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Consultant Neurologist Dr Steve Allder was featured in Glamour magazine, giving expert advice and tips on how to manage migraines.
Approximately 6million people in the UK suffer from migraines, with an estimated 190,000 attacks per day, ranking it as the seventh most disabling diseases. Women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men, with symptoms lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Migraines can be triggered by a multitude of factors ranging from genetics, food intolerances and allergies through to hormones, lifestyle, weather conditions, environment and wider medical issues. They can be debilitating and seriously impede the quality of life for those affected by them.
Dr Allder advises for anybody affected by migraines to follow the below guidelines in order to understand the possible causes and triggers, so the most effective treatment plan can be implemented as soon as possible:
- Review lifestyle – factors such as stress, anxiety, sleep patterns, exercise, diet, hormones, weather and use of visual display units may trigger the onset of a migraine
- Record symptoms – Take note of factors such as dates of episodes, pain intensity, location of pain, weather conditions, type of pain, duration of migraine, menstrual cycle (if applicable)
- Make a migraine diary – allergies, dehydration, fasting and skipping meals may trigger a migraine. Dairy, chocolate, alcohol, nuts, cheese, citrus and carbonated drinks are all common offenders
- Research family history – genetics are a huge factor with migraines so it is important to understand triggers, treatment and what was and wasn’t successful in managing
- Consult with your GP – they will be able to conduct the necessary medical examinations and make appropriate referrals where necessary
Dr Allder also advises to be prepared for a migraine, having water to hand (it’s imperative not to become dehydrated), medication should be accessible, sensory distractions such as wet towels and sunglasses and emergency contact details. It is also advisable to have a quiet, dark room to sleep in – rest is vital in migraine recovery.
The future of migraine medication
Whilst there is currently no cure for migraine, extensive research is ongoing to understand more about treating, curing and preventing migraine. The Brain and Mind experts at Re:Cognition Health are currently recruiting volunteers for a late phase clinical trial, testing new generation medications to help treat the painful effects of migraine for those suffering with 3 – 8 migraines per month.
Clinical trials are essential for advancing our understanding of medicine and improving the healthcare and quality of life for individuals. Last year, over 870,000 people participated in health and social care research in the UK, according to the National Institute for Clinical Research. With every clinical study undertaken, we understand more about diagnosing and treating any given disease and ultimately finding a cure.
For further information on the migraine clinical trials visit: https://recognitionhealth.com/migraine-study/
To read the full article visit:
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/migraines-everything-you-need-to-know
