Dr. M.J. Bazos, MD
Patient Handout
HEADACHE,
MIGRAINE
About Your
Diagnosis
Migraine headaches are intense, recurrent
headaches that may occur at any age but usually begin between the ages of 10 and
30 years. The precise cause is unknown, but it is hereditary in 60% to 80% of
patients with migraine. The attacks occur less often with advancing years, and
remission in patients older than 50 years is
common.
Living With Your
Diagnosis
Some individuals have a
prodrome or a symptom that alerts them that a headache is developing. This may
occur hours to days before a headache and may disappear shortly before the
headache appears or may merge with it. Common prodromal symptoms include change
in mood, hyperactivity, sluggishness, fatigue, changes in appetite, or nausea.
In addition to the prodrome, many patients have an aura, a subjective sensation
or motor phenomenon, before their headaches. Auras usually last 10–30
minutes, and the headache frequently follows within the hour. The most common
type of aura is a visual disturbance such as flashes of light, flickering
lights, or a blind spot. Migraine headaches usually affect one side of the head
and are throbbing. Typically, migraines last from 4 to 72 hours. Many
individuals have nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light and sound
during the headache. If you have a prodrome or aura that precedes your
headaches, you should take your migraine medication as soon as possible. Early
treatment is the key to faster relief of the headache. Many patients link their
migraine attacks to certain dietary items, particularly chocolate, red wine and
port, cheese, onions, fatty foods, and acidic foods (oranges, tomatoes, etc.).
Some of these foods are rich in tyramine, an amino acid, which has been
incriminated as a provoking factor in migraine. Avoiding these items may reduce
the chances of a migraine
attack.
Treatment
There
are many options for treating migraine headaches. Individuals who have frequent
migraines may need to take preventive medication such as beta blockers, calcium
channel blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, or hormones. If your migraines are infrequent, you may
take medication only when needed. Your doctor will select the best therapy for
you.
The
DOs
• Keep a diary/calendar of
your headaches and any events that seem to cause
them.
• Take your medication as
prescribed as soon as you feel a migraine
developing.
• Get plenty of
rest.
The
DON’Ts
Many factors have been
found to aggravate or precipitate migraine headaches. The following should be
avoided:
•
Stress.
• Changes in sleep
habits.
•
Fatigue.
• Certain dietary items such
as alcohol (especially red wine), chocolate, cheese, Nutrasweet, and
caffeine.
• Strong sensory stimuli
(bright glare, loud noise,
etc.).
When to Call Your
Doctor
• If your headache lasts
longer than usual, is more intense than usual, or is resistant to the medication
that normally works for you.
• If you
have severe vomiting that cannot be controlled with your
medication.
• If you have a fever
with your headache.
• If you have any
problems associated with your medication.