Intractable migraine
Many people around the world have an intractable migraine. 6% of men and 18% of women in USA have intractable migraine in 2009. In the united state, there are 30 million people suffers from intractable migraine. Their age is ranged from 10 to 50 years.
Females and the intractable migraine
Women are 75% of this migraine suffers. Many people have a few migraines in their lifetime while others have experienced an intractable migraine several times.
Intractable migraine types:
It has inconsistent characteristics. It has many triggers, which varies between patients. You can treat the simple migraine by cool or warm the affected area. Intractable migraine is classified into two types one without aura and the another one with aura. Migraine is a disorder which involves recurring head pain.
Intractable migraine triggers:
This migraine may trigger by food and stress. It is caused by the abnormal activity of the brain. It appears to be run in families. It is affected eleven out of hundred people.
Intractable migraine without aura may characterize by:
Vomiting, sensitivity and nausea. The days before the intractable migraine without aura may experience a mood changes or tiredness. It can be occurred on one or bilateral sides of the head.
Intractable migraine with aura is characterized by:
An aura ( neurological phenomenon ) which occurs before the headache and experienced for half hour. Aura is described as wavy lines, zigzag lines, hallucinations and scintillating scotomas which are bright lights at the edges of the vision around objects.
A lot of medications can treat intractable migraine as triptans which can overcome it once it starts. Dehydration can be prevented by drinking fluids. Ergotamine can treat intractable migraine, but it is no longer available.
Intractable migraine can be prevented by some medication as:
Amitriptyline, propranolol, clonidine, ergonovine, methysergide, cyproheptadine, carbamazepinem Topamax, valproic acid and calcium the antagonists of calcium channel. Ergotamine preparation, especially ergotamine tartrate can be used with caffeine.
Treatments of intractable migraine:
- Mid line treatment as triptans may be suitable for typical intractable migraine.
- Conventional treatment affects 3 areas: preventive drugs, symptomatic control and trigger avoidance.
- Abortive of preventive therapy as ergot drugs can be used in treatment of intractable migraine.
- Regular meals and moderation in caffeine and alcohol intake can be relieve intractable migraine.
- Injection and suppository of anti emetic drugs in vomiting.
- Agonists of the serotonin receptor and sumatriptan.
- Self hypnosis, diet and visualization can prevent intractable migraine.
- Botox and amidrine are also prescribed for intractable migraine headaches.
- Physical and massage therapy can reduce the intensity of the headaches.
