Here are a few fast facts on migraine:
- Worldwide, 12-15% of people suffer from migraines. This is considered a low estiimate, as it is common for migraines to be misdiagnosed as toothache, sinus infection, or stress headache.
- 70% of migraineurs are women
- Migraine is not rare; in fact it is one of the commonest issues doctors encounter in primary practice.
- Studies have shown that during childhood, a significant percentage of migraineurs had motion sickness and may have had colic. Motion sickness may persist into adulthood.
- Almost all migraine treatments were originally designed to treat other problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and epilepsy. Reductions in number and severity of migraines were simply a beneficial side effect for migraine sufferers, until further studies were done to measure their effectiveness in treating migraines, thus making them a safe preventive for many people.
- Migraine is aggravated by activity – bending, lifting, even just walking around can worsen a headache and lengthen the time it lasts.
- Sensitivity to light, sounds and odours are common symptoms of migraine and can occur hours before the headache actually strikes.
- Oral contraception can induce or worsen migraines.
Risk of Stroke and Heart Disease
A recent study of women between the ages of 20 and 44 showed that migraine with aura is associated with a higher risk of stroke, especially within the first four years of beginning to have migraines. The risk is highest among women with risk factors such as smoking, hypertension or taking birth control.
Other risk factors for stroke include having migraines for 12 or more years, and having more than 12 migraines per year.
Men with migraine are significantly more at risk for heart attacks and heart disease. Their blood pressure and cholesterol are higher than in men who don’t get migraines. Regular use of ASA, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can elevate blood pressure in men, so it is vital that men discuss their headaches with a doctor and avoid over the counter medicines.
Men and Cluster Headaches
“Cluster headaches are one of the most painful medical conditions possible” (Bernstein, p.132). This is a rarer form of migraine, affecting less than one in a thousand people. Men suffer from it ten times more often than women.
Cluster headaches are cyclical – the patient gets a series of attacks that feel like being repeatedly stabbed on one side of the head for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. They reappear, often at the same time of the day for a period of days or weeks.
The most effective treatment is breathing pure oxygen. But some men respond well to heart medications such as calcium channel blockers, and triptans may be very helpful.
Although exercise makes a migraine worse, people with cluster headaches find moving around, or even vigorous exercise can help ease the pain.
The Hormone Problem – It’s Not Just Menstrual
Several hormonal systems combine to affect migraineurs by releasing hormones at different levels and times than in normal (control) patients. For instance, one study showed that insomniac migraineurs have lower melatonin concentrations in their blood. Other differences involve prolactin, dopamine and cortisol.
Dehydration, hunger, and lack of sleep are just three lifestyle problems that can trigger migraines.
Sources:
Bernstein, Carolyn MD The Migraine Brain, Free Press, 2008
Donaghy, M., C.L. Chang, and N. Poulter. "Duration, frequency, recency, and type of migraine and the risk of ischaemic stroke in women of childbearing age. (Short Report)." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 73.6 (2002): 747+. General OneFile. Web. 14 July 2010
Katz, Barry, "Questioning Can Help Differentiate Worrisome Migraines. Opthalmology Times, June 1 2004
P. Peres, M. F., et al. "Hypothalamic involvement in chronic migraine." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 71.6 (2001): 747+. General OneFile. Web. 14 July 2010.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Geraldine Ketchum - Geraldine Ketchum is a librarian living in Southwestern Ontario. With a degree in English Language and Lit from UWO, she went straight on ...
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