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migraine

disease

Definition, causes and course of migraine

Migraines are characterized by pulsating throbbing and pounding pain, usually only on one side of the head. Migraine attacks can last up to three days. Many patients become ill, and vomiting is one of the common side effects of migraine . In addition, many suffer from sensitivity to light and noise. Migraine attacks are characterized by tiredness or visual disturbances (aura). Physical activity aggravates migraine. The frequency of attacks varies between twice a year and once or twice a week, the pain lasts up to 72 hours. It is important to understand the cause of migraine holistically. Cervical diseases can cause headaches, cardiovascular problems or even basic lifestyle problems. Even inflammation of the tooth roots, eye diseases or problems with the paranasal sinuses can lead to throbbing or stinging in the head. No wonder that a headache patient may end up at the dentist or ophthalmologist and may not get the optimal treatment there due to a wrong diagnosis. Women are significantly more likely to be affected by migraine than men.

treatment

For self-treatment with painkillers, you should be especially careful in case of migraine. Many patients resort to over-the-counter medications, but these are not effective in a migraine attack. The group of triptans (analgesic drugs that work only at the pain site) is considered the most effective aid against migraine and cluster headaches . Triptans narrow the dilated blood vessels in migraine. They are among the prescription medicines. The drug "Formigran" (pharmacy) is an over-the-counter variant and available for free sale. Particularly severe cases are treated with preparations from the ergotamine fungus (ergotamine preparations), which, however, have more side effects than the triptans. If migraines are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, anti-enetics (for nausea) are prescribed. Mostly with the active ingredients metoclopramide or domperidone. Antidepressants also help against headaches. But how they work exactly is not fully understood. The German Migraine League advises relaxation techniques such as yoga or autogenic training. In many cases, it helps to cool the painful area, for example with a cloth-wrapped ice pack or a special migraine pad (pharmacy). The cold has a vasoconstrictive effect. It is important in migraine attacks also to keep calm. Ideally you should sleep in a darkened room. In severe migraine attacks always the doctor must be consulted.

Prevention and self-help

Hormonal fluctuations, stress, mental stress, sleep disorders, alcohol and nicotine are so-called trigger factors (stimuli that can trigger migraines). That is why it is important for the prevention of migraine attacks to ensure a balanced daily routine and to avoid stress as much as possible. You should also abstain from alcohol and nicotine. In addition, it helps in the migraine-free time supporting sports, or endurance sports. Even a regular daily routine helps preventively. For example, meals should not be left out. A good way to learn to protect the body from stress reactions is to use the biofeedback method (contacts through the doctor). In case of migraines or other types of headaches, you should seek medical advice, preferably from a headache expert (an experienced neurologist or a specialist in pain management) to rule out that the symptoms are caused by life-threatening diseases such as brain tumor, cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis or a stroke. The specialist has the necessary examination equipment available and knows the most effective therapies.

Hospitals and other institutions offering expert treatment and information on headaches and migraines:

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL EPPENDORF

Special consultation for headache disorders: Neurological Clinic

Martinistr. 52

20246 Hamburg

Tel .: 0 40/4 28 03 27 80

www.uke.uni-hamburg.de/ clinics / neurology

SCHOOL CLINIC OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KIEL

Chronic neurological pain disorders form the focus of treatment, the director is Professor Hartmut Göbel

Heikendorfer Weg 9 - 27

24149 Kiel

Tel .: 04 31/2 00 99 65

www.schmerzklinik.de

GERMAN MIGRAINE AND HEADACHE LIGA

General information for those affected

Diesterwegstraße 10 - 12

24113 Kiel

Tel .: 04 31/6 59 46 30

www.dmkg.org

HEAD CENTER LEIPZIG

Interdisciplinary center with ear, nose and throat department, neurology, psychiatry

Dr. Angelika Strauss

Fichtestr. 9

04275 Leipzig

Tel .: 03 41/3 09 54 20

www.praxis-strauss.de

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