TL;DR:
- Migraine: Neurological disorder with intense headaches, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and hypersensitivity to sounds; affects 15% of the population; women are more prone.
- Diagnosis: Requires 5+ episodes (4-72 hours each), throbbing pain (worsens with activity), nausea/vomiting, and light/sound sensitivity.
- Types: Without aura (70% of cases), with aura (visual disturbances), menstrual, ocular, chronic (15+ days/month for 3+ months), migraines lasting over 72 hours.
- Triggers: Genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, stress, sleep deprivation, poor diet, stimulants, caffeine, hypertension, obesity.
- Treatment: Painkillers (paracetamol, NSAIDs, triptans), antiemetics, preventive (diet, sleep hygiene, physical therapy, acupuncture, medication).
- Botox for Chronic Migraine: Minimally invasive treatment blocks nerve signals, relaxes muscles, lasts up to 6 months, involves at least 31 small injections.
Migraine is one of the more bothersome and common neurological ailments, affecting millions of people around the world – up to 15% of the population. It is a disease that not only causes headache of an extremely intense nature, but can greatly affect the comfort of life and impede daily functioning. It is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia or hypersensitivity to sounds. Despite years of research, the mechanism of migraine is still not fully understood, and its treatment is a challenge for modern medicine. In this article, we will take a closer look at the disease – its symptoms and potential causes, and examine how aesthetic medicine can help alleviate migraine attacks.
Migraine – what is it?
Speaking of migraine, it is worth noting that, contrary to colloquial nomenclature, it should not be equated with every type of headache we experience. Migraine is a type of neurological disorder characterized by spontaneous, paroxysmal headaches of significant intensity. It often co-occurs with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, hypersensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances called migraine aura. The discomfort is usually so severe that it makes it difficult for patients to function normally. Migraine headaches are most often recurrent and are not caused by any other disease. Chronic migraine is said to occur when its symptoms occur for at least 15 days a month over the course of three consecutive months. At this point, the exact cause of this disorder has not been found, nor is there any universal cure for it. ** Interestingly, migraine was probably already studied in ancient times. A description of a similar ailment was created by the disciples of Hippocrates around 200 BC **.
When do we talk about diagnosed migraine?
Migraine is classified in the ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases and Health Problems in Chapter VI on Diseases of the Nervous System. To diagnose migraine without aura, symptoms must meet several criteria:
- the patient experienced at least 5 seizures lasting 4 – 72 hours,
- the headache occurred on one side, was throbbing, and increased with usual physical activity,
- other complaints co-occurred with the pain, including nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia (hypersensitivity to light) and phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sounds),
- no cause for the onset of pain was diagnosed.
Typically, the first migraine pains are experienced before the age of 40, and sometimes as early as childhood (affecting 10% of toddlers in early childhood and about 30% of adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19). According to statistics, this neurological problem affects women much more often than men.
Types of migraine
The basic division of migraine is:
- migraine without aura – the most common – comprises up to 70% of all cases. Its symptoms are a severe headache, sometimes with other symptoms, such as from the gastrointestinal tract,
- migraine with aura – the pain attack is preceded by characteristic binocular visual disturbances – patients describe them as blinking bright spots, blurred outlines, halos surrounding objects or bright zigzags in the visual field. In addition to vomiting, photophobia or hypersensitivity to sounds, migraine may also be accompanied by temporary sensory and speech disturbances, neck stiffness or numbness in the limbs.
Sometimes an additional division of migraine pains into:
- menstrual migraine – occurs only in women, before the expected menstruation, for at least 2-3 consecutive cycles. It is not accompanied by an aura, but the pain is so severe that it can cause nausea, vomiting and photophobia,
- eye migraine – involves short-term visual disturbances in one eye,
- chronic migraine – its symptoms occur for at least 15 days a month for three consecutive months,
- migraine condition – when symptoms last longer than 72 hours.
Migraine – what symptoms can accompany it?
A migraine headache can be associated with various bothersome discomforts, even before the attack itself. Some people may notice one or two days before the onset of a migraine:
- increased irritability, nervousness,
- problems with bowel movements,
- decreased appetite,
- neck and neck stiffness,
- lowered mood,
- visual disturbances typical of auras,
- difficulty speaking properly,
- a tingling sensation in the extremities,
- dizziness.
The migraine attack itself is rather simple to diagnose – the intensity, nature and duration of symptoms depend on the individual case. Most often, patients complain of:
- severe, throbbing pain localized on one or both sides of the head,
- a sensation of "skull bursting",
- nausea, vomiting,
- dizziness, fainting,
- inability to concentrate, to do even simple work,
- visual disturbances, temporary blindness, gloom,
- hypersensitivity to light, sounds, smells,
- nervousness, confusion,
- chills, increased sweating.
