What are the key differences between migraines and headaches. How can you identify migraine triggers and manage symptoms effectively. What treatment options are available for both acute relief and long-term prevention of migraines.

Distinguishing Migraines from Common Headaches

Migraines are often misunderstood and incorrectly equated with severe headaches. In reality, migraines are complex neurological disorders that encompass a range of symptoms beyond head pain. Understanding the distinctions between migraines and regular headaches is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

How do migraines differ from typical headaches? Migraines are characterized by:

• Throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side of the head
• Visual disturbances known as auras
• Heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and smells
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue

In contrast, common headaches usually involve dull, steady pain on both sides of the head without additional neurological symptoms. Recognizing these differences can help individuals seek appropriate medical care and develop effective management strategies.

Identifying Migraine Risk Factors and Triggers

Understanding the risk factors and triggers associated with migraines is essential for prevention and management. What factors increase the likelihood of experiencing migraines?

Common Risk Factors:

• Family history: Migraines often have a genetic component
• Gender: Women are more prone to migraines than men
• Hormonal changes: Adolescence and menopause can impact migraine frequency

Potential Migraine Triggers:

• Sleep deprivation
• Irregular meal patterns
• Caffeine withdrawal
• Emotional or physical stress
• Certain foods and beverages (e.g., red wine, chocolate, aged cheese)

Is trigger avoidance alone sufficient to control migraines? While identifying and avoiding triggers can be helpful, it may not be enough to completely prevent migraines. Many patients with isolated migraines find it challenging to pinpoint specific triggers, and a comprehensive management approach is often necessary.

Decoding Migraine Symptoms and Visual Auras

Migraine symptoms can vary from person to person, but understanding common manifestations can aid in early recognition and treatment. What are the hallmark symptoms of a migraine attack?

Key migraine symptoms include:

• Intense, throbbing headache (usually unilateral)
• Visual auras (e.g., flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots)
• Hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli
• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Fatigue and weakness

Visual auras are a distinctive feature of many migraine attacks. How can you differentiate between migraine-related visual symptoms and other eye conditions? Migraine auras typically involve “positive” visual phenomena, such as shimmering or sparkling disturbances. In contrast, episodes of pure visual darkness or “negative” symptoms are less likely to be associated with migraines and may require further evaluation for other conditions, including mini-strokes.

Exploring Migraine Variants: Silent Migraines and Acephalgic Migraines

Can migraines occur without head pain? Indeed, some individuals experience migraine episodes without the characteristic headache. This phenomenon is known as acephalgic migraine or “silent migraine.” These episodes share many similarities with typical migraines, including visual auras and other neurological symptoms, but lack the accompanying head pain.

Understanding acephalgic migraines is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. Patients experiencing visual disturbances or other migraine-like symptoms without headache should consult a healthcare professional to rule out other potential causes and develop an appropriate management plan.

Acute Migraine Management: Short-Term Relief Strategies

When a migraine strikes, prompt and effective treatment can significantly reduce its impact. What are the recommended approaches for managing acute migraine attacks?

Simple Strategies for Mild Headaches:

• Eating a balanced meal
• Consuming caffeine
• Practicing meditation or relaxation techniques
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)

Treatment Options for Moderate to Severe Migraines:

• Early intervention with medication
• Non-oral treatments for those experiencing nausea (e.g., injections, suppositories)
• Over-the-counter combination medications with caffeine
• Prescription triptans

Triptans are a class of medications specifically designed to target migraine symptoms. How do triptans work? These drugs act on blood vessel receptors and brain cells to halt migraine progression in its early stages. While several triptan formulations are available, they generally offer similar efficacy and can be administered orally, via injection, or as nasal sprays.

It’s important to note that triptans may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with a history of cardiovascular conditions. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment options for your specific situation.

Long-Term Migraine Prevention: Lifestyle Changes and Preventive Medications

For individuals experiencing frequent or severe migraines, preventive strategies can significantly improve quality of life. What approaches are effective for long-term migraine prevention?

Lifestyle Modifications:

• Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Regular exercise and stress management
• Identifying and avoiding personal triggers
• Adopting a migraine-friendly diet

Preventive Medications:

• Beta-blockers
• Antidepressants
• Anticonvulsants
• Calcium channel blockers
• CGRP antagonists

When should preventive treatments be considered? Patients who experience frequent migraines (typically more than four per month), severe attacks that significantly impact daily life, or inadequate response to acute treatments may benefit from preventive therapies. A neurologist or headache specialist can help determine the most appropriate preventive strategy based on individual factors and medical history.

