Migraine: deliverance is possible forever! Way to life without pain
Understanding the Enemy: Deep Dive into Migraine
Migraine, much more than just a severe headache, is a neurological disease that can paralyze a person’s life. It is characterized by intense, pulsating headaches, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light (photophobia), sound (phonophobia) and odors (osmophobia). These symptoms can last from several hours to several days, significantly worsening the quality of life and ability to work.
To defeat migraines, a deep understanding of its nature, triggers and development mechanisms is necessary. This is not just a “headache”, but a complex interaction of a genetic predisposition, environmental factors and individual physiological characteristics.
1. Migraine: classification and types
Migraine is classified into various types, each of which has its own characteristics:
- Migraine with aura (classic migraine): It is characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms preceding the headache. The aura can manifest itself in the form of visual disorders (flickering lights, zigzag lines, loss of vision), sensory disorders (numbness or tingling in the limbs, face) or speech disorders.
- Migraine without aura (ordinary migraine): The most common type of migraine, not accompanied by aura.
- Chronic migraine: Headaches corresponding to migraine criteria that occur within at least 15 days a month for more than 3 months, and at least 8 days a month correspond to migraine criteria with or without aura.
- Hemiplegic migraine: A rare type of migraine, causing weakness or paralysis (hemiplegia) on one side of the body.
- Migraine of the basic artery: It is characterized by symptoms emanating from the brain stem, such as dizziness, ears noise, duality in the eyes and loss of consciousness.
- Migraine of the retina: A rare type of migraine, causing transient visual disorders in one eye.
2. Factors contributing to the emergence of migraines: solving the puzzle
Understanding the factors provoking migraines is a key step towards its control. These factors can be diverse and individual, but there are common triggers that should be taken into account:
- Food triggers:
- Processed products: They contain nitrates, nitrites and other additives that can cause migraine.
- Sustained cheeses: They contain thyramin, an amino acid that can increase blood pressure and cause headache.
- Alcohol: Especially red wine containing thyramin and histamine.
- Chocolate: Contains phenylethylamine, which can affect the level of serotonin.
- Caffeine: Both excess and a sharp rejection of caffeine can provoke migraines.
- Artificial sweeteners: Aspartem can be a trigger for some people.
- Environmental factors:
- Weather changes: Swanks of atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity.
- Bright light: Fluorescent lamps, sunlight, flickering light.
- Strong smells: Perfumes, chemicals, smoke.
- Noise: Loud sounds, sharp sounds.
- Life lifestyle factors:
- Stress: One of the most common migraine triggers.
- Lack of sleep or excess sleep: Violation of the sleep regime.
- Dehydration: Insufficient water consumption.
- Passing of food intake: Low blood sugar.
- Excessive physical activity: Especially without preliminary preparation.
- Hormonal factors:
- Menstrual cycle: Estrogen level fluctuations.
- Pregnancy: The effect of pregnancy hormones on migraine can be different.
- Menopause: Changes in the hormonal background.
- Reception of hormonal contraceptives: Some drugs can provoke migraines.
- Medical factors:
- Some drugs: Vasodilative drugs, nitrates.
- Diseases: Sinusitis, glaucoma, temporal arteritis.
Keeping a headache diary can help identify individual triggers and develop a strategy for avoiding them.
3. Migraine development mechanisms: what happens in the brain?
Understanding the mechanisms of migraine development allows you to develop more effective treatment methods. Although the exact causes of migraine have not been fully studied, the studies have identified several key factors:
- Trigeminal nervous system: This system plays an important role in the transmission of pain signals from the head and face to the brain. Activation of this system leads to the release of neuropeptides, such as CGRP (calcitonin-hen-tied peptide), which cause inflammation and expansion of blood vessels in the brain.
- Cortical depression (KDR): This is a wave of electrical activity, which slowly spreads through the cerebral cortex and can be associated with the aura. KDR can activate the trigeminal nervous system and cause headache.
- Serotonin: This neurotransmitter plays an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and pain. Serotonin levels can decrease during migraine, which can contribute to the development of headache.
- Genetic predisposition: Migraine is often inherited, which indicates a genetic component. Studies have identified several genes associated with an increased risk of migraine development.
4. Diagnostics of migraine: distinguish from other headaches
The exact diagnosis of migraine is crucial for the prescription of effective treatment. The doctor will conduct an examination, collect an anamnesis and may prescribe additional studies to exclude other causes of headache.
Diagnostic migraine criteria include:
- At least five attacks that meet the following criteria:
- The headache lasts from 4 to 72 hours (without treatment or with ineffective treatment).
- The headache has at least two of the following characteristics:
- One -sided localization (usually).
- Pulsating in nature.
- Moderate or severe intensity of pain.
- Deterioration with ordinary physical activity or avoiding physical activity.
- During a headache, there is at least one of the following symptoms:
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Photophobia and phonophobia.
The doctor can also prescribe the following studies:
- Neurological inspection: Assessment of reflexes, sensitivity, muscle strength and coordination.
- MRI or CT brain: To exclude other causes of headache, such as a tumor, aneurysm or hemorrhage.
- Blood tests: To exclude infections or other diseases.
5. Treatment of migraines: integrated approach
Migraine treatment includes two main directions: stopping attacks and prevention.
A. Relocation of migraine attacks:
The purpose of stopping an attack is to relieve pain and other symptoms during migraine attack.
- Anesthetic drugs:
- Right -making drugs: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Narksen. Effective with light and moderate attacks.