In migraines with aura, patients experience flash vision, intense colors, deformation of objects seen, darkening of the visual field, paresthesia and aphasia before the pain. Migraine sufferers describe that any action, even the smallest one, such as moving the eyelids, results in increased pain, rumbling in the head and a sensation of bursting eyes. Migraine attacks can last from 4 to 72 hours, depending on the case. After this time, the patient may continue to experience symptoms – including feelings of fatigue and physical discomfort.
Migraine causes – what can trigger an attack?
As we have already mentioned, today we have not yet learned the specific cause or pathomechanism of migraines. It is considered that it may be the result of an accumulation of genetic and environmental factors. Researchers have come up with two main theories regarding the mechanism of pain – the vascular theory and inflammation of nerve tissue, but these have been disproved in the course of ongoing studies. Currently, it is suspected that neuronal depolarization, activating the pain neurons of the trigeminal nerve, which causes a variety of migraine headache symptoms, may be the trigger for migraine. Another suspect is insufficient levels of serotonin, one of the most important neurotransmitters of the nervous system. In the course of research and observation, it has been noted that although the disease often occurs spontaneously, it is possible to identify several "triggers" that can be linked to migraine attacks. These include:
- genetic burden – it has been shown that if one person in the immediate family suffers from migraine, there is a high probability (2/3 of cases) that children will also be susceptible to the ailment,
- changes in the concentration of female sex hormones,
- chronic stress and exhaustion,
- insufficient sleep,
- inadequate diet, rich in processed foods,
- stimulants – alcohol cigarettes,
- consumption of large amounts of caffeine,
- hypertension,
- obesity,
- diabetes,
- endometriosis.
What is migraine treatment and how does it work?
Once a neurologist has diagnosed a migraine and ruled out other possible diseases or disorders, preventive treatment is most often introduced to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines and emergency treatment – at the time of an attack. Among the medications recommended to relieve bothersome symptoms during ongoing pain attacks are paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and preparations belonging to the triptan group. If vomiting occurs in addition to headaches, the doctor may order the inclusion of oral or intravenous antiemetics. Painkillers should be taken as soon as possible – so that they have time to take effect before the period of maximum discomfort. Unfortunately, at this point no pharmaceuticals are known to help get rid of the problem completely. It is also impossible to predict how often a particular patient will experience recurrence of migraines – sometimes it is even several times a month, and sometimes a few times during a lifetime. Preventive measures are extremely important in the treatment of migraine headaches. It should be of particular interest to patients whose attacks are frequent and very intense. It is worth noting that you have to wait a while for the first effects – first you need to find the right regimen, serving in a particular case, and then be patient and systematic so that it starts to work. What can be used as part of preventive measures?
- Keeping a migraine diary to catch recurring items and find potential triggers for attacks,
- taking care of proper sleep hygiene, rest, stress reduction,
- adhering to a healthy diet, quitting caffeine and stimulants,
- moderate physical activity,
- physical therapy,
- biofeedback,
- acupuncture,
- reflexology,
- meditation and relaxation techniques,
- taking pharmacological agents, including antidepressants, cardiovascular or antiepileptic drugs.
Aesthetic medicine in the treatment of migraines – Botox treatment.
At the OT.CO Clinic, we offer patients a rather innovative solution approved for the treatment of a chronic form of migraine headaches – botoxin. Botox works by blocking the secretion of acetylcholine, which carries signals between neurons, and relaxing selected facial muscles whose spasms cause migraine attacks. The effect lasts for up to six months, and more than half of patients experience complete resolution of symptoms.
The entire procedure takes several minutes, is minimally invasive and does not involve a period of convalescence. After a thorough interview with the patient, the doctor adjusts the appropriate dose of Botox, depending on individual needs. Botulinum toxin is injected into the muscles located just under the skin, using micro-needles, after applying local anesthesia. The injection points are selected to cover the entire head and all nerve endings carrying signals to the inside of the skull. A single session consists of at least 31 injections. Botox acts locally and does not affect the functioning of other muscles. According to the Polish Headache Society and the International Headache Society, Botox treatment is the most effective way to combat chronic migraine. If you are looking for a remedy for bothersome and recurring headaches that hinder your daily functioning – we invite you to learn more about the offer of the OT.CO Clinic and consult with our specialists. We will do everything to help you!
Conclusion
Migraines are more than just headaches—they disrupt lives through pain and sensory overload. This article explored the types, symptoms, triggers, and treatments for migraines, highlighting the challenge of managing this condition. While no universal cure exists, options like medication, lifestyle changes, and innovative solutions such as Botox provide hope. Understanding your triggers and seeking the right treatment is crucial for relief. Advances in aesthetic medicine, including Botox treatments, offer promising results for chronic migraines. Though the journey to relief can be challenging, you don’t have to face it without solutions.
