Migraine Treatment Dubai
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An Overview of Migraine:
Migraine is a prevalent form of headache that affects approximately 20% of people, with women being more prone to it than men.
It is a complex brain disorder that takes several forms of manifestation. Migraine attacks are characterised by a recurring, stereotypical headache that usually affects one side of the head and can be moderate to severe in intensity, forcing sufferers to miss work or school.
While migraines can start as episodic headaches, they can progress into chronic migraines over time, with increasing frequency of attacks varying from person to person. Migraine commonly begins during puberty or young adulthood and can continue until menopause.
When to seek for Medical Advice For Migraine Treatment Dubai?
A patient with at least 15 migraine days per month for three months or more is considered to have chronic migraine, and should go for a migraine treatment.
How is it different from a headache?
Although migraine and headache are sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct differences. Migraine is a neurological disorder involving specific nervous system changes during an attack. It is not simply a headache! but more!!
Migraines signs and symptoms include
- A migraine attack lasting up to three days
- Need to rest in a dark room or sleep during an attack
- Intolerance to light and sounds
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache preceded by transient visual symptoms
- Visual symptoms include white or black spots, colourful lines typically in zigzag, or even blurry vision in a part of the visual field.
- Rarely, patients might have sensory, motor, or speech transient symptoms
- Aura migraine pain lasting between 15 to 60 minutes,
Although migraine can cause head pain or headache, headache is a broad term to describe any head pain. Not all headaches are migraines.
Researchers associate changes in the nervous system during a migraine attack. However, these changes cannot be detected by scans or blood tests. Therefore, doctors rely on specific symptoms rather than test results to diagnose migraines.
Phases of migraine: Understanding migraine progression for better management of symptoms
Knowing the different phases of a migraine can aid in its management.
Typically, migraine progresses in four stages
STAGE 1: Prodrome
The prodrome is the first or initial stage of migraine. It provides warning signs such as fatigue, blurred vision, changes in mood, sensitivity to light and sound, and muscle stiffness, indicating the need for abortive medication. Early treatment can prevent symptoms for some people. Individuals may experience symptoms such as Identifying and treating them early on, which can prevent the headache or lessen its severity.
STAGE 2: Aura
The aura phase affects about one-third of people with migraine. It can manifest symptoms like blurred vision, geometric patterns, flashing lights, or blind spots in one or both eyes. These symptoms typically last up to 60 minutes and can be followed by a headache, but not always. In some cases, the aura can occur after the onset of a headache.
STAGE 3: Headache
The headache phase is characterised by pain on either one or both sides of the head and can last from several hours to up to three days. The pain ranges from mild to debilitating headaches accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, and sensitivity to sound, light, and smell.
STAGE 4: Postdrome
The postdrome phase, also known as the “migraine hangover,” occurs after the headache phase has ended. Symptoms during this phase can include body aches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, dizziness, and sensitivity to light. This phase can be just as debilitating as the headache phase for some individuals.
Keeping a headache diary can help individuals with migraine recognise their symptoms and the phases they experience before and after each headache. Identifying these symptoms and seeking treatment early can help prevent or lessen the severity of a migraine attack.
Some researchers find menstruation, exposure to light or smell, stress, lack of sleep, hunger, dehydration, and alcohol consumption are among the factors many migraine patients have identified as triggers. Some patients may also experience migraines triggered by changes in weather and barometric pressure.
In addition, a patient with migraines may have other types of headaches, such as tension-type headaches, sinusitis, or neck pain; hence their identification is a must for the timely management of migraine symptoms.
Migraine Specialist Dubai - Dr El Toukhy
While there is no definitive cure for migraines, successful management is possible as effective migraine treatment.
Treatment for migraines involves abortive treatment to stop attacks and preventive treatment to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, as well as addressing triggering factors and making lifestyle changes.
Dr Mohamed El Toukhy is a highly experienced pain management specialist with thorough experience in pain management due to various causes, including migraine pain.
Book an appointment with Dr EL Toukhy and get pain relief from migraine with migraine treatment Dubai.