Emerging Therapies and Future Directions in Migraine Management

As our understanding of migraine pathophysiology continues to evolve, new treatment options are emerging. What innovative approaches are being developed for migraine prevention and management?

Promising Migraine Therapies:

• Neuromodulation devices
• Monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP
• Botulinum toxin injections
• Gepants (small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists)
• Personalized medicine approaches

How might these emerging therapies impact migraine treatment in the future? These innovative approaches offer the potential for more targeted and personalized migraine management, potentially reducing side effects and improving overall efficacy. As research progresses, patients may have access to a wider range of treatment options tailored to their specific migraine patterns and underlying biology.

Navigating Migraine Care: When to Seek Professional Help

While many migraines can be managed with self-care and over-the-counter treatments, certain situations warrant professional medical attention. When should individuals consult a healthcare provider for their migraines?

Signs to Seek Medical Evaluation:

• Sudden onset of severe headache
• New or unusual headache patterns
• Headaches accompanied by neurological deficits
• Migraines that interfere significantly with daily activities
• Inadequate response to current treatments

What can patients expect during a migraine consultation? A healthcare provider will typically perform a thorough medical history, physical examination, and may order additional tests to rule out other conditions. Based on this evaluation, they can develop a personalized treatment plan that may include lifestyle modifications, acute treatments, and preventive strategies.

By working closely with healthcare professionals and staying informed about the latest developments in migraine management, individuals can take control of their condition and minimize its impact on their daily lives. Remember that effective migraine care often requires a multifaceted approach, combining lifestyle changes, medication management, and ongoing monitoring to achieve optimal results.

Migraine vs. Headache | Mass General Brigham

Contributor:
Sashank Prasad, MD

Mar 3, 2023

6 minute read

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To many, the word “migraine” is synonymous with “severe headache.” It conjures images of people holding their heads in dark bedrooms or leaving work early to avoid loud sounds and bright screens.

But there’s more to migraines than head pain alone. In fact, migraines are considered neurological diseases that are often misunderstood—even by those who experience them.

In this article, Sashank Prasad, MD, a Mass General Brigham neurologist and chief of the Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, answers six common questions about migraines.

1. What are the risk factors and triggers for migraines?

Risk factors that increase the chance of having migraines include:

• Family history: Migraines often run in the family.
• Gender: Migraines are more common in women than men.
• Hormonal status: It’s natural for a woman to notice a change in headaches and other migraine symptoms in adolescence or around the time of menopause.

Migraine triggers include:

• Lack of sleep
• Skipping meals
• Caffeine withdrawal
• Emotional or physical stress
• Certain foods or drinks (including red wine, chocolate, or aged cheese)

For many patients with isolated migraines, however, it’s difficult to pinpoint specific triggers. Furthermore, trigger avoidance alone may not be enough to control headaches.

2. What are the common migraine symptoms?

Common migraine symptoms include:

• A throbbing, pulsing, usually one-sided headache
• Visual symptoms, called “auras” (for example, flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots)
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and/or smells
• Nausea, sometimes with vomiting
• Fatigue

What are the signs that my visual symptoms aren’t due to a migraine?

The typical visual symptoms of a migraine—the auras—are “positive,” meaning that something shimmering or sparkling is disrupting the vision.

Migraines are less likely to cause “negative” symptoms of pure visual darkness. An episode of visual darkness typically requires further evaluation for other conditions, including a mini-stroke.

3. Can I have a migraine without a headache?

It’s quite common to have a migraine without a headache. The medical term for this is “acephalgic migraine.” Except for the absence of a headache, the visual symptoms in this type of migraine are identical to the episodes that accompany a classic migraine aura.

4. What are the short-term migraine treatments?

An isolated migraine without a headache typically does not require any acute treatment. The first few times someone experiences a visual migraine it may cause some anxiety. That anxiety, however, usually subsides once they become familiar with the symptoms.

Some patients can tell when a headache is beginning. They may find that early use of simple strategies can nip a mild headache in the bud. These simple treatments for headache relief  include such things as eating, having caffeine, meditating, or taking an over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

When headaches are moderate or severe, some patients need other treatment. Take headache medications sooner rather than later to stop the headache before it becomes too severe. If you vomit due to migraines, you may need non-oral medicines such as injections or rectal suppositories. Some patients find over-the-counter combinations of simple pain relief medications in combination with caffeine to be helpful. Other patients try a class of prescription medications known as “triptans.”

