It is a great chapter in the specialty of Neurology as it is the most common neurological condition that affects everyday life, family and social activities and the quality of life of hundreds of people even at a very young age.
Perhaps it is the oldest neurological disease, as descriptions of symptomatology had been found in texts from antiquity. Unfortunately, it is common this disease to be treated by various medical specialists, who might not always have the expertise to treat cephalalgia.
It is also a fact that a large percentage of patients have never visited a neurologist to seek medical attention. Headache syndromes are varied and a specialist's knowledge is required to make the correct diagnosis and to provide the patient with proper medication.
In regard to headaches in particular, no patient is the same and no one responds in the same way to the treatment, that is why every treatment needs to be personalized.
How is the diagnosis made?
For the diagnosis a complete patient history is required, as well as targeted questions regarding the beginning, the frequency and the characteristics of the headache, a complete Neurological Examination and the use of special questionnaires for headaches.
The total estimate takes at least one hour so as to achieve a proper investigation. The next step includes hematological and biochemical tests and, if deemed appropriate by the expert Neurologist, brain imaging tests with CT or MRI scan.
What is the preventive treatment for migraine?
Preventive treatment targets specific patients with diagnosed frequent attacks and the activity of the disease has been monitored for at least three months by using an appropriate headache diary. Measurement of intensity, frequency, accompanying symptoms, etc., is required. The prophylactic treatment aims to reduce the intensity and the frequency of the migraine, and to improve the patient's quality of life.
Patient-specific pharmaceutics are used, whilst intervening techniques such as botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections and Cranial Nerve Blocks are used in specific cases.
Are there any factors contributing to the development of migraine?
This particular question is difficult to be answered by the scientific community, nonetheless several factors have been pointed out.
There are dietary factors, such as alcohol consumption, dehydration, inappropriate meals, environmental factors, hormonal factors, emotional factors such as depression, anxiety, various medications taken for other diseases such as certain types of antihypertensive drugs, etc.
