Headaches are one of the problems experienced in society with a frequency of up to 90%. 90% of these pains are migraine and tension headaches. While the age range in which migraine is most severe was found to be 20-60, it was observed that the intensity and frequency of pain decreased in patients after the age of 60. In 10-15 percent of all migraineurs, the disease begins in childhood. The incidence of migraine in childhood is 3-5 percent. This figure increases to over 10 percent after adolescence. Children with sleep disorders, difficulty sleeping, vomiting for no reason, allergies, and car sickness are more likely to develop migraine in the future.
Migraine is more common in women than in men. This is because; These are the changes that occur in women's hormonal levels. It is stated that the decrease in migraine attacks in menopausal women and pregnant women is due to its relationship with hormonal changes.
In case of very common headaches, an evaluation by a doctor must be made. If the pain is continuous and increasing in intensity, if the age is under 10 or over 50, if the severity and shape of the previously existing pain has changed, if it does not respond to treatment, if the pain has occurred during a physical activity (lifting a heavy load, sexual intercourse) and has increased in severity. If it has increased, it is necessary to go to a doctor, even if it has been diagnosed before.
Migraine is a disease that decreases with age. In headaches that start at older ages, it should first be investigated whether there is an underlying cause. It may start in older ages at a rate of 2%. Two diseases that start at an older age and cause headaches are temporal arteritis (headache due to inflammation of a specific vessel) and hypnic (night) headaches. For this reason, if a patient over the age of 50 has new headaches, a doctor should be consulted.
The International Headache Society has classified headaches into 14 main groups and hundreds of subgroups. Headaches that occur directly with the headache picture and are not related to another disease are primary headaches. These are migraine, tension type and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches, which occur at a rate of 10 percent, are caused by a certain disease. These are headaches that occur during the course of diseases such as cerebrovascular diseases, nervous system diseases, brain tumors, eye diseases, sinusitis and meningitis.
What is the difference between migraine and headache?
In migraine, the pain can be felt before the pain (aura type), it comes as an attack and the pain lasts between 4-72 hours. It may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, discomfort is felt from light, sound and smell, and the pain increases with head movements or physical activity. Characteristics of tension type headaches: There is no aura, its duration may be longer, it is possible to last up to 1 week and 15 days. It covers the entire head and is effective on the crown. It spreads from the back of the head to the front, it is usually bilateral but may also be unilateral. Nausea may occur, but vomiting is not observed. Movement does not increase the pain. Tension-type headaches are usually caused by stress.
Types of Migraine
Migraine is divided into two groups: migraine with aura and migraine without aura. Only 10 percent of migraines have aura. Aura is a preliminary symptom of migraine. It takes about 30 minutes, then the pain begins. Most aura symptoms are vision related. The patient reports seeing bright lights, zig-zag lines, blurred vision, or loss of vision in one area or area. Additionally, numbness in the arms and legs, dizziness, speech disorders, and bad smells may also be observed.
The cause of migraine
Although the cause of migraine is not fully explained, researchers think that blood vessels and brain cells interact in some way and cause migraine. In genetically predisposed people, environmental factors such as stress, anxiety, insomnia, hunger, certain foods, as well as hormonal changes, create an activation in the brain. This activation causes the brain vessels to expand and chemicals are released. These cause pain by stimulating the nerves.
Factors that trigger migraine
-
Altitude changes
-
Air pollution, cigarette smoke
-
Bright light or flickering light
-
Loud and continuous noise
-
Perfume smell, other strong odors and chemicals
-
Changes in weather (change in pressure, temperature and humidity, southwest wind)
-
Seasonal changes (autumn and spring and seasonal transitions)
-
Hunger, skipping meals
-
Sleeping too much or too little, disorders in sleep patterns
-
Air travels
-
Birth control pills
-
Hormonal changes in women (menstrual period)
-
Some food and drinks (chocolate, nuts, red wine, etc.)
Many foods are held responsible among the factors that trigger migraine. However, the food that increases migraine pain may be different for each patient. The important thing is for the person to find and discover the substance that triggers the pain. Another method is to have an intestinal sensitivity test and cut out foods to which the intestines are sensitive.
Another important issue in patients with headaches is the medications the patient uses. It should not be forgotten that some blood pressure medications cause headaches. Additionally, in case of increased blood pressure, there may be pain radiating from the neck to the head.
In patients with headache, tension in the neck muscles may also cause headaches. For this reason, it is important to evaluate the neck and neck-shoulder girdle muscles.
Treatment of migraine
The aim of the treatment is to reduce the trigger factors, to reduce the sensitivity in the nervous system and during pain. It is to suppress the events occurring in and around the veins.
Excessive consumption of painkillers by migraine patients cannot relieve the pain over time, so it is recommended not to use excessive painkillers. If the pain has become persistent in patients who previously had periodic pain, the possibility that the patient has used too many painkillers or that there may be underlying psychological reasons should be considered. Therefore, regular follow-up is very important.
Acupuncture: It gives very effective results in both migraine and tension-type headaches. Many studies on this subject have shown that acupuncture can control acute pain and prevent attacks.
Neural therapy: Regulating the nervous system with the injection of local anesthetics. Neural therapy, which has an effective effect, can be used in both migraine and tension headaches.
Ozone therapy: Ozone therapy is one of the treatment methods used in migraine, as in all chronic pain, with its antioxidant and circulatory regulating effect.
Physical Therapy: Superficial and deep heaters and low-frequency current applications help control pain by reducing tension caused by the neck and shoulder girdle muscles, especially in patients with tension-type headaches.
Botulinum Toxin treatment: It is a method that can be used for both migraine and tension headaches and provides relief for 4-6 months with a single application.
Exercise:
strong> Neck and neck shoulder girdle stretching and strengthening, as well as aerobic exercises, contribute to tension headaches and migraines by increasing endorphins.Relaxation exercises: Relaxation training and biofeedback support purposes. can provide results.
Read: 0
