Half of the Argentine population suffered at least one episode of headache in the last year and in one of every 10 people that pain is linked to migraine , according to the first study on the prevalence of migraine in the country, carried out by the Polyarchy consultant with specialists from the Argentine Neurological Society (SNA).
For the study (carried out between March and April of this year), 2,500 people were surveyed who responded to the MS-Q (Migraine Screen Questionnaire), a simple internationally validated questionnaire, which consists of the following questions:
1. Do you have frequent headaches?
2. Do your headaches usually last more than 4 hours? (without taking painkillers)
3. Do you feel nauseated when you have a headache?
4. Does light or noise bother you when you have a headache?
5. Does the headache limit your physical or intellectual activities?
9.5% of those consulted answered affirmatively to at least 4 questions, for which they were considered migraineurs.
Meanwhile, for those who have doubts about whether the symptoms they present may indicate a migraine, a Headache Pre-Diagnosis Test developed by members of the Headache Working Group of the Society of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery of Chile is available online.
It consists of 8 questions with multiple response options that investigate how long the symptoms have been manifesting, how often they appear, their duration, where in the head they occur and the impact on quality of life, among other issues.
The test, they clarify, serves to guide but does not replace consultation and professional care , since only the doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.
In this sense, from the SNA they maintain that the first measure that those who experience symptoms compatible with a migraine should follow is to consult a doctor, since “the professional is the one who will know if a preventive treatment is recommended or not, and what medication to use. ”.
And they specify that their visit is recommended in cases of recent headaches; if there is a new pain added to the previous one; if the previous headache changes in frequency or intensity; if it feels like the worst pain of life , if one or more symptoms are added to the headache (problems with vision, muscle strength, sensitivity, difficulty speaking, vertigo); against the need to take more than four analgesics in a month to control the headache and if the pain is triggered by exertion (physical activity, sexual activity, cough).
In addition, they point out the following measures linked to lifestyle that can help avoid attacks:
✔️ Physical Activity: It ‘s a headache trigger in some people with migraine. However, in other cases it can represent a benefit. Keeping a routine is always recommended.
✔️ Stress management: different relaxation techniques practiced daily such as diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, mindfulness, among others have been shown to reduce the days or severity of migraine.
✔️Keep a record of your headaches: monitoring the characteristics of the attacks, their evolution, response to treatment and triggers is recommended. There are several applications that facilitate registration. One of them is “MIGRAINE BUDDY” that allows you to record time, frequency, intensity and triggers of migraine.
✔️Regularization of sleep: it is recommended to take regular periods of sleep. Excess or deprivation of sleep for prolonged periods can be a trigger for headaches.
✔️ Keep a good control of associated diseases: depression, anxiety and obesity can be associated with a worsening of migraine, treating them properly decreases the recurrence of crises.
✔️ Food: It is important to avoid prolonged fasting, eat every three or four hours during activity and maintain adequate hydration. It must be taken into account that if the migraine episode was associated with any food, alcohol, or caffeine, its intake should be stopped at other times.
✔️ Medication abuse headache: Excessive use of painkillers is associated with migraine crises. It is defined in this way when simple analgesics are taken more than 15 days a month continuously or more than 10 days of ergotamines, triptans or combined analgesic drugs, in both cases for three months or more, with a direct relationship between excessive use medication and worsening pain.
