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Migraine Information

Wendy Green, author of '50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Migraine', explains how you can recognise the difference between headache and migraine, what triggers migraine attacks and the best way of treating them.

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Migraine Information
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What is a migraine?

A migraine is a debilitating, pulsating, one-sided headache. The two main types of migraine are migraine without aura, otherwise known as ‘common migraine’ and migraine with aura, otherwise known as ‘classical migraine’. Many people who suffer from classical migraines also get common migraines.

Classical migraines have four distinct stages. Common migraines have three.

The first is prodome, which starts up to 24 hours before an attack and is often characterised by a change in energy levels or mood, food cravings, excessive yawning, or neck pain.

The second stage (in classical migraines only) is a sensory change known as aura - the most common of which is visual disturbance. This can take the form of blind spots, silvery starbursts, zigzag patterns or even tunnel vision, and can be very frightening, especially when you experience it for the first time. Other types of aura include pins and needles and numbness down one side, speech disturbance, clumsiness and confusion.

The third stage is the actual headache, which can last from four hours to three days and is accompanied by at least one of these other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased sensitivity to light, sound or smell, lethargy and fatigue, or a stiff, aching neck.

The final stage is recovery, which can take several days. It’s common to feel tired and lacking in energy during this phase.

Who gets migraines?

Around one in five women, one in twelve men and one in nine children in the UK suffer from migraines. The first attack usually happens before adulthood. The condition affects boys and girls equally until puberty, when girls experience more frequent attacks. This is thought to be due to a hormonal link.

What causes migraines?

Currently the most popular theory as to why some people suffer from migraines is that they have inherited a ‘migraine brain’ that is hypersensitive to changes. These changes (usually known as triggers) can be anything from a drop in blood sugar due to missing a meal, to changes in the weather, or sleeping for longer or less than usual. Other triggers include hormonal changes, emotional stress, dehydration and excessive exercise. Some people link their headaches to particular foods, such as cheese, chocolate, or to food additives, but experts argue that not eating regularly is more likely to result in an attack, than eating a particular food. Alcohol - especially red wine - can be a trigger for some sufferers. Whatever your triggers are, it seems they upset the brain’s chemistry, causing the blood vessels in the head to swell, which results in the all too familiar pain and other symptoms.

How can I find out what my migraine triggers are?

The best way to find out what your own particular migraine triggers are is to keep a migraine diary in which you record when each attack happens and details of your daily life at the time that might be relevant e.g. food and drink, sleep and work patterns, stress levels, stage in menstrual cycle etc. After a few weeks you should be able to identify your own particular triggers; you can then aim to avoid them as much as possible. Bear in mind that often it isn’t one particular trigger that results in an attack; usually a number of triggers have to occur before an individual’s threshold is reached and a migraine develops.

Is there a cure for migraine?

There is no cure for migraine, but it is possible to prevent attacks. Keeping to regular eating, drinking, sleeping, exercise, work, and relaxation patterns as much as possible is one of the best ways to avoid migraines. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and drink plenty of water to help avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies and dehydration. Managing stress is important – yoga has been shown to help relieve stress and reduce the number and severity of migraine attacks.

Can supplements help?

A lack of magnesium and B vitamins has been noted in migraine sufferers; supplementing the diet with these nutrients has been shown to help some migraineurs. There is evidence that other supplements, including feverfew and butterbur, can also reduce the number of attacks and may be worth trying.

What is the best way to treat an attack once it is underway?

Once an attack is underway it’s advisable to take painkillers as soon as possible, as the digestion slows down, making it harder for the body to absorb them. Many people find over-the-counter treatments such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol effective. Try taking your chosen medication with a cup of coffee, or a glass of cola. The caffeine they contain improves the effectiveness of the drugs and helps to constrict the swollen blood vessels. However, caffeine can be a migraine trigger for some migraineurs.

If painkillers don’t help, you could try triptans. These work by balancing serotonin levels in the brain, which allows the blood vessels to return to normal. They are most effective when taken once the headache has started. There are several types; Imigran Recovery, which contains sumatriptan, is available over-the-counter on completion of a questionnaire to determine your suitability. Others, such as naratriptan, are available on prescription only.

Depending on the severity of the attack, it’s likely that you will need to rest, preferably in a quiet, darkened room. A hot or cold compress on the site of the pain helps some people.

About the Author

Wendy Green is herself a migraine sufferer and the author of 50 Things You Can Do Today to Manage Migraine. She has found sticking to a regular routine in terms of eating, sleeping, etc. to be helpful in preventing migraines. Recently she has been taking a supplement containing vitamin B complex and this seems to have reduced the frequency and severity of her attacks.

Wendy Green has written nine books on health and currently works in health promotion. Wendy has a degree in Health Studies and is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that a healthy lifestyle should be fun, and that it is the small changes you make every day that really improve your health. Her books show you what these changes should be and how they can improve your health.