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Quick help against the excruciating headache
Are there migraine personalities? And what really helps against the hellish headache? Experts are getting closer and closer to the phenomenon. Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel from the Pain Clinic Kiel on current research results and therapeutic approaches.
Experts estimate that in Germany every day about 900 000 people suffer from migraine. But only three in ten sufferers know the name of their illness. Many try everything without diagnosis for their headaches. It would be advisable to consult a specialist in order to find a suitable therapy. Professionals such as Prof. Dr. med. Hartmut Göbel from the Pain Clinic Kiel know best how to get a grip on migraine pain.
The true causes
IRRITATION: "As we now know, the nervous system of migraine sufferers is constantly under high tension, and stimuli are absorbed earlier and faster by the brain and processed more quickly", says Prof. Dr. med. Goebel. Until recently, it was still unknown why that is. But here they have made a discovery: "Probably a specific change in the genome is responsible for the particular excitability of nerve cells, " explains the expert. Say: The tendency to migraine is innate.
MICRO-INFLAMMATION: A fixed stimulus processing - that sounds positive. But neurologically speaking, it has far-reaching consequences: "Overloading the nerve cells too quickly or too long causes their energy supply to collapse, derail, and the neurons release unhindered pain-releasing messengers that ignite the walls of the veins and meninges and cause hammering migraine headaches ", says Prof. Dr. med. Goebel.
Frequent triggers
In people who have a predisposition to migraine, various factors can cause a sudden change in the nervous system and thus an attack. These triggers can be very diverse. Most sufferers do not just react to one but to several.
HORMONE: "From clinical studies we know that a sudden decrease in the estrogen level is a possible triggering factor, " says Prof. Dr. med. Goebel. In sensitive women, timely administration of estrogen can help prevent an attack.
RHYTHM CHANGES: One of the factors that often overflows is the daily rhythm. "This can be a missed meal, a lack of fluids or too little sleep, " explains Prof. Dr. med. Goebel. A well-regulated daily routine is therefore important for migraine sufferers.
OUTER REIZE: Even light, noise, odors can overstrain the nerves with appropriate predisposition.
PSYCH: Further, there are often sensations behind a seizure. So stress, anxiety, but also joy can lead to headaches.
CERTAIN FOOD: "It used to be thought that chocolate or cheese could cause migraines, but today we know that the cravings for such high-calorie foods are a harbinger symptom, " explains Prof. Dr. med. Goebel. So here one should not confuse cause and effect. However: "Alcohol like red wine can actually trigger migraine attacks, " says the expert.
The best helps
"For the treatment, it is important to find the personal triggering factors and then avoid them as much as possible, " says the migraine specialist. A pain calender serves to track them down. Should it come to the attack, modern preparations help.
MEDICAMENT FROM THE DOCTOR: "During the attack should be intervened as quickly and effectively. The most effective drugs available today are triptans, which are individually selected in medical consultation, "says Dr. Göbel, who block the release of neurotransmitters and also counteract concomitant symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, noise and photosensitivity,
TREAT YOURSELF: "Suitable painkillers are acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen and paracetamol. Effervescent tablets are taken up faster and are therefore more effective", says Prof. Dr. med. Goebel. To avoid overuse, which in turn can lead to headaches, use: use painkillers on a maximum of ten days per month.
CLEVER PREVENT: "The focus in modern therapy is to prevent migraines, " says the expert. A regular diet, breaks in everyday life, a balance between work and leisure, relaxation procedures and regular endurance sports contribute to this.
TESTING ALTERNATIVES: Acupuncture or the biofeedback procedure can be used to learn how to control involuntary bodily functions. However, it is important: passive lying down alone does not work. Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel: "Those affected must take responsibility and shape their everyday lives so that the likelihood of seizures is reduced."
