What Is Chronic Migraine?
Migraine is a specific type of headache. Firstly, the pain of migraine itself is very sharp, impossible, and usually covers half of the head. Chronic migraines is a common disability disorder with headaches. Many epidemiological studies have documented its high generality and socioeconomic and personal consequences.
The frequency of occurrence of migraine throughout the world is 10-13.8%, and in the USA is about 20.8%. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD2010) ranked migraine as the third most common disease globally. It ranks third as the world’s highest cause of disability for both men and women under 50.
Most chronic migraine attacks develop without an aura. Headache, manifested by attacks lasting 4-72 hours, unilateral localization, pulsating, moderate or severe intensity, aggravating with regular physical activity, and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or stress.
Chronic Migraine Symptoms
Chronic migraines often start in the evening or during sleep. In some people, attacks are preceded by fatigue, depression, lethargy for several hours, or irritability and anxiety.
Because migraine symptoms vary so much, at least half of all migraine sufferers think they have sinus headaches or tension headaches, not migraines.
About 20% of chronic migraines begin with one or more neurological symptoms called an aura. An aura is a complex of neurological symptoms that usually occurs before a headache but can begin after the onset of the headache phase or continue into the headache phase.
Forms of Migraine
There are several of these headaches, as well as two main complications that untreated migraines are fraught with:
- Migraine without aura
- Migraine with aura (classic migraine with aura, aura without migraine, basilar aura, hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine)
- Chronic migraine
Obviously, each of the mechanisms described above makes its contribution, which causes such severe pain and so many accompanying symptoms.
How to Treat Chronic Migraine?
The first step is to recommend a common NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or paracetamol.
If attacks occur frequently, reduce efficiency, respond poorly to treatment, it is advisable to prevent migraine attacks. It is carried out not with painkillers but with drugs that affect the tone of blood vessels, the balance of neurotransmitters, and the excitability of neurons.
These are beta-blockers (drugs traditionally prescribed for hypertensive patients). They are for antidepressants (mainly amitriptyline), anticonvulsants (drugs used to treat epilepsy). This therapy is prescribed for a long period and requires daily medication.
Migraine Treatment
treatment is a laborious process that requires severe moral and financial resources.
In recent years, many modern techniques have appeared that allow you to control migraines, effectively prevent the development of attacks and minimize the intake of medications.
Among these methods are botulinum therapy, vague stimulation (X pair of cranial nerves), transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain.
Useful Tips to Reduce Chronic Migraine at Home
- You don’t have to endure a headache. If you feel that a headache attack is starting to gain momentum, immediately take the drugs to your doctors to stop the attack.
- People with frequent headaches should keep a headache diary. It is necessary to note the reasons provoking the development of pain, its frequency, and intensity, so it will be easier for the doctor to choose the correct treatment.
- Having learned how many undesirable consequences a migraine can cause, one can become desperate. Especially since there is no way out at first glance. If you drink a lot of painkillers, get ready for an abusive headache and chronic migraine; if you take a few pills, you are in danger of migraine status and, again, chronic migraine.
Migraine Therapy
Learn to control your illness! Any doctor will tell you that chronic migraine treatment is not limited to pills or stoic patience.
The correct therapy for this disease includes a complex of medicinal and non-medicinal agents, so the first step is to contact a specialist who will teach them how to use:
- Will select the drugs that are right for you to prevent the development of an attack that has begun and, if necessary, to prevent migraine attacks;
- Will teach you to track the factors that trigger the onset of an attack and avoid them;
Hope this article is helpful if you are suffering from chronic migraine pain! Stay healthy!
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