Pittwater Life June 2022 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health Special Feature
Be migraine aware: it’s
more than a headache
It has been estimated 4.9 million Australians – one in five – are living
with migraine. To mark International Migraine Awareness month, we’ve
brought together information from the Brain Foundation and patient
advocacy group Migraine Australia to help you understand more about
this common and often debilitating disorder. By Lisa Offord
What is migraine
Migraine is a neurological disorder
that is characterised by an
intense one-sided throbbing or
pulsating headache, which lasts
between 4 and 72 hours with
some warning symptoms (aura)
before, and a ‘migraine hangover’
(Postdrome) afterward.
Migraine can be aggravated
by physical activity and is very
often associated with nausea
and vomiting, as well as
increased sensitivity to light,
sound and even some types of
smell.
According to Migraine Australia,
many people who live
with migraine may not have a
headache at all, and never know
they have migraine. For others,
migraine attacks are frequent
and can be debilitating.
Causes
The exact cause of migraine
remains a mystery; however recent
research suggests strong
genetic links.
People with migraine often
report that environmental
factors such as diet, or the
weather provoke or aggravate
symptoms.
The most reported food triggers
are chocolate, cheese, coffee
or other caffeinated drinks,
nuts, citrus fruits, processed
meats, additives, fatty or salty
foods, and alcoholic drinks.
Other triggers include bright
or flickering light, motion,
loud sounds, strong odours,
changes in weather, fatigue or
lack of sleep, stress, hormones,
skipping meals and some
medications.
How to manage
migraine
Migraine cannot be cured but it
can be managed by a combination
of lifestyle changes,
About aura
A third of migraine patients
experience ‘aura’ which is a
range of neurological symptoms
such as seeing lines, zigzag
patterns, or a colourless
‘hole’ in the vision, numbness
and weakness, or dizziness,
prior to the headache. Some
people only have the aura
symptoms and do not get
headache.
medications and tools that are
right for you. Here are Migraine
Australia’s top lifestyle tips.
Establish a routine. At a minimum
get up at the same time,
eat at the same time and go to
bed at the same time every day
of the week. Getting a good
night’s sleep is particularly
important.
Spread out your meals. Consider
changing the way you eat
to five or six small meals a day
rather than three big ones. This
will help keep your blood sugar
consistent and may help reduce
your attacks.
Do an elimination diet. This
is best done with a dietitian to
help find any food triggers so
you can avoid them.
Keep a diary. Keep a diagnostic
migraine diary for three months
to help identify other triggers,
such as stress or changes in
the weather. For women, pay
particular attention to your
menstrual cycle: a migraine
attack around ovulation and a
day or two before your period
is common.
Stay active. Thirty minutes of
light exercise, such as a walk
or yoga, daily can be very
beneficial however, high impact
exercise can make migraine
worse.
Medications
Acute treatments refer to
medications used to treat a
migraine attack at the onset
of symptoms. These include
simple pain relief medications
you can buy over the counter
in pharmacies or supermarkets
or medications that can alter
pressure on blood vessels, and
anti-nausea medications.
If you are experiencing more
than three migraine attacks
a month, Migraine Australia
recommends you talk to your
Simple tools to help manage
migraine attacks and reduce
symptoms include:
n Having a sleep
n Putting an ice pack on the
back of the neck or head
n Lying down in a dark, quiet,
and cool room
n Drinking a cold cola or strong
coffee
n Drinking a sports drink or
eating salty food if craving salt
n Taking a hot shower or using
heat packs
doctor about trying preventive
medications, taken at regular
intervals to reduce the incidence
of attacks.
Complementary
therapies
The Brain Foundation says the
following therapies may also be
used to further reduce migraine
attacks.
n Acupuncture: Stimulating
acupoints may ease pain by
encouraging production of endorphins
(natural painkillers).
n Alexander Technique: Can
help prevent headaches by
relieving poor posture and
pressure that results from it.
n Biofeedback: Patients learn
to control blood pressure, heart
rate, and spasms in the arteries
supplying the brain through a
sensory device.
n Hypnotherapy: May help a
patient cope with headache by
altering the way the body interprets
messages of pain.
n Massage: Can reduce muscle
tension throughout the body,
thereby reducing headache.
n Meditation: To relieve stress
which is a major trigger for
some migraine patients.
Where to get help
For most people, migraine can
be managed effectively with the
help of a GP without the need
for specialists or tests.
However, Migraine Australia
recommends asking for a referral
to a neurologist to confirm
the diagnosis and says getting
an MRI is a good idea if you
have complex symptoms.
Physiotherapy can be helpful
and as migraine is commonly
linked with anxiety and depression,
having a psychologist
as part of your care team is
strongly recommended. Also,
many people benefit from joining
a support group.
Health & Wellbeing
50 JUNE 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2022 51