Headache and Migraine introduction
At The Health Equation, we address a wide range of headache and migraine types, including:
- Migraine without aura
- Migraine with aura
- Chronic Migraine
- Primary stabbing headache
- Tension Type Headache (TTH)
- Headaches secondary to mechanical and muscular issues with the neck and upper back
- Facial pain such as Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Headache of sexual activity
- Headaches related to vasodilators like Viagra and Cialis
- Headache secondary to hypertension
- Headache attributed to substance use or withdrawal (Medication overuse headache MOH)
- Headache due to dehydration
- Stress-induced headache
- Headaches secondary to eye problems
- Headaches secondary to raised blood pressure
- Headaches secondary to blood glucose dysregulation
It’s important to note that there’s often overlap between these categories. The labels serve as descriptions of headache patterns or distributions, rather than definitive medical diagnoses. Our integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment focuses on evaluating symptoms and underlying factors to address the root causes, not just symptom management. While complete symptom elimination may be challenging, our goal is to reduce the severity, intensity, or frequency of migraines through both conventional and complementary medicine interventions.
Headache and Migraine introduction
Migraine
Migraine stands as one of the most prevalent human diseases, characterized by its chronic nature and hereditary predisposition, which heightens sensitivity within the nervous system over time. While headaches are a primary symptom, migraines also encompass a myriad of other manifestations, impacting daily functioning with variable intensity. The condition’s etiology remains elusive, though it’s believed to stem from abnormal brain activity affecting chemical pathways, blood vessels, and neural signals.
As our understanding of migraine’s pathophysiology deepens, it becomes evident that this neurological disorder entails recurrent episodic attacks, rather than merely sporadic headaches. With a global prevalence of approximately 1 in 7 individuals, migraines afflict 15% of the UK adult population, contributing to over 100,000 absences from work or school daily.
Migraine exhibits a notable gender disparity, affecting women two to three times more frequently than men, with a lifetime prevalence of 33% in women and 13% in men. While it can manifest at any age, migraine is most common between 25 to 55 years, with around 8% of sufferers experiencing chronic migraine.
The economic impact of migraine on the UK economy is substantial, amounting to £8.8 billion annually in lost productivity. Additionally, various medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, PoTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), and sleep apnea, heighten susceptibility to migraines.
Moreover, about two-thirds of individuals with chronic migraine endure medication overuse headache (MOH), a phenomenon where the excessive use of acute treatments like triptans or over-the-counter painkillers leads to daily headaches, exacerbating rather than alleviating symptoms.
Below is a slide from the Association of Migraine Disorders, showing the many conditions associated with Migraine
