Chronic Migraines

According to a clinical criteria definition, people who suffer from chronic migraines spend half of their month living with debilitating headaches. Here is the definition: a headache that occurs 15 or more days a month with headache lasting 4 hours or longer for at least 3 consecutive months in people with current or prior diagnosis of migraine. Clearly, chronic migraine is a condition that can cause financial, emotional, and physical damage to its patients and about 80% of people suffering with this condition are not properly diagnosed. Regular doctors are not the best physicians to seek out. You need to talk to a Headache Specialist if you have headaches that meet the above criteria. Only through a specialist can you find the treatments that will relieve your symptoms.

Who gets Chronic Migraines?

According to a recent publication that documents global chronic migraine rates, about 3.2 million Americans, mostly women, suffer from chronic migraine headaches. These people are heavily impacted by their migraine experiences. Over a three month period, those with chronic migraine are more likely to miss five or more days from work, school, household work, and family activities.

Symptoms and Triggers

Since migraine headaches are not your typical headache, it is important to know what the symptoms are and what possible triggers there are for your headaches.

• Symptoms: Migraines may be associated with symptoms such as nausea and/or vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to sound. Migraines may also be associated with changes in vision or sound, called aura. These symptoms come just before or just when the migraine begins. There may also be changes in smell.  Aura symptoms develop gradually from five to 20 minutes and last usually less than an hour.
• Triggers: Migraine headaches may be triggered by certain factors. In fact, three out of four people with migraine report triggers associated with their migraines. Given a list of triggers, 95% of those suffering with migraines report certain circumstances or environmental triggers that brought on their attacks. Common triggers may include:
  • Physical exertion or activity
  • Stress
  • Hormonal changes
  • Skipping meals
  • Sleep disturbances and sleeping late
  • Weather changes
  • Perfume or odor
  • Neck pain
  • Lights
  • Alcohol
  • Smoke
  • Heat
  • Food/diet

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list. There may be others.

Treatment Options

Many of the treatments for episodic migraine are used for chronic migraine. Prescription and over the counter painkillers are used as well as migraine specific drugs such as triptans. These are known as abortive or acute medications. The only problem with some of these drugs is the side effects associated with them. Most people cannot tolerate these treatments for long periods of time. Also, many sufferers of chronic migraine over-use pain medications. Seventy three percent of patients fall into this category, which can cause further complications.

Natural Treatment Options

In addition to medicinal treatments for chronic migraine, some authorities suggest that certain natural treatments may help relieve or prevent migraine.

• Water: Dehydration can be a major cause of headaches. Be sure to drink plenty of water.
• Caffeine: Caffeine is a double-edged sword. It can help or hinder the headache. Caffeine can restrict blood vessels, ease pain, and is often used as a component in many headache medications. However, if someone over-uses caffeine, it can cause a re-bound headache, making an existing headache worse.
• A Headband around the Head: Tying a headband around the head has been practiced since ancient times. Although it is not known how it works, some people claim it does work.
• Fish Oil: Those who use fish oil claim that it reduces inflammation and works by restricting the blood vessels in your temples. Although there is no research to support this, it is worth a try.
• Peppermint Oil: Those who say this works suggest you rub this on the part of your head that hurts. There is no research for this but people say it works.
• Eat Ginger or take Ginger Capsules: This remedy helps reduce nausea. Again, no research but people say it helps.
• Magnesium: Research is underway concerning this supplement. When taken in doses of 400 to 600 milligrams per day, magnesium is effective for menstrual-associated migraines and migraines associated with auras. However, caution must be taken as too much magnesium can cause diarrhea.
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): When 400 to 600 milligrams a day are taken, vitamin B2 can also act as a preventative for migraines. However, it can cause some people to urinate more frequently or have darker urine, so the dosage may have to be adjusted.
• CoenzymeQ10: Although it can be expensive, 300 milligrams per day of this supplement has proven to be effective in reducing head pain.
• Butterbur: This is the most effective natural medicine for migraine headaches. It is a plant grown in Germany and extensive studies have proven that in pill form, it is very effective in treating migraine pain and asthma, as well as alleviating upset stomachs. Butterbur is safe, although it can only be ordered online.
• Cold (or hot) Compress: This is another home remedy that some people swear by but that doctors are unsure as to why it works.

Although some of these remedies may not work for your situation, there may be some that do. The best way to tell is to keep a headache diary where you can document what triggers your migraines and what, if any, treatments work for your symptoms. I believe, as do some authorities, that the less medicines you take, the better off you will be.

Tags: Acupuncture, chiropractic care, Chronic migraine, Massage Therapy, migraine headaches, Migraine Support Formula, natural treatment, preventative migraine treatment, severe migraine pain