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Women and Migraines

Did you know...?

            ...that women are three times more likely to suffer from migraine headaches than men.

            ...that people who suffer from migraines are six times as likely to have a family history of migraines.

            ...that about 1 in every 5 people suffers from migraines.

            ...that 59 percent of women and 70 percent of men who suffer from migraines have never been diagnosed by a doctor.

Women and migraines: No longer a mystery

            Society is beginning to have a better understanding of how migraines can affect a woman’s life. A migraine attack can disrupt your normal routine and interfere with work, family responsibilities, and recreation. It’s important to discuss all your options for controlling your migraines with your doctor. Ask your doctor about using biofeedback and stress management techniques to control your migraines. And you must help your family understand that when mom has a migraine, it’s not a regular headache.

When a woman has a migraine

Warning signs. Migraines usually happen in episodes or attacks. Before a migraine starts, many women report experiencing one or more of these symptoms:

  • Depression
  • An increased sensitivity to odors
  • A stiff neck
  • Fatigue

These warning signs can occur hours or even days before the migraine starts.

·  The aura. About one-third of all women have a visual sensation called an "aura" that accompanies the migraine headache. An aura may happen up to 20 minutes before the migraine, during the actual attack. During an aura, the sufferer:

·  Sees visual patterns or flashing, sparkling images

·  May lose part of her vision field

·  May have double vision, dizziness, loss of coordination, altered sensation, or hearing loss

The migraine. Although most migraine headaches begin in the morning, they can occur at any time of day. For more than half of all sufferers, the pain is focused on one side of the head. A migraine headache usually begins as a dull ache and becomes increasingly more painful within a few hours. If left untreated, a migraine can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours.

Migraine sufferers usually look for a dark, quiet place to weather the headache. An ice pack or a deep sleep may relieve the pain. Although the symptoms of migraine may differ from woman to woman, most sufferers report the following:

  • Moderate to severe pain that throbs and pulsates on one side of the head, and is made worse by even the slightest physical activity
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light and noise

The aftermath. Once the headache is gone, the sufferer tends to feel tired, irritable, and unable to concentrate. Some women report feeling "washed out" or "hung over."

Helping your family and friends understand

Migraine attacks may last anywhere from 4 hours to as long as 72 hours. If you suffer from migraines, you know how they can interfere with your daily activities. When these disruptions occur, it’s easy to blame yourself and feel guilty for all the things you are unable to do for your family, your job, or your friends. Explaining to others what a migraine attack does to your system will help them understand what you’re going through and help you give yourself the time you need to heal.

Share this brochure with those close to you and talk to them about the particular symptoms you experience. Work out a plan for your next migraine, so that you can get the help you need from those around you to get through the episode.

What’s more, you and your family can do much to help you prevent attacks from occurring.

Know your triggers

            The first thing you need to do is determine what triggers a migraine for you. Migraines can be triggered by:

  • Certain foods―aged cheese, alcohol (especially red wine, scotch, sherry, bourbon, and beer), caffeine, chocolate, citrus fruits, food additives (aspartame, monosodium glutamate [MSG], nitrates), and freshly baked yeast breads
  • Emotions―anger, anticipation, anxiety, depression, emotional letdown, exhilaration, excitement, frustration, and stress
  • A change in your eating habits such as fasting, skipping meals, or delaying meals
  • A change in your sleeping habits from sleep deprivation to excessive sleeping
  • Flickering or glaring lights
  • Hormonal changes such as those connected with pregnancy or menstruation
  • Certain medications (your doctor or pharmacist can tell you which ones)
  • Strong odors
  • Smoking or even being around second-hand smoke
  • Strenuous exercise
  • Weather or altitude changes

Keeping a "headache diary" can help you determine what factors in your environment may be triggering your headaches. It’s also important to record what you did to treat the headache and how well it worked.

Change your lifestyle

Once you know what triggers your migraines, you have taken a big step toward controlling them. Modify your lifestyle to avoid those triggers whenever possible. Try to eat and sleep on a regular schedule. Get regular exercise at least three times a week. Avoid smoking which has been known to trigger migraines in some people. Even second-hand smoke can be a trigger.

Getting help from medications

Your pharmacist can advise you on the best over-the-counter medication for you to treat mild to moderate migraine headaches. If you suffer from any of the following your doctor can prescribe medication that will stop headaches once they begin:

  • Severe migraines
  • Headaches that are accompanied by vomiting
  • Headaches that simply don’t respond to lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medications

For those who suffer frequent attacks, doctors can prescribe medications that work to prevent headaches from occurring. Some medications are taken daily to help reduce the number of attacks you have and the severity of the attacks that do come.

More information

There are Web sites that contain useful information on migraine pain:

Or you can call (800) 787-9837 for more information about migraines.

This information is developed and made available by the American Pharmacists Association.

2003 Copyright Pharmacy for Women.com

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