migraine. Migraines are something that happens regularly in your daily life or that you don’t understand.
But if you’re someone who regularly suffers from symptoms of this neurological disorder, which affects 12% of the population (according to the Migraine Research Foundation, that rate rises to 18% in the U.S. female population) , you’ll discover that not only are migraines real, but that they’re more than just a bad headache.
Common causes include stress, both good and bad, certain foods, skipping meals, alcohol, changes in weather and barometric pressure, and hormonal changes in women.
Dr. Amin Abdullah, Neurology Specialist, Medcare Hospital, Al Safa
“Migraine is an idiopathic headache disorder, or a headache of unknown cause. It is characterized by pulsating, moderate to severe headache attacks that are often unilateral. Migraines are worsened by physical activity and can cause nausea, vomiting, photophobia, It is accompanied by symptoms such as phonophobia. [sensitivity to light and noise, respectively]” explains Dr. Anne Vehmas, Consultant Neurologist at Novomed Centres.
Despite its prevalence, there is still no clear cure for the condition, and mainstream Western medicine takes a largely abortive approach, relieving symptoms with drugs once they appear. But what are some old and new preventive measures?
diet and nutrition
Given that science has yet to pinpoint a definitive root cause of migraines, it’s no wonder that no one-size-fits-all cure-all has been determined. But what experts do know is that “heredity and environment play a role,” says Dr. Amin Abdullah, a neurologist at Medcare Hospital in Al Safa.
“Triggers vary from person to person, but there are common causes that affect a large number of people: stress, both good and bad, certain foods, skipping meals, alcohol, changes in weather and barometric pressure, and female hormones. changes, etc.
food [that] Nitrates in meat products, ethereal oils in citrus fruits and spices, and chocolate can trigger migraine attacks.
Dr Anne Vemas, Consultant Neurologist, Novomed Centres
For people who suffer frequently, monitoring and identifying triggers is extremely important, and diet therapy is the easiest and most effective place to start. After doing the obvious things to take care of your health, such as cutting back on processed foods and choosing fresh, nutritious foods, actively seeking out certain nutrients and vitamins and avoiding others. And it makes a big difference.
“Some foods can trigger migraine attacks, such as nitrites in meat, ethereal oils in citrus fruits and spices, and chocolate,” says Vemas. “People who are deficient in vitamin D, B2, Q10, and folic acid appear to be more prone to migraine attacks. Avoiding these triggers can be helpful.”
As for what you should be eating more of, increasing your intake of magnesium, which is found in dark leafy greens, black beans, lentils, and mackerel, has been shown to be effective in fighting migraines. His 1996 research findings that regular intake of macrominerals can reduce the frequency of neurological conditions by 41.6 percent remain unchallenged.
Stress reduction through biofeedback
It’s hard to think of many symptoms that wouldn’t improve with more sleep, but this is certainly the case with migraines. But for those prone to migraines, research has demonstrated that oversleeping can be just as much of a trigger as not getting enough sleep, and it turns out there’s a Goldilocks effect when it comes to catching the Z’s, and we… It’s a reminder of how much your body craves routine.
Fluctuations in cortisol levels when moments of high stress are followed by periods of relaxation can be detrimental as well. But as always, prescribing quality sleep and stress-free living is easier said than done. Instead, psychobiological treatments may help some migraine patients, Vemas says.
“Biofeedback” [skin surface temperature manipulation] “This is one of the behavioral medicine techniques proven to reduce headaches and improve quality of function,” states the American Migraine Foundation website.
Migraine preventive medications should only be used if migraine attacks occur more than a few times a month.
Dr. Ann Wemus
After 25 years of research and testing of this method, it was found to reduce migraine frequency and severity by as much as 60%. It is currently the most commonly used and widely accepted non-drug treatment.
During a “training session,” electrodes are attached to the surface of the skin and send signals to monitors that track heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, muscle activity, and how they change in stressful situations. feedback will be provided. With time and commitment to training, patients can become aware of their physiology, self-regulate their mind-body connection, and ultimately reduce migraine triggers. .
electrical and magnetic nerve stimulation
Because migraines are associated with a dysfunction in the sympathetic nervous system (the part that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate), one way medical professionals attack it is by directly targeting the sympathetic nervous system.
“Neurostimulation therapy has shown promising results in the treatment of migraine,” says Dr. Vemus. Of these, his two are the most popular: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Tens) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Tens employs a low-voltage electrical current that can reduce pain by blocking the transmission of pain signals and increasing endorphin levels. The first Tens unit was created in 1974, but the use of electric shock to relieve pain dates back thousands of years, with the ancient Egyptians recognizing the power of the electric catfish found in the Nile River. Ta.
A 2018 paper evaluates numerous research findings that go beyond ancient folklore. headache and pain journal They concluded that TENS “significantly reduced monthly headache days and painkiller intake.”
TMS, on the other hand, applies magnetic pulses to targeted areas of the brain with the goal of forming new neural pathways, regulating and improving overall mood. Experts from the Mayo Clinic who monitored how effective this approach was in 2018 concluded that “four pulses delivered by the device twice a day reduced the frequency of headache days by about three days per month, and 46% of patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in migraine attacks per month due to the treatment protocol.”
acupuncture
While the tips and treatments mentioned above have been used for decades, acupuncture dates back approximately 3,000 years. The ancient Chinese practice has been sought for thousands of years to cure several mental and physical ailments, including migraines. Alternative treatments include inserting thin needles into the skin, which is said to help balance energy levels.
There is little scientific explanation as to whether acupuncture points or meridians exist, but that hasn’t stopped researchers from proving that acupuncture can reduce the effects of migraines.
A 2016 review by the Cochrane Library Database looked at 22 clinical trials with 4,985 participants and found that “there is evidence that acupuncture reduces headache frequency in migraineurs, and that its effects are preventive.” “The effects may be similar to those observed with drugs.” ”. The combined data showed that the frequency of headaches in people who received acupuncture treatment decreased by 50% to 60%.
Drugs and monoclonal antibodies
People in the midst of a migraine attack are likely to choose treatments to alleviate their symptoms, the most common of which are simple analgesics (painkillers) and antiemetics (nausea medications). is.
However, experts recommend preventive drugs only in extreme cases. “Migraine preventive medications should only be used if migraine attacks occur more than once a month,” advises Dr. Vemus. These drugs include candesartan and lisinopril, which affect the renin-angiotensin hormone system, beta-blockers, which lower blood pressure and regulate heart rhythm, and tricyclic antidepressants, which affect neurotransmitter levels. included.
But what is the newest approach in the pharmaceutical world? “Monoclonal antibodies,” Abdullah says, adding that the relatively new drug targets a calcitonin gene-related peptide, which has been linked to the development of migraines. explained. Research from the American Academy of Neurology has shown that monoclonal antibodies, typically given as a once-monthly injection, can reduce the number of migraine days each month by 66 percent.
However, Professor Wemus says that “between 10 and 20 percent of patients report being able to completely stop migraine attacks with biological medications,” so it turns out that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. Law doesn’t seem to be such a distant dream.
Updated: April 16, 2024 9:07am
