You don’t have to put up with the misery of migraines

According to The Migraine Trust, it is estimated that around 10 million adults in the UK are affected by migraines. That’s 10 million people whose lives are regularly disrupted by severe and debilitating headaches as well as a host of accompanying symptoms. And despite being the third most common health condition in the world – more common than diabetes, asthma and epilepsy combined – there are still significant gaps in our knowledge regarding their root cause, for example. What we do know, however, is that research is advancing all the time and there is now a range of effective treatments available. Read on to discover more about managing migraines…

What is a migraine?

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that usually involves a throbbing or pulsating headache on one side of the head. The three main types of migraine include:

• Migraine with aura
• Migraine without aura
• Migraine aura without headache

The term ‘aura’ refers to visual disturbances such as flashing lights and coloured spots. Other associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness or tingling sensations, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, smell and movement.

Migraine can also be classified as episodic or chronic:

• Episodic: Symptoms occur on 1-14 days per month
• Chronic: Symptoms occur on 15 or more days per month

Potential causes and common triggers

There is growing evidence to suggest that the cause of migraines may be genetic. We also know that hormones play a role, as 2-3 times as many women suffer from the condition compared to men.

Every migraine sufferer is different and what triggers an attack in one person may not have an effect on another. However, some of the most common environmental triggers include changes in barometric pressure, bright sunlight and flickering lights.

Potential lifestyle triggers include stress, poor diet, skipping meals, too much caffeine, not enough exercise and poor quality sleep.

Managing a migraine attack

If you feel a migraine is imminent, you might find the following suggestions help to limit the intensity of the attack:

• Rest in a dark, quiet room
• Apply a cold compress to your forehead or behind your neck
• Apply pressure to your temples in a circular motion
• Gently massage your scalp

When to see a GP

If regular migraine attacks are interfering with your everyday life, it’s time to see a GP. The highly experienced doctors at YourGP understand what a debilitating impact that migraines can have on individuals, and we are committed to finding a treatment that works for you. There are several options available, and in fact some of our GPs have just returned from a major conference and are delighted to introduce a new prescription medication for the effective management of migraines. This safe and effective drug can be taken to stop the symptoms of an acute migraine and prevent regular migraines.

We’ll find a migraine treatment that’s right for you

If you would like to discuss all the available treatment options, make an appointment with one of our GPs by using our simple online booking system. Or you can email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you, so you can put finally put an end to the misery of migraines.