- Prescription drugs: Triptans (summptane, risatriciptan, gymitripphanes, etc.) – specific drugs for the treatment of migraine, affecting serotonin receptors. Dihydroergotamine is another type of drug used to treat migraine.
- Anti -rate drugs: Metoklopramide, domperidone – facilitate nausea and vomiting, improve the absorption of painkillers.
- NSAIDs (non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs): Ketorolac (in injections) – effective with strong migraine attacks.
It is important to take medicines as soon as possible after the start of the attack in order to increase their effectiveness.
B. Preventive treatment of migraines:
The purpose of preventive treatment is to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of migraine attacks. Preventive treatment is recommended if:
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Migraine attacks occur often (more than 4 times a month).
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Migraine attacks greatly worsen the quality of life.
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Preparations for stopping attacks are ineffective or cause side effects.
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Medicines:
- Beta blockers: Propranolol, metoprolol – reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, blocking the effect of adrenaline.
- Antidepressants: Amitriptylin, Wenlafaxin – increase the level of serotonin and norepinephrine, which can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
- Anticonvulsants: Topiramate, valproic acid – reduce the excitability of nerve cells in the brain.
- Calcium channel blockers: Flunarizin – improve blood circulation in the brain and reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
- CGRP Ingitors: Erenumab, Freanzumab, Galkanzumab – block the action of CGRP, neuropeptide, which plays an important role in the development of migraine.
- Botulininic toxin (Botox): Used to treat chronic migraines.
The choice of a preventive drug depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, concomitant diseases and possible side effects.
6. Alternative methods for the treatment of migraines: additional tools in the fight against pain
In addition to traditional treatment methods, there are alternative methods that can help in the fight against migraine:
- Acupuncture: Stimulation of certain points on the body using needles. It can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.
- Biological feedback (BOS): A method to learn how to control physiological processes, such as heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. It can help reduce stress and muscle voltage that migraine can provoke.
- Massage: It can relieve muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, which can contribute to the development of migraine.
- Yoga and meditation: Help reduce stress and improve overall well -being.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (KPT): Helps change thoughts and behavior that can contribute to the development of migraine.
- Food additives:
- Magnesium: It can help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2): It can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.
- Coenzim q10: It can help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
- Melatonin: It can improve sleep and reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
- Ginger: It can help relieve nausea associated with migraine.
- Feverfew (Feverfew): It can help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
Before using alternative methods of treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
7. Change in lifestyle: foundation for life without migraine
A change in lifestyle plays an important role in the prevention of migraine. Key aspects:
- Regular sleep mode: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
- Regular nutrition: Do not skip food meals and avoid long breaks between them.
- Sufficient water consumption: Support a sufficient level of hydration by drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day.
- Stress management: Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga or deep breath.
- Regular physical activity: Take moderate physical exercises, such as walking, swimming or cycling.
- Restriction of alcohol and caffeine consumption: Follow moderation in the consumption of these substances.
- Refusal of smoking: Smoking can worsen the course of migraine.
8. Maintenance of a headache diary: your personal instrument for monitoring migraine
Keeping a headache diary is a simple but effective way to identify migraine triggers, evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and track progress. In the diary, it should be noted:
- The date and time of the beginning and end of the headache.
- The intensity of pain (on a scale from 1 to 10).
- Localization of pain.
- The nature of the pain (pulsating, pressing, drilling, etc.).
- Related symptoms (nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, etc.).
- Potential triggers (food, drinks, stress, weather changes, etc.).
- Accepted drugs and their effectiveness.
- Other factors that could affect the headache (sleep, physical activity, etc.).
Regularly view the headache diary to identify patterns and trends. Discuss the results with a doctor to develop a more effective treatment strategy.
9. New methods of treatment of migraines: on the horizon – life without pain?
Scientific research in the field of migraines is constantly developing, and new treatment methods appear that can offer hope for getting rid of pain:
- Non -invasive stimulation of the brain (NSGM): Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial stimulation with direct current (TSPT) are methods that use magnetic or electrical impulses to stimulate certain areas of the brain. It can be effective for stopping attacks and prevention of migraine.
- Monoclonal antibodies to CGRP receptor: These drugs block the effect of CGRP, neuropeptide, which plays an important role in the development of migraine. Showed high efficiency in migraine prevention.
- Gepantents: Small molecules that block the CGRP receptor. They can be used both to stop attacks and for the prevention of migraine.
- Digital therapeutic means: Applications and other digital tools that provide personalized migraine management strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, biological feedback and triggers tracking.
These new methods of treatment can offer significant relief for people suffering from migraine, and improve their quality of life.
10. Life with migraine: how not to allow pain to define your life
Migraine can have a significant impact on all aspects of life, but it is important to remember that you can learn to live with this disease and not allow pain to determine your life.
- Create a support system: Communicate with friends, family or support groups to share your experience and get support.
- Be active: Despite the pain, try to maintain an active lifestyle. Physical activity can help reduce stress and improve overall well -being.
- Take care of yourself: Select time for yourself to do what you like and helps to relax.
- Do not give up: The fight against migraine can be difficult, but it is important not to give up and continue to look for effective methods of treatment and prevention.
Getting rid of migraine forever is a goal, achieving thanks to an integrated approach, including an understanding of the disease, identifying triggers, a change in lifestyle, the use of medicinal and alternative methods of treatment, as well as constant cooperation with a doctor. Remember that you are not alone in your struggle, and there is hope for life without pain.