Migraine

Condition in motion
Life with migraines

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An estimated 39 million
Americans are living with migraines.

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a headache which can cause severe, throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, capable of temporarily disabling even the strongest person.

Healthy Anatomy

The brain is a powerful organ.

It generates thoughts and feelings as electrical brain activity, shields us from pain, and controls just about everything we do.

A strong network of blood vessels is important for healthy brain function, and a rich blood flow provides the brain with oxygen and nutrients.

Tracts in the brain are responsible for carrying information like thoughts, emotions, memories, and sensations from one region of the brain to another.

Nerves emerging from the brain and brainstem help us see, smell, hear, and control certain muscles.

The "Why" behind migraines

Migraines are Complex.

These neurovascular headaches are usually sparked by waves of abnormal brain activity that cause a change in blood flow and stimulate nerves in the brain, resulting in excruciating pain.

The prodrome is the first phase of a migraine and may involve activation of multiple areas in the brain. It can lead to tiredness, mood changes, and food cravings that last for days.

An aura can cause some migraineurs to experience visual hallucinations, like wavy or zigzag lines, bright, flashing lights, and/or blind spots, for up to an hour before a migraine attack.

Chemicals in the brain are believed to be responsible for the "headache" part of migraines. An attack can last for several days as throbbing or pulsing headache, usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

The final phase of a migraine, known as the postdrome, can be just as debilitating as the migraine attack itself. It can leave people feeling fatigued, drained, and "zombie-like" for hours or days.

Most people living with chronic migraines are women.

Chronic migraines are often more severe than episodic migraines.

Episodic migraines can turn into chronic migraines.

Over 4 million adults have chronic migraines, where they experience migraine symptoms on 15 or more days per month, for at least 3 months.

People with episodic migraines experience 0 to 14 headache days per month.

Types of migraines

Episodic vs. Chronic

Living with migraines

Migraine Comorbidities.

People with migraines are more likely to have other health conditions.

People with migraines are at an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease and suffering from a heart attack than people without migraines.

Migraines, especially chronic ones, may predispose people to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic attacks.

Migraines appear to be associated with gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease.

But you can live in a world where migraines don't control your life.

Treatments

Preventive Medications are usually taken every day
                        and prevent a migraine from happening.

They reduce how often people get a migraine, how severe it is, and how long each attack lasts.

Abortive Medications are taken in the early phases of a migraine
                        as soon as the person feels symptoms coming on.

They work to reduce or stop migraine-associated pain and related symptoms after they start.

Rescue Medications 
                            are usually taken if abortive medications fail to work or cannot be taken for some reason.

They don't stop a migraine from happening, but help reduce non-headache symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

Preventive Treatments

Abortive Treatments

Rescue Treatments

DIET & EXERCISE

Research suggests that eating a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is beneficial for migraine prevention, and regular exercise can help lower stress, regulate sleep, and reduce how often migraines attack.

TRIGGER AVOIDANCE

Too much stress, skipping meals, strong odors or loud noises, weather changes, and certain foods can trigger the onset of a migraine. Knowing your triggers gives you better control over them.

RELAXATION THERAPY

Research has shown that relaxation techniques, like proper breathing, yoga, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and biofeedback, lower stress and may significantly reduce headache frequency and severity.

Taking back control

Lifestyle Adjustments

Patient-to-Patient

Words of Encouragement from people living with migraines.

MARY, 54

"I found trigger avoidance to be extremely important. I started keeping a close eye on my migraines by writing down everything that caused one in a notebook. My doctor calls it my ‘migraine journal.’ Now, I just avoid my triggers."

JOHN, 37

"Explaining to my friends and family how migraines impact my life brought on relief. I didn’t have to struggle alone anymore. There is great comfort in knowing that loved ones are ready to help, even if it’s just to bring me a cold compress or a glass of water during an attack."

LINDA, 41

"Migraines forced me to rebalance my life. I quickly realized that staying out late, over-stressing myself, and skipping meals created a perfect storm for a migraine to hit. Every time I worry too much over things in life, I am risking another attack."

Life with migraines is not easy, but with the right treatment & positive lifestyle choices, you can break the cycle and take back control of your life.