Migraine is an attack-like headache that recurs at irregular intervals. The headache is pulsating, throbbing or stabbing and often occurs on one side of the head. Migraine attacks last from a few hours to three days. The pain is usually accompanied by vegetative symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, noise and light shyness and hypersensitivity to noise and smells. About 10 percent of the world's population suffers from migraine, or about 758 million people. 1.7 to 4 % of them have a migraine attack on more than 15 days a month. In Germany, about 10 to 30 % of the population is affected by recurring headaches. Among them, about 15 % suffer from the special form of migraine with aura. Women are affected by migraine about three times more often than men.
Overall, headache is one of the most common complaints for which patients consult us as general practitioners. Just over half suffer from a tension-type headache, 38% from migraine and the rest from a headache that is actually caused by a disease. One has to distinguish a headache that is triggered by chronic use of medication. This can be very similar to migraine.
Certain internal and external factors, so-called triggers, can promote a migraine with a corresponding predisposition. For example, changing sleep-wake rhythm, hormonal changes during the cycle, stress in the form of physical or mental stress, but also with certain foods such as chocolate or red wine.
Make an appointment at one of our Avi Medical practices. With the help of a structured conversation, a pain diary and a clinical examination, we will try to isolate the type of headache and initiate the right therapy in case of a typical migraine. Everyone has individual trigger factors that can trigger a migraine attack. These must also be clarified by means of a detailed medical history.
