Living with Migraine
Migraine is the second most common cause of headache that afflicts a large population. But it is more than just a headache for most of the sufferers.The people affected by it are debilitated, disabled and often frightened by this condition. So exactly what is migraine and what are its symptoms. How is it diagnosed and what tratment options are available?
Migraine is a complex neurological condition that most commonly manifests as a headache. The headache is one sided in two thirds of the cases. It often begins slowly but becomes severe over the course of time. The patient often describe it as throbbing or pulsating in nature. At times , it becomes excruciatingly painful and the patients are so disbaled that they prefer …show more content…
The consultation includes a detailed history of headache focussing on its nature, duration, severity and associated symptoms. An inquiry into the frequency and triggers of the headache is also made. This is followed by a detailed neurological examination. The diagnosis of migraine is clinical and usually no further testing is required. But in cases of uncertainty and to rule out sinister causes of headache like a brain tumour, neuroimaging procedure like Computed tomography (CAT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain may be advised. Referral to neurologist is done in cases of diagnostic uncertainty and also when rare types of migraine are suspected. Migraine clinics are also available for referral of such …show more content…
Acute treatment consists of medicines to relieve the headache when it is occurring. It includes pain reliever medicines like aspirin, paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen. These medicines if used alone are rendered ineffective because of nausea and vomiting associated with migraine. Antiemetic or antinausea medicines like metoclopramide and domperidone are also given to alleviate nausea and vomiting.
The overuse of pain reliever medicines for headaches on daily basis leads to worsening of headache in patients with migraine. This condition is known as medication overuse headache or chronic daily headache. Painkiller medicines also cause gastric irritation with their repeated use. For this reason, the use of such medicines should be limited to once or twice a
Migraine is the second most common cause of headache that afflicts a large population. But it is more than just a headache for most of the sufferers.The people affected by it are debilitated, disabled and often frightened by this condition. So exactly what is migraine and what are its symptoms. How is it diagnosed and what tratment options are available?
Migraine is a complex neurological condition that most commonly manifests as a headache. The headache is one sided in two thirds of the cases. It often begins slowly but becomes severe over the course of time. The patient often describe it as throbbing or pulsating in nature. At times , it becomes excruciatingly painful and the patients are so disbaled that they prefer …show more content…
The consultation includes a detailed history of headache focussing on its nature, duration, severity and associated symptoms. An inquiry into the frequency and triggers of the headache is also made. This is followed by a detailed neurological examination. The diagnosis of migraine is clinical and usually no further testing is required. But in cases of uncertainty and to rule out sinister causes of headache like a brain tumour, neuroimaging procedure like Computed tomography (CAT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain may be advised. Referral to neurologist is done in cases of diagnostic uncertainty and also when rare types of migraine are suspected. Migraine clinics are also available for referral of such …show more content…
Acute treatment consists of medicines to relieve the headache when it is occurring. It includes pain reliever medicines like aspirin, paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen. These medicines if used alone are rendered ineffective because of nausea and vomiting associated with migraine. Antiemetic or antinausea medicines like metoclopramide and domperidone are also given to alleviate nausea and vomiting.
The overuse of pain reliever medicines for headaches on daily basis leads to worsening of headache in patients with migraine. This condition is known as medication overuse headache or chronic daily headache. Painkiller medicines also cause gastric irritation with their repeated use. For this reason, the use of such medicines should be limited to once or twice a