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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Migraine In Elderly?

I am a 52 year old woman, lately I am exhausted after being awake for about 4-5 hours. I am not depressed, sleep well at night, don t drink or smoke, don t work(retired), used to exercise daily until about 6 weeks ago, did no socializing over the holidays because I ve been so tired, my thyroid was checked in August because the doc thought it was enlarged but the test came back that it was fine, just had my furnace checked and it is fine (I have C02 detectors on each floor they were not signalling, I take Dexilant for reflux daily other than that I am prescription free. I do suffer from Migraine, having them frequently with inclement weather. I have also had bright flashes of light, saw an optometrist, he saw nothing but referred me to an ophthalmologist, who informed me there was nothing except migraine. Apparently I have had fibromyalgia for about 10 years, I don t take any treatment as the injections made me too euphoric combined with crashing periods. I have very little family background info. Can you help?
Wed, 29 Apr 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,

It could be migraine or tension headache for which you consulted opthlamologist but can you tell me since how many days you are facing this headache?Do you have any other symptom apart from headache?Have you tried any medication and if yes, was it relieved by medication?

Tension headache is a primary or simple headache caused by some precipitating or triggering factor which is relieved by OTC analgesics
(ibuprofen,naproxen,diclofenac) and eliminating this triggering factor.

Tension headache may last for few hours to some days depending on triggering or precipitating factor like heavy sunlight exposure,sleep deprivation,wrong or uncomfortable posture,eye strains,stress,long working hours in one position etc.

Now,Migraine is a recurrent headache associated with nausea,vomiting or photo-phobia.
Generally it occurs at only one side of head and characterized by pulsating over head and generally not relieved by OTC analgesics.

You are a likely to be having a migraine as it is accompanied by photophobia or other symptoms in your case.

Take OTC analgesic which suits you and take bed rest or sleep with muscle relaxant and antacid if gas trouble.Try to avoid contact with triggering factor.

If it is not relieved in-spite of taking treatment then you can see neurologist and undergo clinical examination, routine blood investigations,electroencephalogram or CT brain but only after neurologist advise.

However,in more than 90% cases, all of above investigations comes normal.

Thanks and Regards,
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What Causes Migraine In Elderly?

Hi, Welcome to health care magic, It could be migraine or tension headache for which you consulted opthlamologist but can you tell me since how many days you are facing this headache?Do you have any other symptom apart from headache?Have you tried any medication and if yes, was it relieved by medication? Tension headache is a primary or simple headache caused by some precipitating or triggering factor which is relieved by OTC analgesics (ibuprofen,naproxen,diclofenac) and eliminating this triggering factor. Tension headache may last for few hours to some days depending on triggering or precipitating factor like heavy sunlight exposure,sleep deprivation,wrong or uncomfortable posture,eye strains,stress,long working hours in one position etc. Now,Migraine is a recurrent headache associated with nausea,vomiting or photo-phobia. Generally it occurs at only one side of head and characterized by pulsating over head and generally not relieved by OTC analgesics. You are a likely to be having a migraine as it is accompanied by photophobia or other symptoms in your case. Take OTC analgesic which suits you and take bed rest or sleep with muscle relaxant and antacid if gas trouble.Try to avoid contact with triggering factor. If it is not relieved in-spite of taking treatment then you can see neurologist and undergo clinical examination, routine blood investigations,electroencephalogram or CT brain but only after neurologist advise. However,in more than 90% cases, all of above investigations comes normal. Thanks and Regards,