Understanding and Managing Migraines
A migraine is much more than just a bad headache. It's a complex condition that affects up to one in seven people in the UK. Migraines can be a major disruption to daily life, and we understand how debilitating they can feel. We're here to provide professional, accessible advice and a range of products to help you manage your symptoms and get on with your day.
What is a Migraine?
Migraines are typically felt as a throbbing pain at the front or on one side of the head. They often come with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or increased sensitivity to light, sound, and smells. While there's no cure for migraines, but there are things you can do to both prevent and treat them. They can last for several days, and women are three times more likely to get them than men. They are most common from adolescence up to around the age of 50.
Types of Migraine
There are two main types of migraine:
Classical Migraine: This type of migraine starts with a set of warning signs known as an aura. Around one-third of people who get migraines experience an aura, which can include visual problems like flashing lights or blurred vision, or sensations such as numbness and tingling in the neck, shoulders, or limbs. The aura typically lasts for about an hour before the headache begins.
Common Migraine: Unlike classical migraines, these do not have an aura before the headache. However, they often come with other symptoms that occur at the same time as the headache, such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smells.
Some symptoms are associated with both types, including poor concentration, sweating, and feeling hot or cold.
The Stages of a Migraine Attack
A migraine can last anywhere from four hours to three days. Some people may feel tired and weak for up to seven days after the attack has passed. While not everyone goes through all of them, there are five recognised stages of a migraine:
Prodromal (pre-headache): This stage can occur several hours or even days before the headache, with symptoms like changes in mood, energy levels, or appetite.
Aura: Associated with classical migraines, this stage can last from 15 minutes to an hour and includes visual disturbances or physical sensations.
Headache: The main stage, characterised by a pulsating or throbbing pain on one side of the head. This stage can last for up to three days.
Resolution: The attack gradually fades away. Sometimes, symptoms stop suddenly after vomiting. Getting some sleep often helps symptoms ease.
Postdromal (recovery): After the headache has gone, there may be a period of tiredness and weakness.
What Triggers a Migraine?
The exact reasons why migraines occur are not fully understood, but it's believed to be linked to brain function and chemical transmitters. Migraines are often triggered by a variety of factors:
Physical: Strenuous exercise, poor posture, changes in sleep patterns, or long periods of travel.
Emotional: Stress, anxiety, or excitement.
Environmental: Loud noises, bright lights, or certain smells.
Dietary: Certain foods (like cheese or chocolate), inadequate fluid intake, or missing meals.
Medicines: Certain medications like the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
As a registered pharmacist and over-the-counter medicine specialist, Allan Green, suggests: "In my 25+ year's experience, I find patients may find it useful to keep a diary to help identify triggers that cause migraines or make them worse, and avoid these triggers in the future for migraine prevention".
Treating Migraines and Finding Relief
When a migraine strikes, finding relief is the priority. There are several options available to help you manage your symptoms.
Over-the-Counter Medication
Simple painkillers like ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol can be effective. There are also combination medications like Migraleve Pink, which contain a medicine (Buclizine) to help stop the feeling of nausea that can come with a migraine, alongside a regular painkiller. Nurofen Migraine Pain tablets contain Ibuprofen Lysine, a fast acting salt form of Ibuprofen which can be quickly absorbed in the body. Panmigrol tablets combine aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine providing powerful migraine relief.
Pharmacy Treatments
A prescription medication called Sumatriptan is now available to buy under certain circumstances, we stock tablets from MigraKind, Gramegran and Migraitan which contain 50mg Sumatriptan. This can be very effective at stopping a migraine from developing. Sumatriptan is not suitable for everyone and requires a consultation with a pharmacist via a form online. A clear prior diagnosis of migraine is needed, and it cannot be sold to people under 18 or over 65. Prochlorperazine maleate is another anti-sickness and anti-dizziness treatment that works by blocking receptors in the brain responsible for the vomiting reflex, helping to alleviate nausea and vomiting. Almus Migraine Relief tablets and Buccastem M both contain 3mg Prochlorperazine maleate, they are placed high-up along the top gum under the upper lip either side of your mouth and dissolve slowly.
Natural Remedies
Beyond medication, lifestyle adjustments can help to prevent or ease migraines:
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration is a common trigger, so aim for 6-8 glasses of water a day.
Rest: Finding a quiet, dark room to rest in can often help reduce the severity of a migraine.
Use a Compress: A cold pack on the forehead or a warm compress on the back of the neck can provide relief. Kool 'n' Soothe Cooling Strips can provide relief in some circumstances.
Get Enough Sleep: Keeping a regular sleep routine can help to prevent migraines.
Manage Stress: Mindfulness or meditation can help manage stress, a common trigger.
If your migraine attacks are frequent or severe, it's best to speak with your GP, as they may be able to prescribe preventative treatments. The NHS website contains information on when to escalate your treatment from your GP, NHS 111 service and 999.
Find Your Migraine Relief Products at Weldricks
From over-the-counter painkillers to specialist treatments, you can find a wide range of migraine relief products at Weldricks Pharmacy.