Triptans are specially designed to work on receptors on blood vessels and brain cells to halt a migraine at an early stage. Although there are several different triptans each of these is similarly effective. You can take them by mouth, as an injection or a nasal spray. These medicines are generally not considered safe in patients with a history of strokes, heart attacks, or other vascular diseases.

5. What are the preventive migraine treatments?

Many patients who experience isolated migraines without severe headaches don’t require specific preventive treatments. If a patient is aware of the triggers that seem to bring on their episodes, however, they can avoid those specific triggers.

For patients whose migraine pattern includes frequent, severe headaches, it’s very reasonable to consider additional preventive treatments. The main goal for any of these strategies is to reduce the number of severe headaches you experience. No preventive treatment, however, is 100% effective. For example, reducing the number of severe headaches from eight per month to two to four per month would be a success.

There are many medications that can be used as a preventive treatment for migraine. Medications used as preventive treatments can cause side effects, but starting with a low dose and then increasing the dose slowly is usually a helpful strategy.

Preventive medications for migraine may include:

• Amitriptyline
• Topiramate
• Propranolol
• Valproic acid
• Botulism injections

Other vitamins, minerals, and herbal preparations can be used to help prevent migraines as well.    

6. How can I prevent a migraine without using medicines?

Some preventive migraine treatments don’t require medication. Many people find that regular exercise makes them feel better. Other strategies include improving sleep habits, or learning to cope more effectively with stress by learning relaxation techniques such as biofeedback or meditation.

11 Foods that Help Migraines Go Away

Many people with migraine, especially those who have suffered from debilitating headaches for many years, come to believe that certain foods and drinks can trigger their attacks.

While most common on their lists are chocolate, cheese, and coffee, most clinical studies found none of the so-called food triggers to be consistent and reliable, meaning that even these foods or drinks do not trigger migraine attacks every time they are consumed. On the other hand, foods/drinks that ‘help’ with migraine (such as caffeine) can sometimes stop an oncoming attack or abort an acute one, but sometimes they don’t.

Because of this general ‘lack of consistency,’ the relationship between migraine and certain foods is not considered hard-core science. Nevertheless, you may find it helpful to know what millions of migraine patients find helpful for them.

You know some foods are healthy in abundance, and some are best kept to a minimum. But for many people with migraine, eating healthy is more complicated. Some foods help prevent or reduce the length and intensity of migraines, while others can trigger severe migraines. Read on to learn which foods to skip and which foods might even help migraines go away.

Discover 11 foods that can help migraines go away

Below are a few of the best foods to try to see if they positively impact your migraines. The first few are all rich in magnesium, a nutrient that seems to play a role in migraines.

Magnesium supplements (oral or intravenous) are common treatments for migraine. The science behind this practice is that the ongoing pain of migraine causes neurons in the brain to become more active and more sensitive than normal, and that this hypersensitivity plays a big role in the chronification of migraine (i. e., in the progression of migraine from a few times a month to a few times a week).

Magnesium is a gate-keeper to these neurons. When it is found in abundance, it keeps the gates closed and prevents the neurons from becoming more active or more sensitive. When it is depleted, the gates open and ions (such as sodium, potassium and calcium) or chemicals (such as glutamate) can alter the physiological properties of the neurons involved in the generation of migraine headache.

1. Spinach could help migraines go away

This dark leafy green vegetable is particularly rich in magnesium. One cup of cooked spinach contains 157 milligrams, making it an easy and excellent way to start increasing the magnesium levels in your diet. Add spinach to your scrambled eggs in the morning, toss some baby spinach into your salad at lunch, or make sautéed spinach with garlic as a side for dinner.

2. Kale might help migraineurs

Related to cabbage and broccoli (but surprisingly, not spinach!), kale is also packed with magnesium — about 32 milligrams in one cup of chopped leaves. Kale is tougher than spinach and more of an acquired taste. It’s also high in fiber, which is essential for an overall healthy diet.

If you prefer eating your greens raw but don’t like kale’s toughness, chop the leaves fine, squeeze with lemon juice, and let sit for an hour to soften the leaves a bit. Check out this Greek kale salad recipe for inspiration (just skip the lemon – you’ll soon learn why!). You can then toss the kale in salad or a quick stir-fry. You can saute kale like spinach, add it to pasta dishes, or roast it to make crispy kale chips.

