On the whole head

"It covers all of a sudden, and then with savage brutality increases with each passing minute: throbbing, pressing, and not for a moment does not leave alone. From that pain is no salvation "- Pontius Pilate moaned in Bulgakov's novel. But we will try to find it on the council!

Our expert PhD, neurologist, assistant professor of clinical neurology fundamental SMU Irma Shetova.

Women's complaints of a headache almost every man finds the typical "excuse" helping the ladies to take time off from household chores, unpleasant conversations or execution of conjugal duties. If only our second half know they are unjust to us! Scientists have shown that women who suffer migraines three times more frequently than men!

The weakness of the fairer sex

It is estimated that every fourth woman is familiar with this disease. And whatever the men grumbled about the notorious simulyantok, we have good physiological reasons to believe that our share much heavier than men.
The main fact is that women have a lower pain threshold. Although we are accustomed to thinking for a long time in another way, science can not be fooled: experimentally proved that nature has made us more sensitive to pain. Just a lady patient, that's why and it turns out this confusion.

The second factor - the deficit. Sadly, but in the female brain contains less neurohormone serotonin, which is also called hormone of happiness. This explains the fact that depression is more likely to suffer a fine half of mankind. And more recently, it was found out that serotonin has also analgesic properties. And because we do not have enough of the substance, that's the result!

But that's not all. The main contribution made by female hormones. It is known that before puberty headaches boys and girls are affected almost equally, but only in those and other hormonal changes going on, the picture changes dramatically. From this moment for years to come, many girls become hostages of migraine. So it would be nice if our dear man did not hesitate to show their sympathy for the second half and did not forget to make allowances for the fact that we are really the weaker sex!

Migraine is a genetic disease and is often inherited (usually part of the mother). Unfortunately, to get rid of this disease completely is impossible, but with appropriate treatment can reduce the number and aggressiveness of its attacks. But first you need to find out whether it is a migraine.

The appearance of the aura

There are over a hundred types of headaches. The most common tension headache - it affects 60-70% of people. As a rule, it spreads all over the head, squeezing the other, like a hoop. This symptom is most likely to occur as a result of emotional, physical or mental overload. About 10% of people experiencing secondary headaches provoked by various diseases: atherosclerosis, increased intracranial pressure, hypertension, brain concussion, tumors, meningitis, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and so on. D. Eliminate such pain can only be cured the underlying disease. The remaining 15-20% of today belong to our main character - a migraine.

The pain in this case - the throbbing, often concentrated in one half of the head, it is often accompanied by nausea, light and phonophobia, intolerance of odors, and so on. D. Also, during the attack, often before his eyes blurred bright circles - so-called "migraine aura", and these moments may even be lost sight in one eye. If the pain is stress can torment a man all day, it appears as migraine attack: there is suddenly growing by the minute, and suddenly disappears in English, so that one day unexpectedly announced again. The average attack lasts up to 12 hours, if no action is taken.

Migraine is generally a diagnosis of "exclusion". After all, it is necessary to first make sure that there are no other causes of headache. Here to help can come to such methods of additional examination as computer and magnetic resonance imaging (CT and MRI), ultrasound vessels in the brain, electroencephalography (EEG).

Climax as gift

Often the first attack of migraine accounts for menarche - first menstruation in a woman's life. But the main period of the disease accounts for working age - 30-40 years. By the way, there is a close relationship between the phase of the menstrual cycle and the frequency of headaches. Basically migraine attacks plagued the fairer sex (especially those who do not know firsthand what the premenstrual syndrome) about a week before menstruation. There is, incidentally, a special kind of disease - a true menstrual migraine. It only occurs 1-2 days before menstruation and never at any other time. Seizures lasting and very strong. This painful disease treated with antimigraine drugs, and if they do not help, connect hormonal medication.

During pregnancy, in most cases, migraine disappears. However, after the birth, alas, back again. But some women illness, on the contrary, will make its debut during pregnancy, usually during the first two trimesters. It was only with the onset of menopause - the next and last in a woman's life hormonal changes - half martyrs migraine finally goes.

A side effect of Botox

Humbly endure cramping, aching head in half, without resorting to painkillers - pure masochism. And it is harmful. Therefore it is better not to wait until the pain will make you like Pontius Pilate "cowardly to think about the poison", and immediately, as soon as before the eyes glimmer "migraine aura", take a pill. When sporadic attacks help nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

But with frequent migraines conventional analgesics do not act - in this case, a special class of drugs - triptans (sumatriptan, eletriptan, zolmitriptan) - drugs from the group of ergotamine. But you can only take them after experts found that deals with this type of pain. The dosage regimen and selects the physician.

Not so long ago the German cosmetologists, performing Botox injections, accidentally discovered side effect in patients for the duration of the drug (which is 3 months) have disappeared not only wrinkles but also headaches. Experts from the German Society for the Study of migraine headaches and is now hoping to create a tablet with botulinum toxin for the treatment of chronic migraine.

We are cheerful, happy!

But drugs can not do. It is known that can trigger migraines :

● excess or deficiency of physical activity,
● psychological fatigue, stress (migraine prefer overly responsible and conscientious people, who are in constant mental strain)
● lack of sleep, and material transfer,
● hypoxia (lack of fresh air)
● hormonal drugs
● smoking,
● alcohol abuse,
● eating certain foods. For example, known to many "migraine gourmet" often occurs after heavy feasting. Among the foods 'high risk': alcoholic beverages (especially red wine), coffee, cheese, vinegar, chocolate, citrus fruits, pizza, and monosodium glutamate (found in most fast food).

The task of the doctor - to identify all risk factors and to teach the patient to avoid dangerous moments.

Source

Industry News

Go back to the main page