8 Min Read.webp "Managing Chronic Migraines: How to Prevent Migraines Effectively")
Chronic migraines are debilitating conditions that affect millions of people. Headaches come and go, but chronic migraines involve multiple and frequent episodes that can last for hours, even days. So, can you control chronic migraines? Yes, you can regain control and improve your quality of life through practicing certain migraine relief and prevention techniques and appropriate medical support.
Synopsis
What Is Chronic Migraine?
Migraine is a common neurological condition that affects a considerable proportion of the population, leading to significant individual and societal burdens. A migraine is characterised by moderate to severe attacks of unilateral pulsating head pain, associated with light/sound sensitivity, nausea, and/or vomiting, typically lasting 4–72 hours.
Migraine can be of 2 types:
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Episodic migraine: reduced headache frequency, 1–2 headaches per month.
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Chronic migraine: headache frequency of at least 15 days per month for at least three months, with at least eight of these headaches having typical migraine features.
Triggers of Migraine
Several factors can trigger a migraine episode, including:
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Hormonal changes: Common migraine triggers are fluctuations in estrogen levels (which can occur during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause).
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Stress: It is well known that emotional or physical stress of high levels can be a common migraine trigger.
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Dietary factors: For some, certain foods and beverages, including caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, and aged cheese, can trigger migraines.
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Environmental factors: Bright lights, loud noises, strong odours, a change in weather, or any other factors can set off a migraine.
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Sleep disturbances: Migraine attacks are often associated with irregular sleep patterns or no sleep.
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Medications: Medication overuse headaches (overuse of pain medications) can also cause chronic migraines.
Risk Factors for Developing Chronic Migraine
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Pain medication/pain killers overuse
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Obesity
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Stressful life events
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Female gender
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Comorbid anxiety and depression
For a proper diagnosis and treatment of migraine, consult our top neurologists at Manipal Hospital Jayanagar.
Differences Between – Tension Type Headache & Migraine Headache
|
Features |
Tension type headache |
Migraine headache |
|
Duration |
Hours to days |
4 - 72 hrs |
|
Headache Location |
Usually bilateral or circumferentia |
Usually moderate or severe |
|
Type of pain |
Usually pressing or tightening |
Usually pulsating |
|
Accompanying Symptoms |
Often none, sometimes mild nausea |
Light/ sound sensitivity, nausea and vomiting |
|
Routine Physical Activity |
Not aggravated by routine physical activity |
Often aggravated by routine physical activity |
Treatment of Chronic Migraine
Managing chronic migraine effectively requires a multi-faceted approach.
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Risk factor modification
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Identification of triggers
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Treatment: Use of acute and prophylactic medications
Riskfactor Modification and Identification of Triggers
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Here are some tips for preventing migraine episodes:
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Sleep hygiene: Maintain consistent sleep schedules, which have to be followed on all the days.
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Stress management: Engage in stress-relieving activities such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, walking, or swimming.
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Diet: Eat a balanced and healthy diet. Avoid skipping meals. Identify food triggers and try to avoid them.
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Stay Hydrated: It is a known migraine trigger to be dehydrated. Drink as much water as possible throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
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Limit Caffeine and Alcohol: Excess caffeine and excess alcohol are potential migraine triggers. Cutting down or limiting these may prevent the headache episodes.
Treatment of Chronic Migraine
While most migraines can be self-managed with lifestyle modifications, medical intervention is required when migraine is persistent. Various advanced treatment options include:
Acute treatment:
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Medications used to abort a headache episode include – NSAIDs, triptans, and ergot derivatives.
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Use should be limited to 2 days per week.
Prophylactic treatment:
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Oral medications
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Recent advances for refractory cases
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Onabotulinumtoxin A injections - Works by blocking the chemicals that cause pain.
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Nerve blocks - Relieve pain in some individuals by numbing the pain-producing nerves around the head and neck.
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Neuromodulation Techniques - Devices such as Cefaly deliver electrical impulses to the nerves to relieve migraines.
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Maintaining a Headache diary
A headache diary is one of the most important techniques for tracking patterns and triggers related to attacks. The diary should contain information about the duration, number of recurrences, and intensity of each episode; possible triggers such as food, weather, level of stress, sleep pattern, and medications taken must also be indicated.
When to Seek Medical Help in Case of Headache?
If you experience migraine symptoms on a regular basis, keep track of your attacks and how you managed or treated them. Then, schedule an appointment with your doctor to address your headaches. Even if you have a history of headaches, consult your doctor if the pattern of headache changes or your headaches feel unusual or different.
Contact a healthcare professional without delay or visit the emergency department if you experience any of these symptoms, as they may suggest a more critical health issue:
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A sudden and intense headache resembling a thunderclap.
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A headache accompanied by fever, a stiff neck, confusion, convulsions, blurred vision, or numbness and weakness in any body area, which may point to a stroke.
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Head pain following a head injury.
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A persistent headache that intensifies after coughing, physical activity, straining, or abrupt movements.
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Onset of headache pain for the first time after the age of 50 years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, though chronic migraines are very debilitating, knowing their causes, triggers, and prevention and relief measures can be of great help in managing the condition. By taking a proactive approach through lifestyle changes, proper treatment, and medical support, the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes can be reduced.
Our best advice for you would be to work closely with your doctor and keep a migraine diary to understand personal triggers better and find the best treatment plan for relief.
FAQ's
There is no known cure for chronic migraines; however, it is possible to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines by using appropriate preventive measures and medication.
Some natural remedies that may help to alleviate migraine symptoms include acupuncture, essential oils such as peppermint or lavender, and herbal supplements like feverfew or magnesium. However, we advise you to always consult your healthcare provider before trying new treatments.
When experiencing frequent, severe, or poorly responsive migraines, it’s important to reach out to a neurologist or migraine headache specialist for proper diagnosis and treatments.
Triggers vary but often include hormonal changes, stress, certain foods, environmental factors, and sleep disturbances.
Yes, regular exercise, consistent sleep patterns, and stress management techniques can reduce migraine frequency.
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