Learning to prevent migraines may be best treatment for condition

Posted February 16, 2010

Dr. Werner Becker is a Professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. : photo//: Bruce PerraultMigraine headaches affect more than three million Canadians and a number of different preventative strategies should be considered, states an article in the current edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). The review written by doctors at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine is a primer for physicians, and outlines various treatments and approaches for migraine headaches.

“Migraine headaches are a common, disabling condition. When migraine headaches become frequent, therapy can be challenging,” says the reviews first author, Dr. Tamara Pringsheim, who is also a member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute for Child and Maternal Health.

The CMAJ review says that preventative therapy for migraines remains one of the more difficult aspects of treatment, because while there are valid randomized controlled trials to aid decision making, no drug is completely effective, and most have side effects.

Medications used for migraine can be divided into two broad categories: symptomatic or acute medications to treat individual migraine attacks, or preventative medications which are used to reduce headache frequency. Symptomatic migraine therapy alone, although helpful for many patients, is not adequate treatment for all. Patients with frequent migraine attacks may still have pain despite treating symptoms, and when symptomatic medications are used too often, they can increase headache frequency and may lead to a headache caused by medication overuse.

“At least 12 per cent of the population suffers from migraines, and it is important to realize migraines can cause significant disability, and can result in missed work days, missed family activities, and a lot of frustration,” says Dr. Werner Becker, a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and senior author on the review.  “Physicians need to educate patients about migraine triggers and lifestyle factors, Fortunately most patients are able to reduce their migraine frequency if they are willing to work at it with their health care professional.”

Common headache triggers include caffeine withdrawal, alcohol, sunlight, menstruation and changes in barometric pressure. Lifestyle factors such as stress, erratic sleep and work schedules, skipping meals, and obesity are associated with increased migraine attacks.

A full PDF Of the study can be read here:
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/doi/10.1503/cmaj.081657

About the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary
UCalgary’s Faculty of Medicine is a national leader in health research with an international reputation for excellence and innovation in health care research, education and delivery. We train the next generation of health practitioners and move new treatments and diagnostic techniques from the laboratory bench to the hospital bedside, improving patient care. For more information visit http://medicine.ucalgary.ca. or follow us on twitter @UofCMedicine

About the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute for Child and Maternal Health
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) at UCalgary consists of more than 125 physicians and scientists who are dedicated to advancing child and maternal health research and education. The Institute’s research strengths are in areas of behaviour and brain development, molecular and genetic medicine, oncology, injury prevention and healthy living, optimizing child health outcomes, maternal, fetal and reproductive health. The Institute’s broad goal is to encourage and share research and education that improve the quality of life and health of children and mothers. More information about the