Rising KashmirRising KashmirRising Kashmir
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • Kashmir
    • City
    • Jammu
    • Politics
  • Health
  • Anchor
  • Features
  • Interview
  • Video
Search

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022

Categories

  • Anchor
  • Breaking
  • Business
  • City
  • Developing Story
  • Editorial
  • Education
  • Features
  • Health
  • Interview
  • Jammu
  • Jammu and Kashmir News
  • Kashmir
  • Kashmir Tourism
  • Kath Bath
  • National
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Top Stories
  • Trending
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Viewpoint
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Migraine: An Invisible Hammer..!
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Rising KashmirRising Kashmir
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • News
  • Health
  • Anchor
  • Features
  • Interview
  • Video
Search
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • Kashmir
    • City
    • Jammu
    • Politics
  • Health
  • Anchor
  • Features
  • Interview
  • Video
Follow US
© 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Rising Kashmir > Blog > Viewpoint > Migraine: An Invisible Hammer..!
Viewpoint

Migraine: An Invisible Hammer..!

DR. FIZAH HAMID
Last updated: March 17, 2024 10:46 pm
DR. FIZAH HAMID
Published: March 17, 2024
Share
10 Min Read
SHARE

Migraine, a word so brief, yet behind it lies a world of pain, misunderstood by many but intimately familiar to those who endure its grasp. Imagine a pain so crippling that it halts the flow of life around you; this is the actual reality for those who navigate through the turbulent waters of migraines.  The journey into understanding this health issue, is akin to exploring a labyrinth, where every turn reveals new insights and every corridor holds echoes of pain and hope.

 

Migraine , the second most common cause of headache, and the most common headache related, cause of disability in the world. We should remember that the migraine is just beyond a normal headache, it is usually an episodic headache associated with certain features such as sensitivity to light, sound or even movement, nausea and vomiting often accompany the headache. A migraine attack has usually three phases: prodrome, headache phase, and postdrome, each with different disabling symptoms. Some percentage of patients have a fourth phase as well, known as the ‘aura’ phase. Migraine is well recognized by its stimulating factors, whom we call as ‘triggers’. The headache is initiated or amplified by various trigger factors like glare,  bright lights, sounds, movements or even hunger, stress, physical exertion, atmospheric changes (like pressure changes) , hormonal fluctuations, lack of sleep, alcohol etc. It’s of utmost importance for a patient to have the knowledge of the trigger factors, and hence can be useful in management strategies.

 

Delving into the heart of migraine’s mystery requires us to navigate the intricate pathways of pathogenesis, where the intersection of biology, environment, and genetics paints a vivid picture of this debilitating condition. The journey of understanding migraines takes us deep into the cellular landscapes and neural circuits, where the dance of ions, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory molecules choreographs the pain and symptoms experienced by millions.

 

The sensory sensitivity which is characteristic of migraine is probably due to dysfunction of monoaminergic sensory control systems, activation of cells in Trigeminal nucleus results in the release of Vasoactive neuropeptides, particularly calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

 

CGRP emerges as a pivotal player in the migraine saga, a molecular messenger that carries the tales of pain and inflammation within the brain’s intricate networks. This neuropeptide, flourishing within the central and peripheral nervous system, acts as a double-edged sword: essential for normal neurological function yet capable of triggering the cascade of events leading to the intense, debilitating pain characteristic of migraines. Other brainstem regions likely to be involved in descending modulation and of Trigeminal pain include the nucleus locus coeruleus in the pons and rostral ventromedial medulla. Different pharmacological modalities have been developed around the given scenario and hence improving the chances to treat the disabling condition in the best possible way.

 

Involvement of Dopamine in the pathophysiology of migraines, though less directly visible compared to other mechanisms, is increasingly recognized as significant. Most migraine symptoms can be induced by dopaminergic stimulation, along with this, there is Dopamine receptor hypersensitivity in migraine patients, as seen by the induction of yawning, nausea, vomiting, hypotension, that’s why Pharmacological treatment targeting dopamine receptors are effective therapeutic agents in migraine.

 

The genetic involvement in migraines underscores the condition’s complexity and variability, pointing to a hereditary predisposition that can influence an individual’s susceptibility to migraine attacks. Research has illuminated the significant role that genetics play in the development and manifestation of migraines. Mutations involving the P/Q- type voltage gated Calcium Channel CACNA1A gene are now known to cause Familial Hemiplegic migraine (FHM). Other mutations causing FHM include ATP1A2 gene, SCN1A gene.

 

When exploring the clinical features of migraines, one enters a realm where pain transcends its usual boundaries, morphing into a multifaceted experience that can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life. Migraines are not merely headaches; they are complex neurological events characterized by a constellation of symptoms that can vary widely among sufferers. It’s really important to have the knowledge about the most common and most important symptoms of migraine, so that we will not consider a probable migraine as just a normal headache, which further delays the treatment eventually leading to worsening the problem.

 

In the core of a migraine episode lies the hallmark symptom: a pulsating, throbbing pain typically localized to one side of the head. The migraine Aura, consisting of visual disturbances with flashing lights or zigzag lines moving across the visual fields. The headache is often associated with features like, Nausea (in 87% patients), photophobia (82% patients) , Lightheadedness( 72% patients affected), Vomiting (65%), and other features like scalp tenderness, vertigo etc.

 

Migraine with Aura is called ‘Classical Migraine’, while without aura is known as ‘Common Migraine’.

