MIGRAINE

SUMMARY

1. Migraines are a common, largely familial disorder characterized by periodic, often unilateral, pulsatile (throbbing) headaches that begin in childhood: early adult life and diminish in frequency as patients get older.

2. Migraines are more common in females.

3. ~60% are unilateral, last 4-72hrs, considered episodic if < 15 episodes/mth & chronic if > 15 episodes/mth for 3 months.

4. Triggers include emotional stress, certain foods (e.g., chocolate, aged cheese), alcohol, menstruation, exposure to glare or other strong sensory stimuli (including perfumes), and rapid changes in barometric pressure.

5. In women, they often occur in the premenstrual period and can be worsened by oral contraceptives.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].