Migraine is one of the most common headaches. It is a chronic incurable disease, which affects a significant percentage of the population. It is a very relevant cause - the 2 nd most important worldwide - of years lived with disability. It becomes the 1 st cause if only young individuals, under 50 years of age are considered. 1 in 7 adults has migraine; The disease affects women 2 to 3 times more than men; It can start in childhood; It is more that it starts between the ages of 20 and 30; It is rarer from the age of 40. In more than two-thirds of people, a migraine attack , which can last from a few hours to several days, interferes with or prevents normal daily activities and compromises academic or professional performance. Migraine treatment Although migraine is a chronic and incurable disease, there are currently treatments (both prophylactic and symptomatic or crisis) that are effective in minimizing the impact of this disease , relieving pain and improving quality of life. In addition, knowing what triggers the recurrent headache attacks that characterize migraine and controlling these factors (if possible) can help decrease the intensity or even make the attacks less frequent. So, if you have migraines or other recurrent headaches, be sure to seek medical help. When is it necessary to seek medical help? Many people know their headaches well, what causes it and how to control them, without medical help. In other cases, medical care is essential to improve the quality of life. Medical help should also be sought when there are headaches: Different from the usual ones; More serious than usual; That do not improve with the usual treatment; That get worse over a few weeks; That appear suddenly and worsen with movement, coughing or other actions or activities; Associated with nausea, vomiting, weakness, changes in vision, speech or behavior; Associated with head trauma or recent fall; That interfere with work, study, usual activities, and quality of life. Where to start? There are many types of headache , which can have different causes. Therefore, in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder, physicians of different specialties may have to be involved. In the case of migraine, the medical specialty of reference is neurology . It is very important, both in the initial diagnosis phase and for subsequent follow-up, to know the headaches well. The symptoms and characteristics of crisis help to differentiate migraines from other types of headache and to define the best treatment approach. So, even if you know your headaches well, what triggers it and you know how to control it, be sure to keep a record, as it can be very useful if you need medical help. Register your headache The recording of headache attacks helps everyone to get to know their illness better and to describe it in detail when seeking medical care. The register should include: The date and duration of the headaches; Its intensity or impact (what pain prevents from doing); Symptoms that accompany the headache, previous to it or that continue afterwards; The consequences of headache, for example not being able to go to work, having to lie down, having to be in the dark, among others. The medication you usually take and its effect. Register your headaches on MY LUZ and share with your doctor At MY LUZ, your personal area at Hospital da Luz, it is possible to record your headaches on cards already prepared for this purpose that you can share with your doctors at Hospital da Luz during consultations. If you do not have MY LUZ yet, subscribe online here . Author : Raquel Gil-Gouveia, Hospital da Luz Lisboa Headache Centre Meet the neurology team from Hospital da Luz network . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
