Migraine Prevention

Sep 13, 2021

Migraine Prevention

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a type of headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or pulsing sensation. It usually presents on one side of the head and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. When a person suffers from a migraine attack, it can last several hours to days, and the pain could be so severe that it can interfere with the person’s daily activity. Sometimes, a visual disturbance called aura may present itself before or during a migraine attack. If the person presents aura, they may experience blurry vision, flashes of light, or blind spots.

Migraine is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world. It is most common among people ages 18 – 44. Nearly 18% of women, 6% of men, and 10% of children suffer from migraines in the USA. Population prevalence studies report migraine prevalence rates from 2.6% to 21.7%, for an average of 12%. The most recent statistical analysis said that 15.4% and 15.5% of adults in the USA suffered from severe headaches or migraines in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Migraine symptoms and triggers:

If you suffer from migraine, you may experience the following symptoms:

Pain in one side of the head (unilateral)
Nausea and Vomiting
Throbbing pain or pulsation
Light and sound sensitivity
Confusion
Irritability
Visual Disturbances

Triggers that may initiate or worsen migraine include:

Hormonal Changes
Alcohol
Coffee
Stress
Strong Smells (smoke, perfume, gasoline)
Changes in Weather
Meal skipping
Some medications (oral contraceptives and vasodilators)

What are the risk factors for migraines?

Major risk factors for migraines are gender, age, and genetics. Women are three times more likely to experience migraine attacks than men, and people ages 18-44 are more at risk of experiencing migraines than people under 18 and over 44. This does not, however, mean that children or older people cannot suffer from a migraine attack.

How can migraine be prevented?

The following strategies may prevent migraine attacks:

Establishing a healthy sleeping pattern (7-8 hours)
Avoiding triggers such as consuming alcohol and coffee
Practicing relaxation techniques
Avoiding hunger and low blood sugar levels
Making dietary restrictions
Practicing stress management

Maintaining adherence of prescription medications for migraine management

can also help prevent migraine attacks.

Prescription oral medications such as Propranolol, Topiramate, and/or Amitriptyline can be used as the first choice to prevent migraine attacks. Naproxen, which is available without a prescription, can also be used for prevention. Injectable agents, such as Botulinum toxin A, have been proven safe and effective for preventing migraines. Triptans and ergotamine derivatives are migraine-specific medications used to manage acute migraine attacks. Examples of triptans and ergotamine derivatives include Sumatriptan and Frovatriptan, and Ergotamine Tartrate and Dihydroergotamine, respectively.

References:

Migraine Research Foundation: https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201
WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-causes

< Older Post Newer Post >

MC-Rx to Present Abstract at 2024 AMCP Conference, Focusing on Improving Adherence

21 Mar, 2024

MC-Rx, powered by ProCare Rx, has been notified by the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) of the acceptance of their abstract, “Improving Adherence to HIV PREP via a PBM-Driven Educational Intervention” , for presentation at AMCP 2024 Conference in April.