3. Collard, mustard, and turnip greens

These greens are all high in magnesium and add delicious variety to your migraine diet. Known as traditional southern greens, this trio is excellent sauteed, braised, or added to soups. For example, check out this quick collard green recipe, or this recipe for southern collard greens. You could even add these greens into your pasta, for example this dish with pasta collard greens and onions.

4. Almonds

These tree-nuts are also packed with magnesium and are easy to enjoy on the go. They are also high in healthful fats and fiber.

You can enjoy almonds, raw or roasted, ground into almond butter, or as a “milk” in cereal or smoothies. If you don’t like almonds, then cashews and Brazil nuts are also excellent sources of magnesium.

Be careful of overdoing any nuts in your diet — stick to about a quarter cup a day because they are high in calories.

5. Avocados

These green gems are fruits and, you guessed it, they’re high in magnesium. They are rich in healthy fats, too. Guacamole is a classic (and delicious!) recipe for avocados, but you can also add chunks of avocado to salads and slices to sandwiches. Here’s how to make a simple guacamole.

Avocado is excellent with eggs and adds a rich creaminess to smoothies. For example, check out this five ingredient avocado smoothie recipe.

Be aware that avocados are triggers for some migraineurs, especially when they are over-ripe, as they can be high in tyramine. “Certain foods that are high in tyramine can cause migraines,” says Jennifer Kriegler, MD, of the Center for Neurological Restoration at the Cleveland Clinic. “Tyramine is an amino acid that many people can digest. However, if a person has the enzyme monoamine oxidase deficiency or if the person is taking certain antidepressants it can interfere with the breakdown process.” according to The Healthy.

6. Dark Chocolate

When you feel the start of a migraine, enjoying an ounce of dark chocolate may help. Studies have shown that eating cocoa in foods can help lower blood pressure. And high blood pressure has been linked to migraines, such as in this study with 29,040 female participants.

At the start, the women did not have hypertension. In the follow-up 12.2 years later, 15,176 experienced incident hypertension. Pain can lead to stress, which can cause a person’s blood pressure to rise. As a result, the continual stress of lengthy migraine appears to lead to hypertension.

Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols, plant chemicals that may support overall heart health and reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Here are Food52’s top rated dark chocolate bars, from simple sea salt to extra dark chocolate.

But be careful: you should keep your dark chocolate intake to no more than an ounce a day, and watch for negative reactions. Many migraine sufferers report chocolate and caffeine as a headache trigger. Dark chocolate is also high in calories and contains saturated fat; overconsumption can lead to weight gain and undermine its healthful benefits.

7. Fatty fish

Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce the severity and frequency of migraine attacks in some patients. More research is needed, but a promising small-scale study at the University of Cincinnati found significant headache improvements in participants who took fish oil supplements over a three-week period, compared to participants given a placebo oil. Of 15 migraine sufferers taking the fish oil in the study, 9 showed improvements.

Talk with your migraine-care doctor about the best way to increase your intake of Omega-3s. They may suggest fish oil supplements, but simply eating fatty fish several times each week may suffice.

As a bonus, salmon, mackerel, and other fatty fish are high in magnesium. Here are 45 simple salmon recipes for a delicious meal.

8. Flax seeds

These tiny seeds are a good, plant-based source of Omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium. The whole seeds are indigestible, so flax seed must be ground. You can buy pre-ground flax seed, or you can grind them at home as needed with a food processor or coffee grinder.

Also, one tablespoon of ground flax has 3 grams of fiber, including soluble fiber which might be helpful in balancing blood sugar and lower cholesterol levels. Add ground flax seeds to smoothies, steel-cut oatmeal, or any dish — they add a subtle nutty flavor. Here are a few simple flax seed recipes.

9. Ginger can help migraines go away

A 2014 study found that powdered ginger was as effective in reducing headache pain during an attack as sumatriptan, a common prescription medication for migraine. Drinking ginger tea helps with headaches, but you can add ginger to your food as well.

Fresh grated or thin-sliced ginger are delicious additions to stir-frys, noodle bowls, and salad dressings. You can even put it in your tea. Here are 100 fresh ginger recipes.

10. Healthy food choices overall

A well-rounded diet featuring plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins is best for everybody — including people with migraines. Stress is also a primary migraine trigger, so you don’t want to spend time worrying about the exact right diet, especially since it will be slightly different for every migraineur. 

