Migraine

What is Migraine?

Who gets it?

What are its symptoms, how is it diagnosed, and how is it treated?

Are you or your loved ones looking for answers about this condition? We are here to provide you with the most reliable information.

There are many stigmas about migraine, such as the misconception that it is “just a headache” and therefore not a serious condition. In reality, migraine is a neurological disorder with a genetic basis. It affects every person differently, which means the severity of the disease can vary. For some, migraine attacks occur rarely, while for others they may be frequent and significantly disrupt daily activities. Advising someone to simply “pull yourself together” or “distract yourself with other thoughts” is never the right approach.

Migraine is a very common disorder. In Uzbekistan, it affects 1 in 5 women, 1 in 16 men, and even 1 in 11 children. Women are about three times more likely than men to experience migraine attacks, most likely due to hormonal differences.

Both genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of migraine. For example, if one parent has migraine, the child’s risk of developing it is about 50%. However, while migraine has a genetic basis, it is not a fully inherited disease.

If you have migraine, there may be specific triggers that provoke attacks. However, having an attack does not mean it is your fault or that you should feel guilty about your symptoms.

Common migraine triggers include:

• Hormonal changes, especially fluctuations in estrogen levels during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
• Certain medications and alcohol.
• Excessive caffeine intake.
• Stress.
• Sensory stimuli such as bright lights or strong odors.
• Poor sleep quality.
• Weather changes.
• Skipping meals.
• Even consuming expired foods can trigger attacks.

The most common symptom of migraine is severe, often unbearable headache. It can be so intense that it significantly affects daily activities. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. However, symptoms vary from person to person.

Some individuals experience prodrome symptoms (warning signs) before an attack, known as aura. These may include:

• Constipation,
• Mood changes,
• Food cravings,
• Neck stiffness,
• Increased urination,
• Frequent yawning.

Unfortunately, many people do not realize these are early warning signs of a migraine attack.

About one-third of migraine sufferers experience aura before or during an attack. Aura usually involves visual disturbances but can also include other neurological symptoms. During aura, people may see geometric shapes, bright spots, or flashing lights, and some may even experience temporary vision loss. Others may feel tingling or numbness on one side of the face or body. After the attack, people often feel extremely fatigued or confused — this stage is called postdrome.

Diagnosis of migraine is mainly clinical, based on patient-reported symptoms. This means doctors rely on the symptoms described by the patient, as there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests to confirm migraine. If you experience headaches associated with light sensitivity, nausea, and interference with daily activities, you may have migraine.

Treatment depends on the severity and frequency of attacks.

• For patients with infrequent attacks, medications are prescribed only during attacks to stop them.
• For others, both preventive and acute treatments are necessary. These may include daily oral medications or injections given monthly or every three months. With the right medications and lifestyle adjustments, people with migraine can greatly improve their quality of life.

Five key lifestyle strategies to reduce triggers and manage migraine:

1. Improve sleep quality — keep a consistent sleep schedule, avoid gadgets before bedtime.
2. Stay physically active — choose enjoyable activities; start once a week and gradually increase to 2–3 times weekly.
3. Eat a healthy diet — drink more water, eat at least three balanced meals daily.
4. Keep a migraine diary — record attack days and symptoms to share with your doctor.
5. Manage stress — minimize stress levels and avoid triggers whenever possible.

Migraine attacks can severely affect work and daily life. Therefore, it is important to change the misconception that migraine is “just a headache.” It is a neurological disorder with a genetic basis. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, do not dismiss them with thoughts like “I’m fine” or “It will go away.” Instead, seek medical advice promptly. Put yourself first during an attack and make lifestyle changes to help reduce their frequency.

If you want to learn more about migraine, visit AkfaMedline.org for full information.

Your health matters to us.