Migraines

If you suffer from migraines, you’ll know first-hand how debilitating they can be. It’s a type of intense headache, most commonly characterised by a pounding pain in one side of the head. This may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, difficulty speaking, dizziness, tingling sensations, and a sensitivity to light or sound. The severity and symptoms of a migraine vary between individuals, but a single migraine can last anywhere between a few hours to several days.

Unfortunately, the migraine is a recurring condition and a common one, too. It’s estimated that around one in five women and one in 15 men suffer from them. The most common type, which affects 70 – 90% of patients, is a “migraine without aura”. This usually strikes without any warning signs. The less common “migraine with aura” has additional symptoms of the nervous system. Sufferers may see visual phenomena, temporarily lose sight, or feel weak on one side of the body.

It’s actually not known what causes the condition, but it tends to run in families, so genetics are believed to play a part. The frequency of migraines can also vary greatly. Some people may experience several in one week, while others may not have an attack for a few years. However, they can also be triggered by a wide variety of factors in individuals such as:

• Stress
• Hormonal changes in women
• Alcohol intake or smoking
• Intense physical activity
• Missing meals
• Eating certain foods
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Dehydration
• Extreme weather, especially heat
• Reaction to certain medications
• Exposure to bright lights or loud sounds
• Travel

Migraine is a complex condition that has been difficult to treat. However, one solution that has been very successful in preventing migraines for many people is, curiously, muscle-relaxing injections with Botulinum Toxin (better known by the brand name Botox®). This is something we offer at the clinic and you can learn more about by clicking at the link above.