Track your diet and your headaches in a migraine diary and trust that your experiences will guide your nutrition decisions. Here are a few additional stress management ideas.

11. Small portions spread throughout the day

To help manage your migraines, shift your mindset away from three squares a day. Instead, aim to eat five meals with smaller portion sizes timed as evenly throughout the day as your schedule allows. Waiting too long between meals can lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can trigger headaches and migraine. Skipping meals is also a common migraine trigger that eating smaller meals throughout the day can help you avoid.

Now you know which foods help migraines go away. Here’s a quick printable recap to keep handy.

A migraine-friendly foods list:

• Salmon
• Herring
• Mackerel
• Anchovies
• Sardines
• Spinach
• Kale
• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Turnip greens
• Crystallized ginger
• Pumpkin seeds
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Brazil nuts
• Avocados and dark chocolate sometimes

See 5 migraine foods to avoid

It’s also important to consider which foods to avoid to help with migraines. Here are five common foods to stay away from or to track your experiences with in your migraine journal.

1. Aged cheeses are a food to potentially avoid for migraine

Aging cheese develops its flavor, but also increases the compound tyramine — a common migraine trigger. Tyramine occurs naturally during the aging process and becomes more potent the longer a cheese ages. In general, hard or crumbly cheeses are aged longer. Cheese varieties to avoid include:

• Parmesan
• Pecorino romano
• Blue cheese
• Swiss
• Cheddar
• Provolone

Cheeses lower in tyramine include fresh cheeses, such as mozzarella, ricotta, and cream cheese.

2. Cured meats

Many cured meats contain nitrates as a preservative. Nitrates increase the levels of nitric oxide in the blood, which is linked to migraines. A 2010 study published in the journal Cephalalgia found that the risk of migraine was more than three times higher in participants with higher nitric oxide levels. Additionally, a 2016 study found that migraine sufferers had slightly higher concentrations of bacteria in their digestive system that breaks down nitrates and, in turn, elevates nitric oxide.

3. Citrus fruits

These sweet, tart, and refreshing fruits are a top migraine trigger, according to the American Migraine Foundation. A 2012 study of dietary triggers found citrus was a perceived trigger for migraine with aura, but not for migraine without aura. A 2015 study found no connection between citrus and risk of migraine. If you enjoy oranges or lemonade, you should probably keep your intake moderate and note your response in your migraine diary. If you develop a migraine within hours or a day of eating citrus, it’s time to cut it from your diet.

4. Fermented foods

Though they have an abundance of gut-healthy probiotics, fermented foods can trigger headaches in some migraineurs. Pickles, kimchi, and sauerkraut contain histamines that can cause attacks. In a study from 1992, chronic headache sufferers experienced significant improvements in their headaches after four weeks on a histamine-free diet. Today, researchers are seeking to pinpoint the role of histamine in migraines and develop histamine-focused migraine treatments.

5. Dark chocolate

Why does dark chocolate appear on both the “enjoy” and “avoid” lists? Nitrates and caffeine are to blame. If you are super-sensitive to caffeine, you may have to avoid it altogether — including the moderate amounts found in dark chocolate. The bittersweet treat also contains nitrates, the same compounds that make cured meats problematic.

Now you know which foods could contribute negatively to migraines. Here’s a quick printable recap to keep handy.

A migraine food triggers list

Aged cheeses:

• Parmesan cheese
• Manchego cheese
• Swiss cheese
• Aged cheddar cheese

Cured meats:

• Pancetta
• Pastrami
• Salami
• Chorizo
• Pepperoni
• Bacon

Citrus fruits:

• Oranges
• Grapefruits
• Lemons
• Limes

Fermented foods:

• Kimchi
• Sauerkraut
• Miso
• Kefir
• Tempeh
• Beer
• Yogurt with probiotics
• Kombucha

Dark chocolate:

• Bittersweet and dark chocolate containing more than 35-percent cocoa

Create a migraine diet plan

To help manage your migraines, it’s ideal to eat five small meals a day. And try not to skip meals. Here’s a sample migraine diet plan for a day to inspire your own migraine meal planning:

• Meal 1 – Breakfast fried rice with broccoli, ginger, and egg. Choose omega-3 eggs and flavor lightly with an unfermented soy sauce substitute, such as liquid aminos.
• Meal 2 – A spinach green smoothie with a handful of cashews.
• Meal 3 – Chopped kale salad with grilled chicken breast.
• Meal 4 – Maple-glazed and sesame seed salmon with roasted fingerling potatoes.
• Meal 5 – Guacamole with root veggie chips.

