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Migraine

What is migraine?

Migraine can be defined as an episodic headache, lasting from 4 to 72 hours, associated with nausea and vomiting.
Some attacks of migraine are preceded by an aura (classical migraine), typically of visual symptoms.
There is complete freedom from symptoms between attacks.
Daily headaches are not migraine

Symptoms of Migraine

•Headache

•Visual disturbances

•Feeling sick

•Vomiting

•Aversion to light and food

•Lethargy

Duration of attacks

The headache of a migraine usually eases within 24 hours of starting but can last anything from part of a day to three days.

Frequency of attacks

Frequency of migraine varies considerably. The attacks may come once or twice a month during a bad patch but a few unlucky people might have a spell of attacks occurring once or twice a week. This could be followed by a gap of several months or even years without an attack

How common is migraine?

It is thought that Migraine affects at least five million people in the UK, i.e. about 10 per cent of the population

Who gets migraine?

Migraine affects more women than men – the ratio is three to one.

What age do migraines begin?

Most people have their first attack before the age of 40. Usually migraine starts during the teens or early twenties.
It is rare for migraine to start in people over the age of 50.

Trigger factors in Migraine

•Foods, such as cheese, chocolate, alcohol or citrus fruits, can cause the attacks.

•Exercise

•Anxiety or stress

•Bright lights

•Loud noise

•Contraceptive pill and hormonal changes in women

•Travel

How is Migraine treated?

Try and identify trigger factors, which means keeping a careful record of events, mainly of foods that have preceded an attack

People suffering a migraine should try to rest in a dark, quiet room.

Treatment of migraine is most effective if given at the start of an attack. Simple painkillers may help and your GP may be able to prescribe other medication

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