What to do about migraines?

Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Migraine is a very common neurological disorder, generally related to dysfunction in vascular contraction and expansion, abnormal neurotransmitter secretion in the brain, and trigeminal nerve dysfunction. If a patient experiences recurring headaches, they can visit the department of neurology for a comprehensive examination using cranial CT or MRI. Once intracranial organic diseases are ruled out, a diagnosis of migraine can generally be confirmed, and related treatment can be administered. If a patient experiences frequent headaches, but they are not severe, long-term oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine can be prescribed, typically for a course of at least 28 days. If the headaches are severe but occur less frequently, temporary oral administration of pain relief medication may be recommended, commonly using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Which area is moxibustion applied for migraines?

Migraines can be relieved through moxibustion by targeting specific acupoints to alleviate headache symptoms. Firstly, local acupoints can be selected; for migraines, you can use the Ah-Shi points, and also massage points such as the temples, Si Zhu Kong, Jiao Sun, Shuai Gu, and Feng Chi. Additionally, based on differential diagnosis, distant acupoints may be chosen. For instance, if the migraine is caused by external pathogens, add Feng Chi and Feng Fu points. If caused by phlegm and turbidity disturbances, add Feng Long and Zu San Li to clear phlegm and reduce turbidity. For migraines due to deficiency of qi and blood, add Qi Hai, Xue Hai, and Zu San Li to nourish yin and replenish qi, with the aim of treating deficiencies and alleviating pain.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to treat migraines

The incidence of migraines is still very high, and the pain can be quite severe, affecting patients' work and daily life, preventing them from resting well. The main treatments include the following: First, maintain the patient's emotional stability and keep the patient calm, avoiding strong lights and loud noises as much as possible to create a quiet environment. Second, administer oral non-steroidal analgesics for pain relief, or take ergot preparations for pain relief. Third, patients sometimes exhibit obvious anxiety and can take benzodiazepines for related treatment, as well as certain anti-anxiety medications. Fourth, if the patient experiences nausea and vomiting, symptomatic treatment should be given, including antiemetic medications. If the patient has frequent episodes, prophylactic treatment with receptor blockers can be used.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What should I do if I always have migraines?

Migraine is a disease that severely affects quality of life. During a migraine attack, patients experience moderate to severe headaches, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and daily life is severely affected. Activities such as climbing stairs can progressively worsen the headache. If migraines occur frequently and severely affect daily life, it is advisable to undergo preventive treatment. Preventive medications primarily fall into three categories: the first category includes receptor blockers, the second category consists mainly of anti-epileptic drugs, and the third category comprises calcium channel blockers. These medications can effectively prevent the onset of migraines and can be taken under the advice of a doctor. Additionally, it is important to maintain a stable mood and ensure adequate sleep to prevent the onset of migraines.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How long will it take for the migraine to get better?

Migraine is very prevalent among young and middle-aged people, with sufferers usually experiencing unilateral, though sometimes bilateral, pulsating headaches. These may accompany a sensitivity to light and sound, along with significant nausea and vomiting. Typically, migraines resolve within 4-72 hours, meaning recovery generally occurs within three days. If it doesn’t resolve within three days, it’s referred to as a status migrainosus. During an acute migraine episode, it is important to rest, ensure adequate sleep, consume more fruits, and take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment. Specific pain relievers such as triptans may also be used, and concurrent complications should be addressed. Furthermore, if migraines recur frequently, prophylactic treatment with medications like beta-blockers may be considered. (Please consult a professional physician before taking any medication.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What causes migraines with nausea?

Patients with migraines often experience significant nausea and vomiting, which is also an important diagnostic criterion in the diagnosis of migraines. The reason migraines cause nausea is primarily due to abnormalities in the trigeminal ganglion of migraine sufferers. These impulses may be transmitted to the solitary nucleus in the brainstem, which is mainly responsible for some autonomic nerves and closely related to vomiting. When the solitary nucleus is affected, obvious vomiting naturally occurs. Many migraine patients find that their symptoms are somewhat relieved after vomiting. The main treatment for migraine-induced vomiting is to have the patient rest quietly and take appropriate pain relief medication. If vomiting is pronounced, it is recommended that the patient take antiemetic drugs orally, preferably by muscle injection, which generally provides quick symptom relief.