Now you know foods that help migraines go away

With knowledge, you can boost foods that allay your migraines and avoid those that trigger attacks. Remember, there are no universal triggers for all migraine patients. Use this list as a guide and record your response to any food you add or subtract from your diet in your migraine diary. Quickly, you’ll find the foods you can relish in the moment without regretting later. Next up, find out what drinks help headaches.

Headache in the temples or back of the head, relieve headache

Headache: causes and symptoms

Headache is one of the most unpleasant sensations that causes serious discomfort and can disrupt the usual routine of any person. It occurs for various reasons, has different ways of manifestation and can signal certain health problems.

As is known, the brain tissue itself cannot get sick due to the fact that it lacks pain receptors. In fact, headaches occur due to irritation of pain receptors localized in:

• brain vessels, soft tissues;
• dura mater;
• cranial periosteum;
• local muscles.

Features of localization in no way negate the fact that a headache is an unpleasant and rather serious symptom that may indicate health problems. Much depends on the type of pain.

Types of headaches

Headaches are divided into primary and secondary. In the first case, painful sensations are the main manifestation of the disease, while in the second case they are a symptomatic consequence of other disorders, for example, injuries, ailments of organs and body systems.

Types of headache

• migraine. Migraines are the scourge of our time. Most often it is a unilateral severe throbbing pain, which is aggravated by physical activity, accompanied by sensations of nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sounds. It can last from a couple of hours to several days and be repeated at regular intervals.
• tension headache. The most common type – more than 70% occasionally encounter it. It is usually provoked by stress or excessive tension in the neck, shoulders. May be caused by depression. Appears symmetrically on both sides of the head, medium in intensity, but dull and obsessive. It feels like a hoop is squeezing the head.
• cluster. It usually occurs in one person in a thousand, and most often affects the male population. It is felt in the form of frequent short-term severe attacks of pain, which is accompanied by painful sensations in the eye area with lacrimation.

These are the main varieties. Primary headaches also include many trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and some other types of cephalalgias.

Types of secondary headache

• triggered by overuse of headache medications. It can be distinguished by a pressing sensation, a long-term steady manifestation, and an increase immediately after waking up.
• sinus. Occurs in the region of the superciliary arches, cheekbones, nose due to problems with the sinuses. It could be irritation, inflammation, swelling, or mucus filling. Pain goes away with healing.

These are the most common cases. Generally speaking, secondary pain syndrome is always caused by a specific disease, so its definition and treatment depend on what exactly was the root cause.

What are the causes of headaches?

There are a lot of factors that can provoke pain syndrome, and they have different nature, manifestations, frequency and duration. However, it occurs in all areas of the head. Frequent headaches may occur alone or in combination with other symptoms of malaise.

Common causes, including severe headache, are:

• reactions to changes in weather conditions;
• violations of the daily regime of the day;
• stress conditions, depression;
• overeating, malnutrition;
• sedentary lifestyle, prolonged neck muscle tension, etc.;
• thermal shock from prolonged exposure to heat, as well as hypothermia
• excessive physical activity, violation of the rest regimen;
• negative habits, including smoking, drinking alcohol.

Also headache in the back of the head may occur due to vasospasm, high blood pressure, trauma, overwork and some diseases. In turn, headache in the temples occurs due to circulatory disorders in the vascular system of the neck and brain, displacement of the vertebrae, muscle spasms, pinched nerves.

How to get rid of a headache?

The question of how to relieve a headache appears immediately after the onset of the pain syndrome itself. There are many drug and non-drug methods that help to cope with painful sensations.

If it is a one-time ailment and you want to do without drugs, then you should try:

• acupressure or general head massage;
• aromatherapy with essential oils;
• take a hot bath or shower;
• drink pure water, tea with lemon, cinnamon or ginger, mint decoction;
• go outside for fresh air.

If you experience pain more than once a week and notice that you are taking pills more often, it is better to seek advice from a specialist at the Modus Center. It is likely that in this way the body signals to you that there is a more serious problem in the body. It can be solved, and the sooner you start undergoing therapy, the sooner you can return to a full life without pain.

At the Modus Medical Center, doctors will quickly find the source of the problem and help you cope with it with the help of kinesitherapy and active-passive rehabilitation. As soon as the cause is eliminated, the headache will immediately go away.

