If you’ve ever experienced that intense headache forcing you to retreat to a dark room, lying down with closed eyes in silence, then you know the agony of a migraine. And you are not alone! It is estimated that 31 million Brazilians suffer from this condition, which is the leading cause of disability among women aged 18 to 49. Migraines significantly impact quality of life, daily routines, and work productivity.
Dr. Renata Londero, a neurologist overseeing the Headache Outpatient Clinic at Hospital das Clínicas de Porto Alegre and serving as the coordinator of the Scientific Department of Headaches at the Brazilian Academy of Neurology (ABN), sheds light on migraine treatment and highlights the risks associated with indiscriminate use of painkillers.
“Effective migraine management involves more than just taking pain medication,”
Dr. Londero emphasizes.
“It’s essential to identify triggers and adopt holistic approaches tailored to each individual’s needs.”
Migraine triggers vary from person to person and can include stress, hormonal changes, certain foods like aged cheese or processed meats, lack of sleep, bright lights, strong smells, or even weather changes. Understanding these triggers plays a pivotal role in preventing migraine episodes.
Dr. Londero warns against relying solely on pain relief medications without addressing the root cause:
“Overusing analgesics can lead to medication-overuse headaches or rebound headaches, making migraines harder to treat in the long run.”
Besides pharmacological interventions, lifestyle modifications such as stress management techniques, regular exercise, proper hydration, adequate sleep hygiene, and maintaining a balanced diet can all contribute to reducing migraine frequency and severity.
By delving into personalized treatment plans that encompass preventive strategies alongside acute symptom management tailored for each patient’s unique triggers and characteristics can pave the way for better migraine control.
With expert guidance from professionals like Dr. Londero and ongoing research advancements in headache medicine spearheaded by organizations like ABN offer hope for individuals battling migraines in reclaiming their lives from this debilitating condition.
