In the United States, around 17% of women and 5% of men suffer migraine symptoms
- According to experts, staying current on the newest diagnostic and preventative strategies for migraine headaches is critical for treating the illness.
- They go on to say that for patients who suffer from persistent migraines, medicines may be the best solution.
- Migraine affects more than 10% of the world’s population.
Women are three times as likely than males to suffer the disorder. In the United States, around 17% of women get migraine symptoms, whereas fewer than 6% of males do.
Methods for identifying and avoiding these excruciating headaches have evolved dramatically during the last several decades.
Clinical observation and neuroimaging are examples of modern diagnostic procedures, whereas preventative methods range from nutrition and lifestyle suggestions to medication therapies.Reliable Source.
Medical News Today met with five specialists to learn more about migraine diagnosis and prevention.
Migraine Diagnosis
According to Dr. Medhat Mikhael, a pain management expert and the medical director of the non-operative program at the Spine Health Center at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in California, migraine diagnosis differs from other forms of headache.
“Migraine is a clinical diagnosis, and it has clinical criteria that differentiates it from other headaches,” he said to Medical News Today. “Some of these criteria include unilaterality, throbbing, moderate to severe intensity, and aggravated by physical activity, as well as non-headache symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and/or sensitivity to light and sound, known as photophobia and phonophobia.”
The ID Migraine Screener looks for three main migraine-associated symptoms: photophobia, functional impairment, and nausea. A 2003 research that originally introduced this screening tool discovered it had an 81% sensitivityTrusted Source, which means it properly detected migraine patients 81% of the time.
The screening test, according to Dr. Megan Tudor Donnelly, the chief neurologist and women’s headache specialist at Novant Health in North Carolina, is an adequate tool for diagnosis.
“The American Headache Society, along with the American Academy of Neurology, recommends against imaging and other testing such as EEG for migraine if the physical neurological exam is normal and there are no red flags, such as the headaches being’sudden,’ ‘worse,’ or occurring with alarming symptoms such as weight loss or known cancer, HIV, or immune suppression,” she explained to Medical News Today.
“Since migraine disease does not’show up’ on MRI, EEG, or other testing, the most important way to improve on diagnosis is excellent history taking and listening to the patient,” she responded when asked how recommendations may be improved.
“In the future, I believe that some serum biomarkers, i.e. a blood test, such as measuring CGRP levels, will be available for migraines.” But, for the time being, this is merely theoretical,” she continued.
Migraine avoidance
Dr. Romnesh de Souza, a consultant neurologist and interventional neurologist at Health City Cayman Islands, told Medical News Today that changing one’s lifestyle is the greatest approach to avoid headaches.
“It is recommended that you eat on time, preferably small meals at regular intervals, and drink plenty of water.” The majority of patients can identify triggers, such as dairy products or nuts. If certain foods have a detrimental affect on the patient, avoid them. “Keeping a headache diary is also beneficial,” he says.
Dr. Jose Posas, head of Ochsner Health’s Neurology Residency Program, told Medical News Today that exercising may also help avoid migraines.
“Though a minority of patients have migraines caused by exercise, most of the migraine patients I treat do better when they can engage in healthy exercise,” he added. “Exercise does not have to be strength and resistance training; it can be something less impacting like Pilates or yoga.” Stretching is another sometimes ignored component of exercise that may be quite beneficial for many migraine patients.”
Neutraceuticals such as magnesium, riboflavin (B2), butterbur, and coenzyme Q10, according to Tudor Donnelly, may also help avoid migraines.
However, she cautioned that if migraine headaches persist for four or more days per month after taking these precautions, prescription preventatives are advised.
Prescription preventive strategies may include medications like as:
- B-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers, anti-epileptic medicine
- Medication for depression
Medication, according to Dr. Pooja Patel, a neurologist and the head of the epilepsy monitoring unit at Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida.
“Medications are the first line of defense for most migraine sufferers to help prevent and/or relieve pain and other symptoms,” Patel told Medical News Today. “For chronic migraine, we usually start with headache prevention medications from various classes.” If oral treatments are ineffective, Botox and other injectable drugs that are CGRP receptor antagonistsTrusted Source are available. Multiple rescue drugs can be used as needed when a migraine strikes.”
Migraine Management
“The best way to manage migraine is to avoid any of the above-mentioned precipitating or triggering factors while focusing on routine exercises, a healthy diet, adequate and good quality sleep, and stress avoidance,” stated Mikhael.
He mentioned that in some cases, patients may need to take medicine for migraine headaches.
Patel stated that if a person has the following symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention:
“Worst headache they’ve ever had,” such as a “thunderclap” headache.
A headache that is not like their typical headache, such as one that lasts longer than usual.
A headache that causes them to awaken.
“In the case of frequent headaches, a person should be evaluated by a neurologist for treatment because there are currently multiple treatment modalities that can prevent migraine and improve quality of life,” she continued.
Posas emphasized the need of adequate “buy in” and confidence between patients and clinicians.
“It’s also important to consider recovery time and understand that there is no magic cure for migraine.” Even the most effective drugs and therapies require time to work. A realistic approach to migraines is essential, as is understanding that if someone has suffered from headaches for years, it may take a few visits/months before any genuine change is realized,” he said.
Erin Balsa is a highly skilled and knowledgeable health journalist with a passion for educating the public on important health and wellness topics. With extensive experience in both traditional and digital media, Erin has established herself as a trusted voice in the field.