Migraine, treatment – Clinic Zdorovye 365 Yekaterinburg

Doctors say that many women do not talk about how badly they have a headache because they do not want to complain too much. One of the problems may be that people suffering from migraines think that nothing will help them. They have watched their mother or grandmother suffer from a migraine and think they should suffer too. Despite significant advances in pharmacology and the large number of treatment options that are available today, many continue to take the ineffective drugs that their older relatives used to combat migraine pain.

Typically, migraine patients take some kind of pain medication, lie in bed, try to overcome nausea and vomiting, and protect themselves from lights, sounds, and smells that can trigger or exacerbate a migraine attack.

Unfortunately, many migraine sufferers do not see a doctor, despite the fact that today there are many effective treatments.

If you have migraine attacks, it is important to build a good relationship with your doctor because migraine is a recurring disease. The first step is to find a doctor with experience in migraine treatment who understands that migraine is a disease that occurs due to changes at the biological level.

We recommend that you find a doctor who is willing to consider several treatment options, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes.

During treatment, communication can be poorly tolerated by patients for a number of reasons, but it is the key to effective treatment. About half of migraine patients have stopped looking for a way to deal with their headaches, in part because they were not satisfied with the treatment, a statistic that can be improved by patient-physician communication.

Communication and treatment counselors can provide advice on how to start a dialogue with a doctor, discuss symptoms and treatment options. Many people believe that if you mark a calendar when attacks occur, you can learn how to control headaches. This method is especially effective when you and your doctor begin to draw up a treatment program.

In the headache calendar, note:

• when headaches occur
• severity and duration of headaches
• possible pathogens, including diet, stress, environment, etc.
• dates of menses
• remedies that did not help with pain

The National Headache Foundation of America website www.headaches.org also provides a wealth of useful information for people with headaches, including a headache diary:

treatment and then evaluate the treatment you are currently receiving. Rate how satisfied you are with the chosen treatment program (from “completely satisfied” and ending with “extremely dissatisfied” with intermediate ratings). Rate the treatment according to the following criteria:

• fast acting
• causes the fewest side effects
• non-sedating
• reduces sensitivity to bright lights and/or sounds
• easy to use
• relieves headache
• only needs to be taken once a week
• exists in the form of injections
• is available as a nasal spray
• is available as 9 tablets0012
• is proven effective
• is available in various shapes

Also rank these criteria according to how important they are to you. Use the description (from “very important” to “not important”) to help you prioritize and tailor a treatment program that’s right for you.

Next, make a list of activities that you think you have to neglect because of a migraine. Be sure to include work, relationships with family members, personal time, sleep, sports, social status, or other activities that have to be relegated to the background due to migraine attacks.

In fact, if you write down what you have to give up because of a migraine and discuss it with your doctor, then the doctor will be able to choose the most comprehensive course of treatment. Most often, doctors select a more effective method of treatment if they receive detailed information about the symptoms.

Unfortunately, often during consultations little attention is paid to activities that have to be abandoned because of a headache. In order to get more information about such activities, there is, for example, a questionnaire that estimates the number of activities that have to be abandoned due to migraine.

Then make an appointment with the doctor to discuss your particular case. Take your lists with you. Ask for a course of treatment that takes into account the factors that seem most important to you in managing your headache and are consistent with your lifestyle. Before leaving the doctor’s office, make an appointment to discuss the effectiveness or failure of the chosen treatment option.

Finally, after starting treatment, write down in a diary the frequency and severity of headaches, and how the treatment affects you. At your next visit, show your doctor your notes and, if necessary, ask for changes to your treatment. Finding the right treatment for you takes patience and adjustments.

Medication

The doctor makes a treatment plan based on how often headaches occur. Rare headaches (once or twice a month) are usually treated with fast-acting, strong medications that reduce headache, nausea, and increased sensitivity to bright lights and/or sounds. Women with migraine often have to change the type of treatment. They are recommended preventive treatment.

If you have frequent or prolonged headaches, or if you have pain that interferes with your daily activities, you will need to take medication daily to prevent migraines.

Medicines to treat or shorten the duration of migraine

One of the most commonly used drug classes is the triptans. Scientists aren’t sure exactly how they work, but these drugs reduce migraine headaches and ease the aura. Specialized triptans include naratriptan (Amerge by Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt by Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex by Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig by Zomig), almotriptan (Axert, Axert), frovatriptan (Frova). , Frova) and eletriptan (Relpax by Relpax). All triptans listed are available in tablet form. “Imitrex” and “Zomig” are also produced in the form of a nasal spray, and “Imitrex” in the form of injections. The fastest and most effective drugs in the form of injections.

