migraine pain.
• Ergot derivative drugs bind to serotonin receptors on nerve cells and decrease the transmission of pain messages along nerve fibers. They are most effective during the early stages of migraine.
• Non-prescription analgesics or over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen can ease the pain of less severe migraine headache.
• Combination analgesics involve a mix of drugs such as acetaminophen plus caffeine and/or a narcotic for migraine that may be resistant to simple analgesics.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
• Nausea relief drugs can ease queasiness brought on by various types of headache.
• Narcotics are prescribed briefly to relieve pain. These drugs should not be used to treat chronic headaches.

Everyone with migraine needs effective treatment at the time of the headaches. Some people with frequent and severe migraine need preventive medications. In general, prevention should be considered if migraines occur one or more times weekly, or if migraines are less frequent but disabling. Preventive medicines also are recommended for individuals who take symptomatic headache treatment more than three times a week. Physicians also will recommend that a migraine sufferer take one or more preventive medications two to three months to assess drug effectiveness, unless intolerable side effects occur.

Several preventive medicines for migraine were initially marketed for conditions other than migraine.

• Anticonvulsants may be helpful for people with other types of headaches in addition to migraine. Although originally developed for treating epilepsy, these drugs increase levels of certain neurotransmitters and dampen pain impulses.
• Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and are often effective for migraine.
• Calcium channel blockers are used to treat high blood pressure treatment and help to stabilize blood vessel walls. These drugs appear to work by preventing the blood vessels from either narrowing or widening, which affects blood flow to the brain.
• Antidepressants work on different chemicals in the brain; their effectiveness in treating migraine is not directly related to their effect on mood. Antidepressants may be helpful for individuals with other types of headaches because they increase the production of serotonin and also may affect levels of other chemicals, such as norepinephrine and dopamine.

Natural treatments for migraine include riboflavin (vitamin B2), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur (medicinal plant).

Non-drug therapy for migraine includes biofeedback and relaxation training, both of which help individuals cope with or control the development of pain and the body’s response to stress.

Lifestyle changes that reduce or prevent migraine attacks in some individuals include exercising, avoiding food and beverages that trigger headaches, eating regularly scheduled meals with adequate hydration, stopping certain medications, and establishing a consistent sleep schedule. Obesity increases the risk of developing chronic daily headache, so a weight loss program is recommended for obese individuals.

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Learn About Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are studies that allow us to learn more about disorders and improve care. They can help connect patients with new and upcoming treatment options.

How can I or my loved one help improve care for people with migraine?

Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about migraine and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.

All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.

For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with migraine at Clinicaltrials.gov.

Where can I find more information about migraine?

Information may be available from the following resources:

American Headache Society
Phone: 856-423-0043

Migraine Research Foundation
Phone: 212-249-5402

National Headache Foundation
Phone: 312-274-2650 or 888-643-5552

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How to support a person with migraine?

Living with a migraine is not easy, and often a person suffering from this disease needs help and support. If your friend, family member, or partner has a migraine, these tips may help.

• Do not question symptoms
• How to help relieve migraine pain
• Support but not intrusive
• Provide physical assistance
• Help learn triggers

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Don’t question the symptoms

Migraine is a disease that doesn’t show itself outwardly. Because people do not notice the symptoms, there are many misconceptions about migraines. It is often mistaken for a common headache.

It is difficult for people to realize that someone does not believe them due to the lack of visible symptoms. To support a person suffering from migraine, first of all, you need to believe that he really hurts. He needs rest and less stress.

During a migraine attack, in addition to a headache, a person may also experience other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, light or sound sensitivity. It’s pretty tedious.

How to help relieve migraine pain

Everyone experiences migraines differently. To support, it is important first of all to listen to the person, and only then you can try to help. Sometimes just turning off the light is enough. In other cases, a change in habits can help, such as avoiding perfume, certain products, or knowing when to leave a high-profile event.

The best way to find out if you need help is to ask! Don’t ask difficult questions like “How can I help you?” Such questions are too difficult for someone who is in pain. It is recommended to start small, such as whether he needs tea, a pill, or if it would be better to close the blinds. This allows for a simple “Yes” or “No” answer. The longer you know a person by observing their symptoms, the better you will understand how you can help.

Support but not intrusive

Try to help, and not just be interested in the state of the person. Don’t say you know what the person is going through unless you personally have a migraine. You cannot imagine what a person feels during an attack, but you can support with a word, try to help maintain a positive attitude, remind a loved one that he will soon feel better.

People suffering from migraine want to live habitually and be in the circle of relatives and friends, but migraine can become active at any moment and confuse all plans. Support includes the ability to change the schedule and enforce certain restrictions. People with migraine are forced to refuse some activities, due to a change in well-being. It is important for them that others understand that the life of a person with migraine is different from the lives of other people, and the reason for changing plans is the unpredictability of their illness, and not the unpredictability of character.

Provide physical assistance

Nothing is more disruptive than a migraine attack. Provide help as much as you can: cook meals, walk the dog, pick up kids from school, or do other urgent chores. This will help the loved one relax and recover faster.

