Knowledge
What is migraine? Get the answer from one of Denmark's leading specialists
Migraine is a neurological disorder that manifests itself in severe and pulsating headaches that often affect one side of the head.
Migraine is a neurological disorder that manifests itself in severe and pulsating headaches that often affect one side of the head.
Medicinsk godkendt artikel
Migraine is a neurological disorder that manifests itself in severe and pulsating headaches that often affect one side of the head. The pain, symptoms and triggers of migraine can be very different from person to person. There are several different types of migraine, and it is estimated that around 16% of the Danish population will experience migraine attacks during their lifetime! 1.
Migraine is characterized by a severe headache that most often sits in one side of the head. It is not uncommon for the headache to move from one side of the head to the other or appear two-sided during the migraine attack. Neurologist and headache specialist Signe Bruun Munksgaard explains: “The disorder probably occurs due to activation of pain-causing fibres in the brain's cerebral hemispheres and blood vessels, but we have not yet fully mapped out why you get migraines.”
The headache will often feel like a throbbing or pulsating pain and can last between four hours and three days. The intensity of the headache is moderate to severe and, for many, will affect one's daily functioning and activities. It is also normal for one's symptoms to be exacerbated by physical activity such as walking up a flight of stairs. “It is very common that you have to go home from your study or work and take refuge in a dark room,” says Signe Munksgaard.
Some find that their migraines begin with aura - a series of visual and/or sensory disturbances that serve as a harbinger of an upcoming seizure. These can include flickering lights, blind spots in one's field of vision, or tingling sensations in the arms or legs. It is estimated that about a third of all migraine sufferers have migraine with aura! 2.
Diagnosis of migraine typically begins with a general practitioner or a neurologist who reviews the patient's medical history as well as symptoms and conducts an examination. In rare cases, the doctor may recommend additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
There are four key characteristics that are used as part of making the diagnosis of migraine. Here, at least two of these characteristics must be met:
In addition to the intense headache, there are also a number of accompanying symptoms that characterize migraine. One is often uncomfortable and bothered by lights and sounds. In addition, one may experience nausea or vomiting. “It is therefore the overall picture of the headache's location, intensity, duration and accompanying symptoms that form an impression of whether migraine is the right diagnosis for the individual patient”, describes neurologist Signe Bruun Munksgaard.
Migraine can occur both with and without aura, be hormonally conditioned, and be defined as either episodic or chronic.
Migraine occurs at any age, including in children, but goes beyond the 35-54 age group most severely. Women are generally more at risk than men, possibly due to hormonal factors. Migraine affects women twice as often as men! 3.
Migraine is a neurological disorder. There lies a genetic predisposition to inheriting migraines. If one parent suffers from migraines, the child's risk of developing the disorder increases. The risk of passing on migraines to one's children is probably around 15% to 50%! 3. Since women suffer from migraines more often than men, there is a greater risk of passing migraines from mother to daughter. Some women experience an increased incidence of migraine attacks around the menstrual cycle, suggesting a link between hormonal changes and migraines.
The mechanisms behind migraine are not yet fully understood. However, various changes have been observed in the brain, which seem to manifest themselves in the context of a migraine attack. This includes changes in blood flow (at migraine with aura), as well as the release of various hormones and signaling substances such as CGRP.
“Migraine triggers are very individual. What triggers a seizure in one person can be completely harmless to another. Therefore, it is important for each individual patient to become aware of his or her own triggers through careful observation and possibly by keeping a headache diary. It can help identify specific factors that contribute to one's migraines,” says neurologist Signe Bruun Munksgaard.
Here is an overview of the most common triggers! 4:
It is important to distinguish between myths and scientific facts when it comes to migraine triggers. While many believe, for example, that chocolate can trigger migraines, some studies point to that not being true - and that the craving for chocolate may be an early symptom of migraines rather than a trigger. It's different from person to person.
Treatment of migraine are just like triggers individually from person to person. Treatment often involves a combination of medication and non-drug methods.
Medical treatment can be divided into emergency treatmentwhich is triggered by a seizure, and Preventive treatmentaimed at relieving symptoms and reducing the number of days of migraine There is no cure for migraine, but with timely and appropriate treatment, the quality of life can be significantly improved.
Migraine attacks are treated with emergency treatment. It can be pain relieving medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol and taro, that can be effective, and possibly also in combination with anti-nausea to relieve nausea! 1. For some, regular pain medication is not sufficient, and the doctor will often recommend triptans.
Those who are extra afflicted are also recommended preventive treatment with preventive medication. Treatment is very individual and it may be necessary to try several different preparations and combinations before the right treatment is found. First choice treatment includes blood pressure lowering medications such as beta blockers as well as the angiotensin receptor blocker candesartan. Antidepressant medications are also used as preventive treatment.
In the second row, the doctor may prescribe an epilepsy medication that has proven effective against migraines. In chronic migraine, CGRP inhibitors and botulinum toxin A proven efficacy.
Read about migraine treatment at Hemi Headache Clinic hereto.
One divides migraines into two different categories - with and without aura. Migraine with aura is characterized by the appearance of signals before the headache, which are either presented by visual disturbances or sensory disturbances, which gradually spread. If paralysis occurs as part of the aura, it is referred to as hemiplegic migraine.
Migraine can be either episodic or chronic. This applies regardless of whether you suffer from migraines with or without aura. In chronic migraine, one should experience a minimum of 15 days a month with headaches, of which a minimum of 8 should be days with migraine. Anything that does not fit into this category is characterized by episodic migraine.
Hormonal migraine is associated with hormonal changes that can occur during a woman's cycle. It is normal for women to experience the occurrence of migraines associated with their menstruation or ovulation.
Read more about the different types of migraine hereto.
Through our migraine test in a few minutes you can get an indication of whether you may be suffering from migraines and how you should relate to your symptoms. The test can guide you towards the right guidance and potential treatment options.
If you are not sure when to see a doctor in connection with your headache or migraine, you can read our neurologist's recommendation hereto.
Read about migraine treatment at Hemi Headache Clinic hereto.
