Migraine Headache

Migraine headaches are severe and characterized by severe pain that may last up to several days. Women experience migraine much more often than men. Although the cause(s) of migraine headaches remain unknown, they tend to run in families and may be triggered by a range of factors, including:

- dehydration

- extended travel

- skipping a meal

- erratic sleep patterns

- tension in the head and neck (e.g., as from working long hours at a computer)

- overall stress or tension

- flickering lights or bright sunlight

- loud or sudden noises

- strong odours

- certain drugs (e.g., SSRIs, beta-blockers, amitryptaline)

- (depending on the individual)

- certain foods or beverages, including chocolate, coffee, wine or citrus.

Hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy and menopause may also cause or intensify migraine episodes.

Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis

Migraines are sometimes be preceded by an "aura", which consists of one or more visual disturbances that that occur up to 24 hours before migraine onset. Auras may include eye pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or seeing lines, lights or other such hallucinations. However, many people experience migraine without an aura.

Other symptoms that may herald the onset of a migraine, with or without aura, include general fatigue and irritability, vomiting, chills, nausea and loss of appetite.

For people susceptible to migraines, the headaches often occur in the same place and have the same pattern of onset. Migraine pain often starts as a dull, localized pain, typically behind one or both eyes or in the back of the neck. The pain intensifies and may last from hours to days. Sensitivity to light and sound often accompanies a migraine attack.

How to Treat Migraine Headache

If you are susceptible to migraines, try to identify and avoid your triggers. Keeping a diary of symptom occurrence, severity and possible related dietary, hormonal and sleep patterns may help.

Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, may relieve symptoms. If not, your doctor may be able to prescribe another medication that may be taken when you have the first warning signals of a migraine attack.

Netpharmacy sells these medications to relieve symptoms of migraine headache:

Painkillers

Nurofen Migraine Pain (12 Caplets)

Panadol Night (20 Caplets)

Panadol Extra (16 Caplets)

Nurofen Plus (24 Tablets)

Nurofen Liquid Capsules (30 Capsules)

Paramax (10 Tabs) 

Mersyndol (20 Tablets) 

Panadeine Plus (12 Caplets)

Panadeine (24 Tablets)

Panadeine (24 Caplets)

Natural Relief

Naturopharm Headmed Relief (120 Tabs)

Migrastick for Migraines (3 ml)

Thompsons Botanicals Migracare

Clinicians Migradol (90 Caps)

Clinicians Magnesium Aspartate (90 Caps) 

Thompsons Organic Magnesium (120 Tabs) 

Solgar Magnesium Citrate (60 Tabs)

Solgar Magnesium Citrate (120 Tabs)

Blackmores Bio Magnesium (50 Tabs)

Thompsons Organic Magnesium (50 Tabs)

See Your Doctor

If you have (or suspect you have) a migraine headache that is unrelieved by non-prescription medication, or if you have a migraine headache that does not respond to treatment that previously relieved symptoms, see your doctor.

If you have any of the following symptoms, see your doctor immediately:

- Dizziness or loss of consciousness

- Changes in vision, speech, or the ability to balance or move

- A headache that begins suddenly and/or worsens when you lie down

- A headache that is more severe than ever before

Your doctor may require that you undergo testing to rule out serious conditions such as stroke or intra-cranial haemorrhage.

Helpful Links

Migraine - Everybody.co.nz

NZ Migraine Sufferers Support Group - Migraine.co.nz

Migraine Headache - MayoClinic.com