Although migraines are often confused with headaches, they could not be more different. A chronic condition with no single specific cause or known cure, they profoundly impact the Malaysian population and notably affect women more than men.

Indeed, research has shown that approximately one in four women will experience migraines at some point in their lives, versus one in 12 men.

“A migraine is frequently accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and sensitivity to light and noise,” said Dr Hiew Fu Liong, consultant neurologist at a medical centre in Bandar Sunway, Selangor.

He outlined that there are different phases to a migraine episode: prodrome, aura, attack, and postdrome. “The prodrome stage is marked by subtle warning signs like malaise, fatigue, and food cravings. The aura stage involves sensory disturbances such as visual flashes or heightened sound sensitivity.

“Then, the migraine attack is a unilateral head pain and aversion to light and sound that can last anywhere from four to 72 hours. Finally, the postdrome stage follows the attack, with lingering lethargy lasting a few days.”

According to Hiew, there are six types of migraines:

• migraine without aura: the most common type, characterised by sudden and severe pain typically localised to one side of the head;
• migraine with aura: involving blurred vision or auditory hallucination, often serving as warning signs preceding the onset of pain;
• basilar migraine: presents differently from other migraine types, with symptoms primarily involving dizziness, vomiting and auditory hallucinations, but without the typical head pain;
• ocular migraine: characterised by eye pain or temporary vision loss in one eye;
• catamenial migraine: specifically affects women during their menstrual period, highlighting the influence of hormonal fluctuations upon migraine onset; and
• hemiplegic migraine: one of the most severe forms of migraine, involving not just intense head pain but paralysis on one side of the body.

Understanding the triggers and risk factors associated with migraines is crucial for patients seeking to mitigate their occurrence or frequency, Hiew noted. These can vary significantly from person to person and may include sudden changes in weather, dehydration, sensitivity to strong odours, caffeine consumption, and exposure to loud noises.

He added that migraines are also often confused with tension headaches, symptoms of which include a dull, aching head pain, and feeling of tightness or pressure across the forehead or on the sides and/or back of the head. This, he said, complicates diagnosis as they have similar characteristics.

Additionally, some people believe migraines are psychological and can be cured with supplements. “There is no definitive cure, and supplements alone do not treat and manage migraines,” Hiew stressed.

So, what ARE the treatment options? “These can be divided into two categories: treatment to stop the pain, and treatment to prevent attacks altogether. Pain relief involves medications like painkillers, while migraine prevention includes anti-epileptic, anti-hypertensive, or antidepressant medications.”

Ultimately, while there is no cure for migraines, the goal of treatment is to manage the condition effectively. As such, Hiew concluded, patients are advised to consult their doctor or a specialist, who can develop personalised strategies to either prevent migraines or better manage the symptoms when they arise.