Migraines are a generally mis-understood condition. To those who have never experienced them, migraines are synonymous with regular headaches. Unfortunately, migraines are an umbrella term for a range of serious conditions, each with the potential to debilitate a sufferer’s normal way of life. Migraine attacks can last for hours at a time, with disorienting symptoms before and after an attack being triggered by many ‘normal’ stimuli. Migraines are linked with negative mental health symptoms, as their unremitting, chronic nature takes a toll on even the strongest person. Living with Migraines is not easy.
A 2018 study published in Pain Medicine sought to look at how episodic and chronic migraines impact patient’s lives. Let’s take a look at the study in detail.
THE STUDY
Lead researchers Dr Ceylan and Dr Valcin recruited 1,080 migraine sufferers for their study. Episodic Migraineurs (14 or less migraines per month) were separated from Chronic Migraineurs (15 or more migraines per month), and questionnaires were given to assess the various negative effects migraineurs experienced in their daily life. Various metrics were assessed, such as concentration, dizziness, sleep quality and vertigo. Once negative impacts were identified, they were compared amongst the two groups (Episodic vs Chronic migraineurs)
ANALYSIS
The results showed both groups experienced sleep disturbances and concentration problems. There was a higher incidence of these issues amongst chronic migraineurs than episodic migraineurs, as would be expected. Interestingly, those patients who had admitted sleep disturbances and concentration problems were more likely to also experience vertigo, dizziness, loss of pain sensation and cranial nerve problems. This correlation helped the researchers gain new understanding of pathways involved in migraines.
DISCUSSION
Migraines are strongly correlated with poor mental health; especially so for chronic migraine sufferers. Understanding the cascading nature of migraine symptoms is very important for clinicians to try and limit the negative impact migraines can have on people’s lives. This study helped researchers learn how certain migraine symptoms, such as poor sleep and concentration, are themselves triggers for other migraine symptoms, such as vertigo, dizziness and cranial nerve issues. The evolution of migraine symptoms must be a cause of stress and anxiety in any migraineur unfortunate to experience it. This stress and anxiety can itself then trigger migraine attacks. A vicious cycle is clearly evident, with migraines creating the condition for more intense, regular migraines in the future.
‘The best way to see your condition, if you suffer with migraines, is not as a mountain, but as a thousand steps’
FINAL THOUGHTS
The best way to see your condition, if you suffer with migraines, is not as a mountain, but as a thousand steps. Each positive, healthy step you take is one step closer to you taking back power over your own health. A positive mindset is essential. Trying to alleviate simply one symptom of a migraine can create ripples which extend out to your entire condition. Focus on improving your sleep, and you will lower your risk of experiencing vertigo and dizziness. Learn to have a positive outlook on life, and face your condition without anxiety and stress, and you will be less likely to trigger as many migraines in the future. Migraines are difficult, but you have more power to overcome your condition than you realise.
This research will add another piece in the puzzle for clinicians to help create targeted treatments for migraines in the near future. With co-operation between healthcare workers and patients, there is no reason migraines will not eventually become a disease of the past.
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