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Suggest Medication For Persistent Headache
Question: Hi, my mother has a history of migraine. I go after her in my traits and I have headaches once in about a month. The trigger is usually something that irritates me accompanied with traffic and loud sounds. I don't take any medication and it subsides after some time. The head ache is not too strong but I like to be left alone during this time. Should I get some checks done for this?
Brief Answer:
No specific evaluation / treatment...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Migraines which are less frequent as in your case doesn't require specific treatment. We recommend migraine prophlactic medications for those occurring frequently say more than thrice a month. Less frequent ones as this one can be managed with abortive agents. You can continue what you are doing and may be pop up a pain killer like brufen or diclofenac.
In simple words, you don't need specific medicines to treat this type of less frequent migraine headaches. You can take a pain medication as and when you feel this headache. However if the headache worsen in intensity or if it becomes more frequent, you should consider prophylactic drugs.
In the meanwhile, it is prudent to avoid those stressors as much as possible. Furthermore, skipping meals and sleep is known to make migraine worse. Sometimes walking under sun could trigger it too; so preferably avoid these trigger too.
Hope this helps. If you need any other suggestions, feel free to ask.
Regards
No specific evaluation / treatment...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Migraines which are less frequent as in your case doesn't require specific treatment. We recommend migraine prophlactic medications for those occurring frequently say more than thrice a month. Less frequent ones as this one can be managed with abortive agents. You can continue what you are doing and may be pop up a pain killer like brufen or diclofenac.
In simple words, you don't need specific medicines to treat this type of less frequent migraine headaches. You can take a pain medication as and when you feel this headache. However if the headache worsen in intensity or if it becomes more frequent, you should consider prophylactic drugs.
In the meanwhile, it is prudent to avoid those stressors as much as possible. Furthermore, skipping meals and sleep is known to make migraine worse. Sometimes walking under sun could trigger it too; so preferably avoid these trigger too.
Hope this helps. If you need any other suggestions, feel free to ask.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for the prompt answer Doctor. I have a follow-up question. Is there a need for me to go for some pre-emptive check-ups to see if I actually have migraine or a similar condition?
Brief Answer:
Migraine is a clinical diagnosis...
Detailed Answer:
Diagnosis of migraine is entirely based on your history. A typical migraine occurs as a throbbing (pulsating) headache; increasing in severity with time; associated with photophobia / phonophobia (sound and lights irritates headache); has nausea and vomiting; etc. Some people are able to predict the headache before it occurs which they call it as aura. And in some people these headache are not easily controlled with simple pain medications. And yes, there can be a family history of migraine.
If your symptoms match these typical features, then we can conclude it as migraine. If you don't have typical features, you can consider a brain CT scan, X-ray Paranasal Sinuses, vision check up, blood hemogram as well as ESR.
In simple words, we can confirm / rule out migraine and other similar conditions through the tests mentioned above after a detailed clinical history done at your physician / neurologist office. Please consider visiting one during an episode of headache.
Hope I am clear.
Regards
Migraine is a clinical diagnosis...
Detailed Answer:
Diagnosis of migraine is entirely based on your history. A typical migraine occurs as a throbbing (pulsating) headache; increasing in severity with time; associated with photophobia / phonophobia (sound and lights irritates headache); has nausea and vomiting; etc. Some people are able to predict the headache before it occurs which they call it as aura. And in some people these headache are not easily controlled with simple pain medications. And yes, there can be a family history of migraine.
If your symptoms match these typical features, then we can conclude it as migraine. If you don't have typical features, you can consider a brain CT scan, X-ray Paranasal Sinuses, vision check up, blood hemogram as well as ESR.
In simple words, we can confirm / rule out migraine and other similar conditions through the tests mentioned above after a detailed clinical history done at your physician / neurologist office. Please consider visiting one during an episode of headache.
Hope I am clear.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My headaches are throbbing and we can say it does increase with time before it subsides after few hours or sometimes after I wake up from sleep. I do get irritated by sound for sure while having these headaches (normally too I would prefer somewhat less noisy surroundings). no nausea or vomiting.
Questions:
Does this conclude migraine? If Yes, what should be my next steps and is it curable or only controllable?
If not, do I need to go through some tests or I am fine without any?
Questions:
Does this conclude migraine? If Yes, what should be my next steps and is it curable or only controllable?
If not, do I need to go through some tests or I am fine without any?
Brief Answer:
Some typical features of migraine
Detailed Answer:
My answers are as follows:
1. There are some typical features of migraine. Given that your mother has similar headache, I can conclude that this is migraine indeed.
2. Migraine is a controllable condition. I wouldn't say it's curable since recurrence can occur following exposure to triggering factors.
3. I don't see requirements for investigation right away. However it would be worthwhile to visit a doctor during an acute headache. He / she can plan scans and baseline blood tests to rule out other conditions. Ruling out other condition is equally important as confirming diagnosis of migraine.
If I am not clear, please feel free to write back.
Regards
Some typical features of migraine
Detailed Answer:
My answers are as follows:
1. There are some typical features of migraine. Given that your mother has similar headache, I can conclude that this is migraine indeed.
2. Migraine is a controllable condition. I wouldn't say it's curable since recurrence can occur following exposure to triggering factors.
3. I don't see requirements for investigation right away. However it would be worthwhile to visit a doctor during an acute headache. He / she can plan scans and baseline blood tests to rule out other conditions. Ruling out other condition is equally important as confirming diagnosis of migraine.
If I am not clear, please feel free to write back.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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