Health Check: Help for migraine sufferers
This is branded content for TerryWhite Chemmart Hamilton.
A large percentage of Australians suffer from migraines but many aren't aware that their agony and the disruption to their lives they cause can be prevented. In this latest in a series of articles focused on keeping the community healthy, TerryWhite Chemmart Hamilton pharmacist Mark Davis explains some of the triggers for migraines and how they can be avoided.
Migraines are a primary headache disorder that affect around 20 per cent of the population at some stage in their lives.
Women and those between 35 and 45 years of age are at a high risk. They can last anywhere from an hour to a few days, with moderate to severe pain.
Typical symptoms include: a throbbing headache commonly felt on one or both temples; warning signs - migraine aura - such as vision loss, flashing lights, numbness or tingling; light, noise or odour sensitivity; blurred vision; nausea or vomiting
A classic migraine can occur with or without warning signs. A silent or acephalgic migraine can occur with all symptoms except head pain.
Causes
The causes of migraines are not fully understood and vary from person to person, but some factors may trigger a migraine. These include:
- hormonal changes in women
- coffee or wine
- eating foods such as cheese, salty and processed foods and food additives
- change in eating schedule
- stress
- bright lights, loud noises or strong smells
- sleep changes
- physical exertion
- season changes
- medications.
How to treat it
Migraines are severe headaches and are not always responsive to similar kind of treatments for other headaches. When symptoms begin, you must try and stop your current activity and take action.
If possible find a quiet, calm, darkened room and lie down, apply hot or cold compresses to your head and neck, drink a small amount of a caffeinated beverage as this can help relieve pain or enhance pain relief in some medications, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol, as appropriate.
If required you can take an anti-nausea medication.
Prevention
Living an active and healthy life and avoiding your triggers is the best way to prevent migraines.
Keeping a migraine diary about your migraine and activities can also help you identify your triggers and try to avoid them.
This may involve:
- reducing stress
- maintaining good posture
- limiting screen time
- checking your pillow offers adequate support
- sleeping well
- eating well and regularly, avoiding foods that may trigger a headache
- staying hydrated
- exercising regularly
- quitting smoking.
There are multiple ways in which to manage migraines be that acute pain relief or preventative therapy prescribed through your doctor.
Our pharmacists at TerryWhite Chemmart Hamilton can also assist you with your migraine management incorporating changes to daily activities that may be contributing, providing pain relief options during an attack, and implementing a plan for future migraines.
Recently, there have been changes to legislation allowing pharmacists greater access to previously prescription-only medications.
To find out how our team can help with your migraine treatment visit us in store or call our pharmacists today on 02 4961 1269.
This is branded content for TerryWhite Chemmart Hamilton.
