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Migraine Headache
Thousands of clinical compensation claims are initiated every year in the United Kingdom by medical negligence solicitors on behalf of people from all walks of life. A multitude of operations and procedures are executed successfully however a small percentage do go wrong, laying the grounds for medical negligence solicitors to take legal action in order to claim compensation. Both legal aid and the no win no fee scheme are available to pursue medical negligence compensation claims.
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Migraine headaches are recurrent headaches that can last for a few hours or up to several days. The headache tends to be so severe that all you want to do is to find a dark and quiet place to lie down. Many migraines have no precursor symptoms but some have a sensory warning sign or aura that includes blind spots, flashes of light or extremity tingling. There are medications that can reduce the number and severity of the migraine headaches. You need to keep trying if the first few medications don't make a difference for you.
Migraines tend to begin as early as childhood or as late as early adulthood. The symptoms of migraine headaches include having a moderate to severe pain in the head-usually on one side of the head but it can be on both sides. The headache pulses or throbs and worsens with any type of physical activity. The pain is bad enough to interfere with normal activities and can involve nausea or vomiting. Most people have sensitivity to sound and light and the symptoms last for up to three days. You can have headaches once a week or more or more rarely than that.
Some migraines have auras and others do not. Migraines without auras are called "common migraines" and migraines with auras are called "classic migraines". These terms aren't used that much anymore.
There are prodromal (premonition) symptoms that you can have before a migraine. These are different from auras and include intense feelings of elation or high energy, cravings for sweet foods, fatigue, thirstiness or depression and irritability.
You need to see the doctor or go to the ER if you have the following symptoms: a severe headache that comes on suddenly; a headache following a head injury; a headache with a fever, stiff neck, confusion, rash, seizure, weakness or double vision; a chronic headache worse after exertion, coughing or straining; a new headache after the age of 50.
The exact cause of migraines isn't known. Genetic factors and environmental factors seem to be interactive in causing migraines. Some migraines are related to trigeminal nerve damage or insult. Other migraines may be related to a lack of serotonin levels. It is known that low serotonin levels play a role in the onset of a migraine.
Triggers to a migraine headache can be many. It can be related to the following things:
- Female hormonal changes such as those that occur with the menstrual cycle
- Certain foods such as alcohol, red wine, beer, chocolate, aspartame, caffeine, MSG, aged cheese or salty foods and processed foods.
- Work or home stressors can bring on migraines.
- Sunny days, bright lights, loud sounds and certain odors can trigger migraine headaches.
- Altering the sleep-wake cycle so you get too much or not enough sleep can trigger migraines.
- Physical factors such as sexual activity or physical exercise can cause migraines.
- Changes in bariatric pressure or weather can cause migraine headaches to occur.
- Certain medicines can trigger migraines.
You are more prone to having migraine headaches if you have a strong family history of migraines, are female, are younger than aged 40 or have regular hormonal changes, such as regular menses.
Tests for migraine headaches include having a negative CT scan or MRI scan. A lumbar puncture can be done, which can rule out other medical conditions for these headaches. The history and physical exam are the best way to determine if a headache is of the migraine type.
You can treat migraine headaches with preventative medications and pain medications. If you have a lot of migraines, preventative therapies are perhaps one of the best choices to manage these headaches.
Pain medications can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or NSAIDs. They can be over the counter or prescription-strength headache medication. Triptans are good medications for migraines. They include medications such as Maxalt, Imitrex, Amerge, Zomig and Relpax. While there is a risk for stroke or heart problems with taking these medications, they do have a benefit that outweighs the risk of taking the medicine.
Ergot medications are cheaper but also don't work as well as triptans. They seem to work if the headache has lasted longer than two days. Ant-nausea medications are used to control the nausea and vomiting seen in migraine headaches. They can be given orally, IV or by suppository. Butalbital is used in migraine headaches and is combined with aspirin or Tylenol. It is considered a sedative. Opiate medications are used when the other medications fail to work to control the headaches.
Preventative medications are not taken very often. They include cardiovascular drugs like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Ace inhibitors can be used to prevent migraines. Antidepressants work to block the onset of migraine headaches. Anti-seizure medications including Neurontin and Depakote work to control migraine headaches and cyproheptadine works because it affects serotonin levels in the brain.