June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, so we at MagniLife want to take this opportunity to remind all migraine patients that You Are Not Alone, which is the theme for 2018.
According to the American Migraine Foundation:
- Migraine impacts more than 36 million men, women and children in the United States.
- Migraine will affect 30% of women over a lifetime.
- The World Health Organization places migraine in the Top 10 most disabling diseases.
What is Migraine?
There is no official medical definition of migraine, but most experts define migraine as a particular type of headache with certain symptoms. Most migraine patients experience one or more of the following symptoms, as listed by the National Headache Foundation:
- Pain typically on one side of the head
- Pain has a pulsating or throbbing quality
- Moderate to intense pain affecting daily activities
- Nausea of vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Attacks last four to 72 hours, sometimes longer
- Exertion such as climbing stairs makes headaches worse
- Visual disturbances or aura
What causes Migraine?
Just as there’s no unanimous definition of migraine, there’s also no unanimous agreement on what causes it. The bottom line is this: You don’t need to know the scientific reason why your head hurts. You only need to know what makes it hurt so you can avoid it, and what will make it better so you can start doing it.
Migraine Prevention & Pain Relief
There is no cure for migraine. The goal of migraine treatment is to reduce the frequency of headaches through preventive measures, and to stop individual headaches when they occur.
To prevent a migraine attack, the easiest thing you can do is to avoid factors that cause migraines to occur. These factors are commonly known as “triggers.”
Migraine patients are particularly sensitive to certain environmental and dietary factors which tend to trigger a headache. Triggers differ depending on the person, but common ones are: certain foods and beverages, certain medications, hormonal fluctuations, environmental factors (lights, odors, noise), stress, and
The most practical strategy for avoiding triggers is to follow common sense. Try to avoid things that seemed to trigger your headaches in the past, and whatever else your instinct tells you to stay away from.
Preventive prescription medications are also available, which can be effective at reducing the frequency and severity of migraines.
For treatment of a migraine attack that’s already in progress, there are many pain-relief medications available over-the-counter and by prescription, and nonpharmacological treatments such as acupuncture, massage, and biofeedback.
Our own product, MagniLife Migraine Relief, is unique in that it’s indicated for prevention and for pain relief during an attack. These quickly-dissolving tablets contain a special homeopathic formula of ten natural ingredients, each of which targets a specific migraine symptom. MagniLife Migraine Relief has no known side effects, and unlike many medications which cause headaches to “rebound” when taken frequently, it can safely be taken as often as needed.
On May 17, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new prescription drug called Aimovig, which is the first drug specifically developed to prevent migraine. (Existing prescription drugs used for migraine prevention were originally developed for other diseases.) Aimovig is administered once per month
by self-injection, and is being touted as the biggest migraine treatment breakthrough in years. However, it’s painful to the pocketbook, especially if you don’t have insurance. As CBS News reports, the price is $6,900 a year, which comes out to $575 per dose!
You Are Not Alone!
Every migraine patient is unique, and it usually takes awhile to find the right treatment — or combination of treatments — that works best. If you’re one of the millions who suffer from migraine headaches, we at MagniLife sincerely wish you speedy success on your journey. And always remember: You are not alone!