A migraine is a headache characterized by an intense, throbbing pain often on one side of the head. Migraine attacks are typically recurring and may last for hours or even days. According to the 2016 Global Burden of Disease study, an estimated 12 million Filipinos suffer from migraine.
Migraine headaches may arise as a result of certain triggers such as:
Other risk factors such as hormonal changes, allergies, and a family history of migraine may also increase the likelihood of getting migraines.
During a migraine, you may have:
For relatively mild attacks, bed rest alone may be enough for the migraine to subside. In cases where migraine pain ranges from moderate to severe, various medications may be prescribed to relieve pain.
Common pain medications for migraine:
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is not recommended for those with stomach, liver, or kidney problems. Triptans are not advisable for individuals who have cardiovascular problems.
WHAT YOU CAN DO (PREVENTION AND CONTROL)
There is no clear answer on how to prevent migraines but proper lifestyle management may reduce the frequency and possibly even the severity of the attacks. Here are a few tips that may help:
For those experiencing severe migraine pain, consult your physician and take the prescribed medication. Caution is also advised to patients to not overuse their medication.
REFERENCES
Migraine Headaches. Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional. Updated March 3, 2021. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5005-migraine-headaches#symptoms-and-causes
Migraine Headaches. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/migraine-headaches
Signs and Symptoms
Migraine. Mayo Clinic staff. July 02, 2021. Accessed July 17, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201
Stovner, L., Nichols, E., Steiner, T., Abd-Allah, F., Abdelalim, A., Al-Raddadi, R., … Doan, L. (2018). Global, regional, and national burden of migraine and tension-type headache, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet Neurology, 17(11), 954–976. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(18)30322-3
WomensHealth.gov. Migraine. Updated Feb 22, 2021. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/migraine
