Is chronic migraine a serious illness?

Is chronic migraine a serious illness?

Migraine is considered chronic when people have 15 or more headache days per month, with at least 8 of those days meeting criteria for migraine. Chronic migraine can be a very disabling condition. Development of chronic migraine has been associated with a number of potentially treatable risk factors.

Is chronic migraine a neurological condition?

Migraine is a neurological disease with extremely incapacitating neurological symptoms. It’s typically a severe throbbing recurring pain, usually on one side of the head. But in about 1/3 of attacks, both sides are affected. In some cases, other disabling symptoms are present without head pain.

Do chronic migraines ever go away?

Migraines often run in families, and can start as early as elementary school but most often in early adulthood. They often fade away later in life, but can strike at any time.

How do you treat chronic migraines?

Treatment

1. Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants — such as nortriptyline (Pamelor) — can be used to treat chronic headaches.
2. Beta blockers. These drugs, commonly used to treat high blood pressure, are also a mainstay for preventing episodic migraines.
3. Anti-seizure medications.
4. NSAIDs.
5. Botulinum toxin.

Are chronic migraines a disability?

If you’re unable to work due to chronic migraine, you can apply for disability benefits. You need to have enough work credits and evidence that you can’t work anymore due to your migraine symptoms. Migraine disability may be difficult to prove, but it can be done.

Is migraine a brain problem?

Researchers now believe that migraine is a neurological disorder involving nerve pathways and brain chemicals. We know that migraine often runs in families.

Does migraine damage the brain?

Migraines cause serious pain. If you get them, you’ve probably wondered if they have a lasting effect on your brain. Research suggests that the answer is yes. Migraines can cause lesions, which are areas of damage to the brain.

Is migraine a dangerous disease?

Migraine has long been considered a painful condition that affects quality of life but is not otherwise dangerous.

What is treatment for chronic migraine?

Topiramate (Topamax) is a drug originally approved for the treatment of seizures in people with epilepsy. It’s now also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent chronic migraine.

Do chronic migraines count as chronic pain?

Chronic migraines count as chronic pain. Depending on the severity, it can be considered a disability. Many people see Headache Specialists in order to get the best treatment for their migraines. Others opt for pain management clinics, or a neurologist. It is important to remember that migraines are not a part of you.

What is the best medication for migraine prevention?

The FDA has approved several drugs for migraine prevention, including divalproex sodium, topiramate, propranolol, timolol, and methysergide. Of all classes of migraine preventive therapy, antiseizure medications have the most support in the data.