Have you ever had such a terrible headache that you wondered whether it could be something more? Well, maybe it is a migraine. There are some key differences between a headache and a migraine, and the latter is so much more severe in nature. New research has shown that over a billion people worldwide suffer from migraines, which is a considerable amount. If it is such a common condition, it begs the question of what treatment opportunities are for this.
Firstly, it is important to fully understand what a migraine is. It is a lot more complex than just a headache, as it can lead to debilitating symptoms such as light sensitivity, fatigue, brain fog, and nausea. The National Library of Medicine defines a migraine as “a recurring syndrome of headache associated with other symptoms of neurologic dysfunction in varying admixtures.” Migraines occur in two categories: restraint migraine and refractory migraine. To meet the condition for the restraint migraine, an individual must have failed at least three classes of preventative measures against migraines and have experienced eight or more sufferable headaches for three consecutive months without much improvement. The conditions for refractory migraine include having failed all preventative measures against migraines and having experienced at least eight headache days for six months without improvement.
The recurring nature of this disorder showcases that it is cyclical and works in phases. There are three phases of a migraine cycle: premonitory phase, intense headache attack, and postdrome phase. The premonitory phase is marked by fatigue, nausea, and food cravings. These occur either days or hours before the oncoming migraine. Following this is when the headache attack occurs, which is the worst phase as it is the most painful experience. Lastly, in the postdrome phase, is when the headache finally ends, and the symptoms are depicted as being in a state of euphoria or depression. Studies have shown that while symptoms can differ per individual, the underlying cause is the same: the brain’s hypersensitivity and the complexity of its parts.
While migraines can be extremely difficult to manage, breakthroughs in scientific innovation have allowed it to be treatable. In the olden ages, migraines were considered untreatable, and common methods used to lessen the pain included attaching a crocodile sculpture to the head to numb the head or drilling holes into the skull. While medicine has advanced beyond these measures, a lot of treatments for migraines are not the fix for many people. However, an in-depth understanding of the condition has led to the breakthrough of using Gepants, which are a class of drugs that can help calm the migraine attack. The way the Gepants and monoclonal antibody drugs can help, according to Diana Krause, a neuropharmacologist at the University of California, Irvine. These drugs work by targeting the calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor. This receptor is responsible for inducing blood vessel dilation and pain sensitization on the trigeminal ganglion. This is what makes migraine headaches so painful, and the antibodies are used to block the CGRP as a preventative measure to oncoming headaches. Treatments such as these drugs will improve the condition and quality of life for many people who suffer from migraines and truly represent a considerable breakthrough in science and medicine.
