Raising awareness about the challenges faced by those living with migraine is vital, especially given this condition affects more than a billion people worldwide.
Often regarded as simply a bad headache, migraine is in fact a recurrent, often lifelong condition with a range of symptoms. It is also the second-leading cause of disability worldwide.
According to the International Headache Society, to be diagnosed with migraine disease, patients must have had at least five headache attacks that lasted between 4 and 72 hours, and the attacks must have had at least two of the following characteristics:
- Location on one side or behind the eye.
- A throbbing or pulsating sensation.
- Moderate or severe pain.
- Migraine being worsened by or causing the avoidance of everyday physical activities.
- Other symptoms can include sensitivity to light and sounds; and nausea.
There are two main types of migraine: a migraine with and without aura. A migraine with aura begins with a range of possible visual, sensory, speech or language symptoms that can last for minutes or hours. Visual aura can include flashes of light, blind spots, bright spots, and blurred or loss of vision and are the most common, followed by sensory aura, often in the form of pins and needles. These symptoms can be followed by or can overlap with moderate to severe headache.
A migraine without an aura generally refers to an attack lasting 4 to 72 hours. These headaches tend to be moderate or severe and take place in one side of the brain, often with a pulsating sensation. Other symptoms often include nausea, vomiting and/or oversensitivity to light or sound.
The actual cause of a migraine is not known, but triggers often include stress and certain foods including alcohol; tyramine, an amino acid found in red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken liver, figs and some beans; nitrates, which are found in certain processed meats; and monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a flavour enhancer. Caffeine, often thought to be a trigger in some people, can provide relief for others.
Keeping a symptom diary that includes everything eaten, details of a woman’s menstrual cycle, daily activities and changes in environment can be a valuable tool for identifying and avoiding triggers where possible.
The treatment of a migraine includes pharmacotherapy, either in the form of specific migraine medication, or more common painkillers. There are also over-the-counter medications specifically for the treatment of migraines, which can be used to relieve the symptoms and help stop the attack from getting worse.
“At iNova, we are committed to increasing understanding and support for those affected by migraines. By coming together during National Migraine Awareness Month, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who struggle with this often debilitating condition,” says Robyn Denyer, senior brand manager at iNova Pharmaceuticals.
Unfortunately, many migraine sufferers do not receive effective diagnosis and care. Appropriate treatment of these chronic headache disorders requires a professional diagnosis and the appropriate treatment with cost-effective medications, simple lifestyle modifications and patient education.
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