Migraine

Question 1

What is a Migraine?

Answer 1

Migraine is a chronic, genetically determined, episodic neurological disorder that usually presents in early-to-mid life.

Question 2

What are the risk factors of a Migraine?

Answer 2

> family history of migraine
> high caffeine intake
> exposure to change in barometric pressure
> female sex
> obesity
> habitual snoring
> stressful life events
> overuse of headache medications
> lack of sleep

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of a Migraine?

Answer 3

> Prolonged headache
> Nausea
> Decreased ability to function
> hedache worse with acitivy
> Sensitivity to light
> aura

Question 4

What is the epidemiology of a Migraine?

Answer 4

Migraine is a highly prevalent condition. Summarising the data from a review of headache and migraine in Europe, on 1-year prevalence, the proportion of adults in Europe reporting migraine is 14% and ‘chronic headache’ (i.e., 15 or more days/month or daily) is 4%

Question 5

What investigations would you do for a Migraine?

Answer 5

> Clinical diagonsis

> Bloods and imaging to rule out other causes

Question 6

What is the management of a Migraine?

Answer 6

> Antiemetic and analgesia (emergency)
NSAIDs, anti emetics, hydration, paracetamol
Triptan
Trigger avoidance

Question 7

What are the complications of a Migraine?

Answer 7

> Status migranosus
> Migrainous infection
> Migraine triggered seizures
> Depression
> Chronic migraine
> Persistent aura without infarction

Question 8

What is the prognosis of a Migraine?

Answer 8

Most patients with episodic migraine do well with treatment. In population-based surveys the frequency of migraine headaches decreases with age.