Dr. Maire Finn joined Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1 to discuss the pain of migraines, how to treat them, and how to prevent them. Listen back above.
According to Dr Finn, headaches are extremely common, and usually nothing to worry about. For the most part, she says, hunger, thirst, and tiredness are to blame.
Sometimes, though, headaches can be a sign of a deeper problem, particularly if they are recurring or affecting your quality of life.
Some troubling signs to look out for include:
- A very sudden headache that feels out of the norm, particularly one that starts at the back of the head
- A headache alongside a high temperature
- A headache after a trauma of some sort
- If you've never had headaches before but start experiencing them regularly, particularly over the age of 50
Migraines
Migraines are a disruptive type of headache that can present episodically or last for up to 72 hours.
Often, those who suffer will need to stay in a dark, quiet room with no additional stimuli until the pain begins to pass.
"It's about managing the quality of life so that they can actually continue to function very, very well," explains Dr Finn. "That can be difficult, that can take a lot of time to get to a point where you have a good handle on it."
Of course, the best way to treat a problem is by getting ahead of it. A change in mood or tiredness can indicate that a migraine is on its way, as well as the experience of a migraine aura.
Dr Finn explains that an aura is a neurological-type symptom that occurs before a headache appears, although some people may experience these without any headache at all. Symptoms may include seeing zig-zag lights, hearing an unusual noise, or smelling an unusual scent.
In the case of younger children, a migraine could even appear through recurring abdominal pain, making it tricky to diagnose. Migraines are passed down genetically, so parents should pass this information on to their children's GP.
Hormones may also be to blame. For example, when women ovulate, they experience a surge of LH hormones, which may contribute to migraines.
Treatments
While some aches can be eased with a gentle temple massage and a nap, others can be decidedly more tricky.
Cluster headaches, for example, may not be as severe as a migraine but can last for days or even weeks, while thunderclap headaches can reach their peak intensity within a minute.
The better you understand your pain, the better you can manage it, which is why Dr Finn suggests keeping a headache diary to find out if there are certain foods, smells, or situational triggers.
Many headaches can be kept at bay through lifestyle factors like staying hydrated, enjoying quality sleep, and reducing stress. For hormonal headaches in women, the contraceptive pill may help to ease symptoms.
If those don't do the trick, though, other treatments are available.
Some medications can be prescribed to tackle pain head-on, while other preventative medications can be taken on a daily basis.
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a recent innovation that may help long-time sufferers, while Botox can be administered to the scalp to help reduce muscular tension.
If you are struggling with migraines, Dr Finn recommends that you ask your GP to refer you to a migraine clinic.
Listen back to the full interview on Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1.
