Migraine can severely impact a person's quality of life. As one of the primary headache disorders, it is the third most common disorder in the U.S. affecting 10% of the population.
While migraine can have a severe impact on a person’s quality of life and well-being, it is treatable and possibly preventable through medications and lifestyle changes.
“Even after we find good medication regimens, we often tend to see a pattern where a percentage of the population tends to have poor control of their headaches after being treated, then when we really dive into it, you realize that it's not just medical management, it's also lifestyle modification,” said Piedmont neurologist, Dr. Supriya Ramesha.
In light of Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, Dr. Ramesha offers tips to help mitigate and manage migraines.
Identify and Avoid Triggers
As research into the cause of migraine continues, a concept called the prodromal phase suggests that those who suffer from migraine have symptoms even before the onset of the headache phase.
It can be fatigue, generalized tiredness, dizziness, cognitive symptoms, not being able to focus, neck pain and this light and sound sensitivity presents in that prodromal phase.
In the second phase, “aura,” you typically see bright-colored lights or flashing lights that typically last for a few minutes to an hour. Then the migraine ensues.
“We’re still kind of debating, but some of the triggers that we thought were triggers were actually just prodromal symptoms of the migraine,” Dr. Ramesha said.
Various factors, however, could be considered triggers for migraine:
- Certain foods and beverages, such as aged cheese, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol
- Emotional stress and anxiety
- Bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells
- Lack of sleep
- Weather or altitude changes
- Hormone fluctuations in women
Keeping a migraine diary can help. You can record the duration and intensity of the headache, what you did or ate before it started, and whether it responded to treatments.
Medication Management
There are two main types of medication used to treat migraines:
- Preventive Medications: Taken daily to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
- Abortive Medications: Taken at the onset of a migraine to treat a migraine attack as needed.
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication. Avoid using over-the-counter (OTC) medications too frequently for headaches, as headaches can actually get worse over time if OTC medications (and some abortive migraine prescription medications) are used too much, which is called a medication overuse headache.
“In addition to precipitating more headaches, it can worsen your blood pressure, it can cause really bad acid reflux disease, gastric ulcers,” Dr. Ramesha explained. “If the severity of use is pretty bad, it can cause chronic kidney disease, and it can cause kidney damage by taking too many of these medications.”
Lifestyle Modifications
There are things you can do in your day-to-day life besides taking medications to help manage headaches.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Avoid looking at your phone or TV right before bed, and avoid caffeine or alcohol before bed.
- Eat regular, balanced meals.
- Manage stress. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help manage stress.
- Regular exercise
- Cut down on caffeine over time, but do not stop drinking caffeine all of a sudden. If you stop too fast, you can experience caffeine withdrawal.
Regular Check-ups
Dr. Ramesha says having headaches even as little as once a week isn’t normal.
Regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider are essential to managing your migraines and medication effectively. Your treatment plan may need adjustments based on your medication response and other factors.
If your migraines significantly impact your quality of life, ask your primary care doctor about seeing a neurologist to discuss evaluation and treatment options.