This document discusses migraine, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headaches. It notes that migraines significantly impact quality of life, with over 25% missing at least a day of work/school and over 30% reducing household productivity. The text describes migraine symptoms like pulsating one-sided headaches along with sensitivity to light and sound. It explains that migraines originate in the brain and involve changes in nerve cell activity and blood flow that can cause visual disturbances and pain. Common types of migraines are also outlined.

1. Dr. Angelo Smith M.D
WHPL

2. Missed ≥ 1 day of work/school 25%
Work/school productivity reduced by ≥ 50% 28%
Did no household work 48%
Household productivity reduced by ≥ 50% 34%
Missed family or social activity 29%
School, Work, and Social Impact in Previous 3 Months

6.  A neurological disorder characterized by hyper
excitability of the nervous system
 You don’t get migraines, you have migraine
 Your body is more sensitive to stimuli that can cause a
headache attack
 Defining characteristics
 Recurrent headache attacks lasting 4-72 hours
 One-sided, pulsating, moderate-to-severe pain
 Presence of 2 of 3 key characteristics: inability to function,
photophobia/phonophobia, nausea/vomiting

10. 1
Migraine originates
deep within the brain
2
Electrical impulses
spread to other regions
of the brain
3
Changes in nerve cell
activity and blood flow
may result in visual
disturbance, numbness or
tingling, and dizziness
4
Chemicals in the brain
cause blood vessel
dilation and inflammation
of the surrounding tissue
5
The inflammation
irritates the trigeminal
nerve, resulting in
severe or throbbing pain

16. Type How
common?
Migraine without aura 70%
Migraine with aura 25%
Migraine variants and
complicated migraine
5%

19.  scotoma (blind spots)
 Fortification (zig-zag patterns)
 Scintilla (flashing lights)
 Unilateral paresthesia/weakness
 Hallucinations
 Hemianopsia (blindness in one half of the
visual field)

25.  Hormonal fluctuation plays an important role in
migraine for many women
 60% of women with migraine experience “menstrual
migraine”
 Headaches are associated with changes in estrogen
levels right before menses and most often occur up
to 2 days before or during menses
 Oral contraceptives may either exacerbate or alleviate
the frequency, severity, and duration of headaches

27.  Menstrual migraine differs somewhat from
other migraine
 Pain may persist longer and be more severe
 Headache attack is more likely to be accompanied
by nausea or vomiting
 Headache occurs more frequently
 Menstrual migraine is more difficult to treat

28.  Recent online survey by NHF showed that
migraine is the most common headache
diagnosis in men (36%)
 Yet, many men do not discuss migraine with
their healthcare practitioners
 Nearly 1/3 of men suffering from headache have
not been diagnosed
 Nearly 1/4 did not visit their doctor because they
felt they should “tough it out”

32.  Relaxation training
 Hypnotherapy
 Biofeedback training
 Cognitive/behavioral management
 Acupuncture
 Nutritional supplements (B2 and others)
 Physical therapy and/or massage