Headache - migraines | Better Health Channel
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Summary

Migraine headache is a recognised medical condition. The pain is severe and throbbing, and usually on one side of the head. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, affected vision including seeing 'auras' and sensitivity to smell and touch. Diet, sleep, the menstrual cycle and other factors may trigger migraines. There is no cure, but treatments include medication and non-drug therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback, exclusion diets and meditation.

Migraine is a type of headache and a recognised medical condition. Migraines can be experienced from as little as once or twice a year, or as often as two or three times a week. The pain is severe, throbbing and usually on one side of the head. A migraine attack can last from four hours to three days.

Migraine symptoms are different


A migraine headache has different symptoms to other types of headache. Some of the symptoms include:
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Affected vision, such as an aura
  • Sensitivity to smell and touch.

A combination of triggers


No one really knows what causes migraine. There is some evidence that migraine is an inherited condition. The medical community believes migraine attacks are almost certainly triggered by a combination of factors, such as:
  • Diet - cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, alcohol (especially red wine).
  • Sleep - too little or too much.
  • Menstrual cycle - migraine occurs two to three times more frequently in women than men.
  • Physiochemical - excessive heat, light, noise or certain chemicals.
  • Emotional - stress, excitement and fatigue.
  • Relaxation (weekend migraines) - often triggered by a period of stress and overwork followed by relaxation.

There is no cure


Migraine is a complex condition because the exact causes are not known, which makes prevention difficult. However, there are treatments available to help reduce the number of attacks for migraine sufferers.

In the past pethidine was used to treat a migraine. This is no longer the best treatment. Pethidine is a highly addictive drug and there are now medications available which are far more effective than pethidine.

Type of help available


Migraines vary greatly from person to person and so does the treatment. There are four treatment options available to migraine sufferers:
  • Avoid the trigger factors - this can be difficult, since migraines are often triggered by a combination of factors.
  • Drug treatment - including pain killers and drugs to alter pressure on blood vessels.
  • Preventative treatment - medication taken on a daily basis to reduce the number of attacks.
  • Non-drug therapies - including acupuncture, biofeedback, goggles, hypnotherapy, exclusion diets, relaxation, yoga, meditation, herbal or homeopathic remedies.

Where to get help

Things to remember

  • Migraine is a type of headache and a recognised medical condition.
  • Young female adults are most at risk.
  • There is no cure, but the right treatment can reduce the number of attacks.
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Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: February 2010

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.


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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Headache_migraines?open">Headache - migraines - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Migraine headache is a recognised medical condition. The pain is severe and throbbing, and usually on one side of the head. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, affected vision including seeing 'auras' and sensitivity to smell and touch. Diet, sleep, the menstrual cycle and other factors may trigger migraines. There is no cure, but treatments include medication and non-drug therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback, exclusion diets and meditation.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

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