Migraines What Women Need To Know

By Samip Patel, MD

Anne Arundel Medical Center

. http://www.aahs.org/

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Migraines What Women Need To Know

Migraines are a pain to anyone who gets them. But they are particularly so to women. Why? Because women are three times more likely than men to get migraines, and these intense headaches also tend to be more painful and last longer in women. In fact, migraines are one of the leading health problems affecting women, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. That's why learning about migraines is important.

Not a simple headache – Some people get migraines multiple times a week. Others experience them much less often. The headache can last from a few hours to several days. That's a long time to have the severe, debilitating pain of a migraine which can also be associated other incapacitating symptoms, such as nausea; vomiting; and sensitivity to light, sounds or both.

Migraines often occur on just one side of the head. About one in five people who get migraines will have what's called an aura shortly before the attack. Symptoms of an aura include seeing flashing lights or blind spots and having a feeling of numbness or tingling in the face or hands. Women are typically less prone than men to having migraines with an aura.

Relief is possible – One reason women get more migraines than men may involve hormones the headaches often begin around the time of menstrual periods. Pregnancy and menopause can also trigger migraine symptoms. For this reason, an estrogen patch or estrogen pills may be used to help prevent migraines or reduce symptoms once one starts.

Over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may relieve mild migraine pain. If those don't work, a doctor may recommend a prescription medicine. For example, medicines such as triptans and ergot derivatives are used to prevent migraines and to ease symptoms. Some antidepressants can work to prevent migraines, as can some heart medicines and antiseizure drugs.

In addition, migraines are often triggered by foods, too much or too little sleep, bright lights, or skipped meals. Everyday stress is also a common migraine trigger. Keeping a headache diary can help people with migraines identify triggers and avoid them.