The following are medicines used for emergency management of severe migraine pain :

• dihydroergotamine (Migrenol Migrainol, DHE 45)
• Ergotamine, a drug that was commonly prescribed for migraine before the advent of triptans. Ergotamine is a more economical, but at the same time, less effective option. Ergotamine is usually given to people with long-lasting (more than 48 hours) or frequent migraines.
• opioids, namely codeine
• corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone and dexamethasone

Since ergotamine and dihydroergotamine (DHE 45) can cause nausea and vomiting, they can be combined with anti-nausea drugs. Experts warn that ergotamine should not be taken in excessive doses by people with angina, severe hypertension, or vascular, liver, or kidney disease. The same goes for DHE. Also, this drug is not recommended for pregnant women.

Medicines to treat/prevent frequent migraine attacks :

• Beta-blockers prevent vasodilation. These include propranolol (Inderal Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard Corgard), and timolol (Blocarden Blocadren). Caution: Doctors recommend that people taking beta-blockers, and especially those with a family history of heart disease, do not stop taking these drugs abruptly.
• Calcium channel blockers prevent migraine in susceptible individuals. Common calcium channel blockers include: verapamil (Calan Calan, Isoptin Isoptin), nifedipine (Procardia Procardia, Adalat Adalat) and nimodipine (Nimotop Nimotop).
• Anticonvulsants. Some drugs prevent seizures, such as divalprex sodium (Depakote, Depakote), valproate (Depacon, Depacon), and topiramate (Topamax, Topamax). Some people experience migraines less often as a result of taking these medications. In large doses, they can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, and dizziness.
• Antidepressants. In some cases, antidepressants are used to prevent migraines. These include tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil by Elavil, Endep by Endep), nortriptyline (Pamelor by Pamelor, Aventyl by Aventyl), and protriptyline (Vivaktil by Vivactil).
• Monoclonal antibody preparations, such as Ajovy (fremanezumab) – a drug for the prevention (reduction in the number of attacks) of episodic and chronic migraine. The more calcitonin-related peptide (CGRP) is released in migraine, the stronger and more painful the headache. Ajovi binds the CGRP neuropeptide or its receptor and blocks the migraine headache pathway.

Atypical antidepressants, such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and mirtazapine (Remeron, Remeron), can relieve some chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Warning: The US Food and Drug Administration warns that antidepressants increase the risk of suicide, especially in adolescents and children. Anyone taking antidepressants should be carefully screened for suicidal tendencies. If you plan to take antidepressants, discuss the risk with your doctor and always read the information on the package.

Botox in the treatment of chronic migraine

Botox is used to treat and prevent chronic migraine attacks in adults. Chronic migraine is referred to as having a headache for more than 15 days a month, 8 or more of which are accompanied by migraine-like symptoms.

Non-drug treatments

Drug therapy for migraine is often combined with biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, or relaxation techniques.

Biofeedback is a technique used to gain control over a function that would normally operate automatically (such as blood pressure or pulse rate). The function can be controlled. Relaxation techniques are applied to change function. Biofeedback uses electronic or electromechanical instruments to observe, measure, process, and feed back information about blood pressure, muscle tension, heart rate, brain waves, and other psychological functions.

This technology can be used at home with a portable device. The ultimate goal of this treatment is to wean the patient off the machine so that they can apply the biofeedback technique at the first sign of a headache.

Through relaxation techniques, one can learn to counteract muscle tension by relaxing the mind and body using yoga, meditation, progressive relaxation and imagery. Relaxation techniques can be used with or without biofeedback.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This therapy helps to identify what is causing headaches. People who get migraine experience the same stressors as everyone else, but in migraine patients, stress can trigger migraine attacks. Thus, through specific stress management training, the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that influence the onset of headaches can be identified and managed so that headaches do not occur.

Diet therapy

Some migraine sufferers benefit from a course of treatment focused solely on avoiding the foods and drinks that cause headaches. For this reason, it is necessary to keep a migraine diary to identify individual pathogens. In 30% of cases, diet helps patients.

A diet that prevents low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can cause blood vessels in the head to dilate, may help some people with migraines. This condition usually manifests itself due to a long time spent without food: for example, during the night or if a person skips a meal.