MIGRAINE PATIENT EDUCATION SLIDES

1
MIGRAINE PATIENT EDUCATION SLIDES
2
WHAT IS MIGRAINE?

• Migraine is the most common type of headache
  disorder, characterized by recurring headaches,
  which vary in intensity
• Usually affects only one side of the head, is
  often pounding and may be accompanied by
  decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting and
  intolerance to light and sound
• The headache may last for hours, or sometimes
  days, with the sufferer having to retire to bed
  in a darkened room

3
WHAT ARE THE TYPES MIGRAINE?

• MIGRAINE WITH AURA
• A migraine headache typically starts with some
  visual disturbances, like bright dots, flashing
  of light or zig-zag lines. These symptoms which
  occur before headache are called aura
• MIGRAINE WITHOUT AURA
• In migraine without aura, these visual symptoms
  are not seen before headache

AURA
4
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF MIGRAINE?

• The exact cause of Migraine is unknown
• High levels of the chemical serotonin, in the
  brain, are believed to cause the blood vessels to
  narrow. This decrease in blood flow may be
  responsible for causing visual disturbances
  (aura).
• When the levels of serotonin fall again, the
  blood vessels widen (dilate) causing the pain (or
  headache).

HEADACHE
5
TRIGGERS OF MIGRAINEEach person is different
but there are some triggers commonly involved.

• Food
• Coffee
• Cheese, chocolate
• Alcohol
• Disturbed sleep pattern
• Lack of sleep
• Excess of sleep
• Hormonal changes
• Menstruation
• Change in hormonal supplement dosage
• Certain medications
• Physical exertion

6
TRIGGERS OF MIGRAINE (contd.)

• Exposure to bright light
• Loud sound
• Strong smell
• Sudden weather changes
• Hunger
• Psychological factors
• Stress
• Anger
• fear

7
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF MIGRAINE?

• Head pain (pounding, pulsating, throbbing)
• Nausea/vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Light or sound sensitivity
• Scalp tenderness
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Double vision
• Blind spots
• Irritability

8
HOW IS MIGRAINE DIAGNOSED?

• Migraine has a specific pattern to the headache
  and diagnosis is normally based on a history of
  the symptoms
• Sometimes, diagnostic tests may be required to
  rule out other medical conditions

9
HOW IS MIGRAINE TREATED?

• Avoiding the known triggers of an attack is an
  important aspect of treatment.
• Pharmacological treatment can be broadly divide
  into two classes
• Drugs used to relieve an existing attack e.g.
  triptans
• OR
• Drugs used to prevent an attack form occurring
  e.g. beta-blockers
• As some people experience vomiting during an
  attack, medications to stop vomiting may also be
  used

10
MAINTAIN A HEADACHE DIARY

• Controlling migraine is all about looking for
  patterns of attacks, so one should keep a record
  of his attacks in a diary, include the following
  things in it
• Date of attack
• What time the attack began
• Record the potential triggers
• Symptoms including aura, if present
• What medication you took and what was the dose
• What time the attack ended
• What were the warning signs