What is the current understanding of migraine?
Migraine is more than a headache. As a complex neurological condition, migraine is a disorder that affects the brain and can cause intense pain on one or both sides of the head. Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or sound, and poor concentration. A migraine attack can last 4 to 72 hours. There are approximately 40 million Americans living with migraine.
What are common triggers for migraine?
Many things can trigger a migraine attack, but they’re not the same for everyone.
Common triggers include:
- Stress
- Certain foods
- Alcohol
- Skipping meals
- Sudden changes in weather/barometric pressure
- Hormonal changes in women around the time of their periods
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Over-medicating
This is not a complete list of migraine triggers. Beyond these triggers, having a family history of migraine and being female can also impact the likelihood of having migraine attacks.
How does menopause affect migraine?
Fluctuations in hormones during perimenopause, or the transition to menopause, can increase the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.
How many people live with migraine?
Migraine is one of the most common neurological diseases. Migraine affects 1 in 4 households in the US. There are approximately 40 million Americans living with migraine.
Are there any recent developments that can help treat migraine?
Over the last few years, there have been many developments in better understanding a potential root cause of migraine pain and the introduction of a new class of treatment. If your current migraine medication is not working for you, talk to your doctor about different treatments available today.
How do I get rid of migraine attacks?
There is no cure for migraine. However, there are treatment options. Since the severity and frequency of migraine attacks can differ from person to person, the way they’re treated can vary. There are two main approaches to migraine care: stop migraine attacks after they start (acute) or prevent them before they start (preventive). Many people with migraine use both acute and preventive treatments. These types of treatments can come in the form of oral medications, nasal sprays, injections, or devices.
