Millions of people around the world suffer from migraines that disrupt their daily lives and impair their ability to function. With innovative treatments, identifying triggers, and a customized routine, migraines will stop running our lives. In honor of World Migraine Awareness Day this week.
Dr. Marina Yegorov, Director of the Neurology Unit at Lin Medical Center, and Dr. Sivan Bloch, Head of the Stroke Clinic at the Neurology Unit at Lin, Haifa and Western Galilee District of Clalit, and Director of the Neurology Department at Carmel Medical Center, part of Clalit Group:
What is a migraine?
Migraine is a syndrome of severe headaches, usually one-sided and throbbing, lasting hours to days. It is sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise. About 20% of patients experience an "aura" - visual disturbances such as flashes or blurring, which warn of an impending attack.
Diagnosis is made primarily based on the description of symptoms and an examination by a neurologist. Imaging tests (CT, MRI) are sometimes performed to rule out other causes.
In Israel, about a million people live with migraine, most of them women, due to the influence of hormonal changes. The attacks are common during adolescence, and sometimes weaken with age.
What triggers a migraine?
Although the exact causes are not completely known, it is known that there are various triggers:
- Nutritional: certain foods, skipping meals.
- Environmental: weather changes, bright lights, strong odors.
- Emotional and physical: stress, changes in sleep, uncontrolled physical activity.
- Hormonal: menstruation, pregnancy, use of pills.
Therefore, proper management of triggers is important for reducing the frequency of attacks.
A revolution in treatment
Migraine treatment is personalized and combines a pharmacological approach and a healthy lifestyle. An integral part of treatment is to identify the factors that trigger an attack and try to avoid them. In recent years, great progress has been made when a substance in the nervous system called CGRP was discovered, the levels of which increase during a migraine attack. Following this discovery, new drugs were developed that block its action, thereby preventing the attack in advance.
Today there are two main options
- Preventive injections: Given once a month or once every three months, and intended for those who suffer from severe and frequent seizures. The injections block CGRP and significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures.
- Pills: Innovative oral medications that block the same substance and allow for more convenient and flexible treatment for those who prefer oral treatment.
It is worth emphasizing that not every patient requires preventive treatment; some may find that medication that relieves the attack as soon as it begins is sufficient. Treatment is adjusted in conjunction with the neurologist and according to the seizure pattern and the patient's characteristics. The combination of new medications, professional monitoring, and adherence to an adjusted lifestyle allow many to live fuller, more controlled lives.
Customized lifestyle management
Lifestyle changes are an integral part of treatment.
- Identifying triggers: Documenting the timing of attacks, their circumstances, and intensity helps identify what triggers the pain.
- An organized lifestyle: sufficient sleep, adherence to regular meals, moderate physical activity, and stress reduction.
- Professional support: ongoing follow-up with a neurologist, along with customized training.
Migraine in times of emergency and war
During times of emergency, such as war, stress, uncertainty, and disrupted routines can worsen migraine attacks. When sleep is disrupted by alarms and frequent awakenings, it is recommended to try to compensate for sleep hours with short breaks during the day, to follow a well-balanced diet, to maintain an evening routine that is as calm as possible, and to practice relaxation and breathing. If necessary, it is worth seeking neurological advice and reporting any changes in the frequency of attacks.
In conclusion
Migraine remains a chronic disease, but with appropriate treatment, identification of triggers, and lifestyle changes, pain can be significantly reduced and quality of life improved. With innovative medications and close monitoring, even the most severely ill can regain control of their lives – and not let migraine control them.