Help learn about triggers

Migraines are often triggered by environmental irritants such as bright lights, loud noises, or certain foods. You can help your loved one by tracking down potential headache causes and helping them avoid or mitigate those triggers in the future.

Dehydration can also cause a migraine. If the person is not nauseated, offer water. Often, a glass of water can help prevent pain from developing.

Also, be aware of how your own behavior can affect a person who has a migraine. If the person is sensitive to light and sound, turn off bright lights, turn off the TV and music, take children and pets elsewhere, close doors, and try to remain quiet in the midst of a migraine attack. And from time to time visit the room where the person with the attack is located in case he needs something.

You need to see a doctor if your loved one has:

• the pain is not the same as usual;
• numbness;
• speech problems;
• high temperature;
• shortness of breath.

List your symptoms and tell your doctor what medications you have taken in case you need help.

Source:

How to Best Support Someone with Migraine

https://time.com/5616125/migraines-how-to-help/

https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/inside-migraines-17/slideshow-soothe-migraine

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Abdominal migraine: description of the disease, causes, symptoms, cost of treatment in Moscow

Array ( [0] => Dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting; [1] => Anorexia with frequent attacks; [2] => Neurasthenia; [3] => Asthenia; [4] => Depression; [5] => Misdiagnosis in which the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract is missed.)

Description of the disease

Abdominal migraine is a specific form of the disease in which the patient suffers from attacks not of a headache, but of pain in the abdomen. This is a psychogenic pain that develops without any pathological changes in the intestines, abdominal organs or peritoneal muscles. The disease is observed in childhood and adolescence, and in adults occurs only as an exception. Pain in pathology strongly resembles an attack of appendicitis or other pathologies of the intestines, which requires a full examination of the patient. The pain syndrome in this migraine is moderate to severe, and in some cases it is unbearable. The disease cannot be ignored, and it requires mandatory treatment with the involvement of a specialist.

The particular danger of this form of the disease is that severe disorders requiring urgent surgical intervention can easily be missed. This phenomenon is possible in cases where the attack is not the first, and the patient takes painkillers to relieve it. In reality, this is not a migraine condition, but symptoms of another disease. As a result, a blurred picture can cause a serious complication that will pose a danger to the life of the patient.

The first migraine in children usually appears between the ages of 2 and 6 years. Attacks occur with varying intensity, as with ordinary migraine, and can be disturbing very rarely, or develop constantly. During sleep, the pain completely subsides, which is associated with changes in the work of the central nervous system at this moment. Up to 20 years, the percentage of patients of both sexes is the same. After 20 years in women, pathology is diagnosed more often, although it is a rare occurrence. The fact that in adults there is almost no pain of a migraine nature in the abdomen is associated with peculiarities in the work of the central nervous system. Most often, the abdominal form of the disease is characterized as childhood migraine.

The pain attack lasts on average from 1 to 2 hours. At the same time, in some patients, it can last only a few minutes, or, conversely, last for 5 days, which is especially dangerous, since it easily leads to severe dehydration that requires medical intervention. Pathology is most often hereditary in nature and occurs in children whose parents faced the same problem in childhood. When diagnosing a disease, the main principle is to exclude the presence of other pathologies in a patient.

Causes

The initial causes of the disease have not been sufficiently studied to date. Only factors that can cause the development of pain syndrome have been established. Pain can occur for the following reasons:

• strong nervous experiences – in children they can occur on many occasions that seem insignificant to an adult and do not require attention. Because of this, parents cannot always determine what provoked the child’s problem;

• metabolic disorders;

• rapid growth – while muscle tissue, bones and internal organs in children do not increase in size in the same way and are forced to catch up with each other;

• wrong mode of sleep and rest;

• a sharp increase in workload – especially often observed at the beginning of schooling. Causes an increase in seizures in children 7 years old;

• physical activities – when they are too big for this age category. Usually this cause occurs in adolescents;

• unbalanced, illiterate nutrition;

• sudden change in weather or climate;

• use of a number of drugs.

To determine the patient’s condition, the doctor needs to know as accurately as possible about what followed the onset of the attack. This will allow not only to make the correct diagnosis faster, but also to prescribe the most effective treatment.

Diagnosis

If abdominal pain occurs, the presence of other pathologies must be excluded. For this, a general examination of the patient is carried out. The main activities are as follows:

• abdominal ultrasound;

• magnetic resonance imaging – performed if possible;

• clinical blood test;

• urinalysis.

It is also important to describe your condition to the doctor as accurately as possible and to name the time of the onset of the attack. Be sure to collect an anamnesis of the disease. The diagnosis is made only after receiving all the data of the examination of the patient.

Performed by

Makhmudova Aza Dzaindievna

Otorhinolaryngologist

Kurbanov Farid Firudinovich

Otorhinolaryngologist surgeon, Ph.D.

Papulova Elena Guryevna

Otorhinolaryngologist

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