Migraine Headache Research Analysis

Q: Is a migraine dangerous?

Migraine can be debilitating and disruptive to a person’s life. However, the symptoms are transient, and do not result in permanent physical disability. That said, migraine is associated with a 2-3 fold increase in risk of various types of stroke which can cause permanent disability. This is one of the reasons it is important to avoid self-diagnosis of migraine, and to speak to your physician about minimizing other risk factors for stroke if you suffer from migraine.

Q: What is a migraine prodrome?

Some people experience warning signs that a migraine is coming, these warning signs start hours or a day or two before a migraine and are also known as “migraine prodrome” or an “aura”. “Prodrome” comes from the Greek term prodromos, meaning “running before”. A migraine prodrome most commonly involves neck stiffness and fatigue, and can also include sensitivity to light/sound, nausea, visual changes, food cravings, depression, and yawning.[2][7]

Q: Can a butterbur supplement help with migraines?

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a perennial shrub that has a long history of medicinal use. A randomized controlled trial in 245 adults with 2-6 migraines per month shows that taking butterbur extract 75 mg twice daily reduces migraine frequency by at least half in 68% of the participants when compared to 49% of the participants in the placebo group. However, taking a smaller dose of butter extract 50 milligrams twice daily did not show a benefit versus placebo.[8] In fact, the Canadian Headache Society strongly supports the use of butterbur extract for migraine prevention but warns that only properly tested products should be used. Unprocessed butterbur extract can contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), which are toxic chemicals known to cause liver damage. It’s important to check that butterbur products are PA-free prior to use.[4]

Marina Shkayeva

Migraine Headache

•Last Updated: August 18 2022

Migraine headaches are usually one-sided (sometimes bilateral) head pain. They affect women more often than men, and can have a number of triggers, and are more common if you have a family member with migraines. They can be distinguished from other types of headaches (such as tension or cluster headaches) due to additional symptoms of nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and worsening of pain with activity.

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Migraine Headache falls under thePaincategory.

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Marina Shkayeva, PharmD

:

Rob Stenstrom, MD, PhD

Last Updated: August 18 2022

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Frequently asked questions

What is a migraine headache?

Migraine headaches usually present as one-sided throbbing head pain, along with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine is very common and rated as the third most common reason for disability in both men and women younger than 50 years of age.^[1] There are two major types of migraine: with or without an aura. Between 25-30% of people with migraine will experience auras, which are neurological symptoms (such as visual disturbances) that occur before, during, or after the migraine itself.^[1]

Is a migraine dangerous?

What is a migraine prodrome?

How is a migraine diagnosed?

Usually, a headache with additional symptoms of sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and worsening with physical activity is most suggestive of a migraine. A migraine with aura involves reversible neurological symptoms that can be visual or sensory (e.g., flashing lights, zig-zag lines, foggy vision).^[2]

What are some of the main medical treatments for migraine?

In patients with acute migraine, first line treatments usually include two classes of medicines: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and triptans. Examples of NSAIDS are ibuprofen and naproxen, and examples of triptans are sumatriptan and rizatriptan.^[3] When these treatments are not enough to treat the migraine or when migraines still occur too often, preventative treatments may be prescribed.^[4] These can include antiseizure, blood pressure,and antidepressant medications. Consult with your health care provider about what treatments are right for you.

Have any supplements been studied for migraine?

Many supplements have been studied for migraine prevention and some seem to have some benefit. Some examples include riboflavin (vitamin B2), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, butterbur, and melatonin.^[5]

Can a butterbur supplement help with migraines?

How could diet affect migraines?

Certain foods such as cheese, chocolate and wine are thought to trigger migraines in some people. However, food-elimination diets have yielded mixed results for reducing migraine frequency. Specific dietary modifications such as the ketogenic diet, the DASH diet, low-fat diet have been studied for migraine prevention, but it is unclear if they help.^[6]

Does aspartame cause headaches?

Are there any other treatments for migraine?

Many non-medical treatments have been studied for preventing migraine by reducing stress. Some of these treatments include meditation, mindfulness, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), yoga, and hypnosis.^[5]

What causes migraines?

Migraine triggers differ from person to person. Daily headache journals are recommended to be better able to identify specific triggers. Some commonly identified triggers include alcohol, caffeine, fatigue, menstruation, certain foods (e.g., cheese or chocolate), missed meals, smoke, stress, and weather changes.^[4]