 

A simple criterion to diagnose migraine includes:

 

Repeated attacks of headache lasting 4-72 hours in patients with a normal physical examination,  no other cause for headache and- at least 2 of the following features : Unilateral Pain, Throbbing pain, Aggravation by movement, Moderate or Severe intensity. Plus at least 1 of the following features: Nausea/Vomiting, Photophobia and Phonophobia.

 

 

 

Strongest predictors of Migraine diagnosis

Photophobia (Light aggravating the headache), Impairment (headache limiting or affecting daily activities), Nausea (Feeling of Vomiting when having a headache).

 

The treatment of migraines represents a beacon of hope for millions who navigate the stormy seas of this debilitating condition. With advancements in medical science and a deeper understanding of the neurological underpinnings of migraines, a spectrum of therapeutic strategies has emerged, offering relief and a path towards improved quality of life for sufferers.

First and foremost treatments include Lifestyle Modifications like Good Sleep, Exercise, Proper Eating, Stress Management, offering a proactive approach to reducing the frequency and severity of attacks. Pharmacological treatment for acute attacks of migraine include NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Paracetamol along with caffeine, can reduce the severity and duration of migraine attack significantly. Even many undiagnosed cases self treat with NSAIDs. A general consensus is that NSAIDs are most effective when taken early in the attack.

 

Other medications include 5HT 1B/1D receptor agonists : Sumitriptan, almotriptan, Eletriptan, zolmitriptan etc. Ergotamine and Dihydroergotamine are other useful medications for acute attacks. Antiemetics (for Nausea/Vomiting) – include Metoclopramide, Prochlorperazine etc. Other useful groups of medications include CGRP Receptor Agonists known as Gepants – like Ubrogepant, Remigepant.

 

Besides acute attacks, the medications which help to prevent the further attacks of migraine include- Valproate, Propranolol, Metoprolol, TCAs (Amitriptyline) , moderate efficacy drugs include Candesartan, Lisinopril, Memantine, Venlafaxine, Serotonergics (Pizotifen), Neuromodulation, CBT(Cognitive behavioral therapy), Acupuncture,  Biofeedback relaxing training. Newer modalities include Monoclonal Antibodies to CGRP receptor (erenumab) or to the peptide (eptinezumab, framanezumab) have all proven effective and well tolerated in migraine.

 

Migraine research is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, with scientists and clinicians worldwide working to unravel the complexities of this debilitating condition, many breakthroughs have been made in the treatment modalities over the years, and the ongoing researches into migraines promises to deepen our understanding of the condition and pave the way for new and improved treatments.

 

Though we haven’t found a complete cure to the condition, yet a number of newer modalities have shown promising results in controlling the severity or duration of the symptoms. To all those who suffer from this silent storm, we should remember there is always a beacon of hope.

 

With every passing day, advances in research and medicine are unfolding new understandings and treatments that promise us a future where these Echoes of Throb will no longer define our existence. Innovative treatments, deeper insights, and a growing awareness are paving the way for a life where migraines hold less power over your day-to-day existence.

 

Hold onto hope, for it is the light that guides us through the darkest of times..!!

 

Keep Spreading Awareness, Keep Spreading Knowledge.

 

 

(Author is MBBS Graduate and can be reached at: [email protected])

Reclaimed Water:  A solution with future     
Organic Farming: A solution and way towards sustainable agriculture
G-20 Summit: Fostering Global Cooperation and Showcasing Kashmir’s Potential
Making Coaching Affordable: Empowering Individuals through Accessible Guidance
Crafting Careers: Opportunities through the PM Internship Scheme

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Copy Link Print
Previous Article The Hack: A Tale of Cyber Triumph
Next Article Food and Ramadan: Exploring the relationship
Leave a Comment Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

1MFollowersLike
262kFollowersFollow
InstagramFollow
234kSubscribersSubscribe
Google NewsFollow

Latest News

“We have vowed to neutralize terrorists”: LG Sinha 
Breaking
May 9, 2025
Mehbooba Mufti gets emotional over civilian deaths, appeals to PM’s on both sides to end conflict
Breaking
May 9, 2025
Amit Shah reviews border, airport security in high-level meeting
Developing Story
May 9, 2025
LG Sinha Visits Uri, Directs Immediate Relief for Families affected by Pakistan Shelling
Breaking
May 9, 2025

Recent Posts

  • “We have vowed to neutralize terrorists”: LG Sinha 
  • Mehbooba Mufti gets emotional over civilian deaths, appeals to PM’s on both sides to end conflict
  • Amit Shah reviews border, airport security in high-level meeting
  • LG Sinha Visits Uri, Directs Immediate Relief for Families affected by Pakistan Shelling
  • Defence ministry urges media to refrain from live coverage of security operations

Recent Comments

  1. SavePlus on AI and Behavioural Analytics in Gaming: Making the World of Gaming Better
  2. Parul on Govt acknowledges faulty streetlights on Narbal-Tangmarg road
  3. dr gora on Women Veterinarians and the Goal of Viksit Bharat
  4. jalwa game login on National Education Policy 2020: Transforming India’s Educational System
  5. Virender Bhat on Pahalgam Attack: A War on Humanity, Peace, and Kashmiriyat

Contact Us

Flat No 7,Press Enclave, Srinagar, 190001
0194 2477887
9971795706
[email protected]
[email protected]

Quick Link

  • E-Paper
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Top Categories

Stay Connected

1.06MLike
262.5kFollow
InstagramFollow
234.3kSubscribe
WhatsAppFollow
Rising KashmirRising Kashmir
Follow US
© 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?