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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is there a way to stop chronic migraines?

    Related Topics
    Migraines & Headaches Neurology
    I am suffering from chronic migraines at the moment, every day for about 2 weeks. It is effecting my eyes and I have nausea. Is there anything I can do to help cope with the systems as I have to work?
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  • Mark McHugh

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    There are a few tools with a vast degree of research that have been used in the reduction and treatment of chronic migraines. The use of both hypnotherapy and mindfulness in the reduction and also the improvement of well-being with people with chronic migraines is suggested. Also an improvement within this condition has been linked with more physical exercise. Things like the use of yoga can improve this and also possibly some behavioral modification, in terms of stress reduction, as well.

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  • Dr Jeffrey Hannah

    Chiropractor

    Firstly, I would want to know the cause of those migraines.  Are they brand new (ie just coming on in the past 2 weeks), or is there a much longer history there?

    Assuming the latter, migraine headaches may be related to several factors including chemical imbalance (hormones, diet, water, etc), physical stressors (sleeping with more than 1 pillow, having a lousy work setup, too long on a PC, etc), but of notable concern would be dural tension.  Dura is a thick tissue that protects and envelopes the brain and spinal cord.  It is hypothesised that stress or tension to this tissue may exert pressure on the neural tissues, thus contributing to a myriad of symptoms including migraines.

    The first area that I would assess would be the upper ne ck as it is a VERY likely contributing factor, but it would also be important to check the TMJ (jaw) for tightness or dental issues).  An Upper Cervical Specific chiropractor in your area would be one of my first points of contact.


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  • 2

    Thanks

    Dr Dick Beatty

    GP (General Practitioner)

    Dr Dick Beatty is a Full Time Vasectomist - operating across locations in South East Queensland, including Greenslopes Private Hospital. View Profile

    It certainly sounds like chronic migraine (other diagnoses will need considering but sound unlikely).

    Chronic migraine is is defined as at least 15 headache days per month for 3 months of which at least half are migraines (at least 8 migraines per month). Having said that, you'll know when you've got chronic migraine … although a lot of people get “other types of headaches” alongside which are usually medication-induced headaches.

    The key areas to look at would be:

    - migraine triggers; it's worth considering completing a “headache diary”

    - stress , depression , anxiety (may make the migraines more frequent, as well as chronic migraine affecting wellbeing - it is a very distressing condition)

    - medication overuse headache which occurs with long term use of either (1) over the counter analgesics or anti inflammatories taken on most days or (2) prescribed pain killers or “triptans” (the prescribed acute anti-migraine tablets or sprays that come in packets of 2 or 4) taken on at least 1 day in 3 long term … these are a powerful cause of headaches (particularly in someone with chronic migraine)

    - acute medication … but risks with medication-induced headaches particularly if containing caffeine (panadol extra) or opiates (panadol forte etc.)

    - preventative medication reduce the number of migraine attacks. Examples include the following: betablocker, Topirimate, a Tricyclic (amitriptyline), valproate, gabapentin. It's usual to need to try 2 or 3 before you find one that helps and that can be really frustrating.

    - There is evidence for botox injections which are administered by a specialist over a few months. First, though, you'd need to be off regular medication-inducing tablets and have tried the preventative tablets.

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