When migraines strike: Baykomm - Bayer Communication Center

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When migraines strike

It strikes suddenly, attacking its victims without warning. It is a severe headache that often occurs unilaterally – or "behind" one eye. Those who suffer from the widespread disorder migraine headaches describe the attacks as "hammering" or "throbbing." And once they occur, sufferers often have no choice but to retreat into a darkened bedroom. "The slightest bit of light and the faintest of noises can be unbearable," says Bayer pain expert and pharmacist Brigitte Havertz. But that's not all: migraine symptoms often include nausea or vomiting as well.

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When migraines strike: there are ten million migraine sufferers in Germany alone. Most of those affected are women.

An estimated ten million Germans suffer from migraine headaches, according to Professor Hartmut Göbel from the Kiel Pain Clinic. Migraines strike an average of 900,000 times a day in Germany, primarily affecting women. More than 20 percent of women suffer from migraine headaches, compared to only 5 to 8 percent of men.

What exactly are migraine headaches? What causes them, what treatments are available and how can they be prevented? "There has not been sufficient research into the exact causes of migraine headaches," stresses Brigitte Havertz. The scientific community suspects that a combination of genetic factors, dysregulation of the cerebral artery nerves and disrupted chemical messenger substances in the brain is to blame.

Experts are aware of a variety of factors that can promote migraine headaches, however. "Mental and physical stress, jetlag, altered sleeping patterns or a simple change in the weather are often enough to trigger migraines," says Havertz from experience. The list of exacerbating factors also includes flickering computer screens, menstruation, hunger, alcohol and nicotine.

Another sobering fact is that there is no cure for migraine headaches. Yet certain relaxation and stress-reduction measures can help to at least prolong the intervals between migraine attacks and reduce their severity. So what can be done when a migraine suddenly develops? In the first stage of drug treatment for acute migraine attacks, the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG) recommends non-prescription pain-relievers based on the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid – such as Aspirin® – or paracetamol in a dosage of 1,000 milligrams, or ibuprofen in a dosage of 400 – 600 mg. "It's important to administer pain-relievers as soon as the first symptoms occur – and above all in a sufficiently high dosage."

Bayer has developed a special medicine for migraine patients: "Aspirin® for migraine headaches" effervescent tablets. According to Brigitte Havertz, the tablets contain a large proportion of so-called buffering substances, which ensure that the active ingredient dissolves and enters the bloodstream rapidly and completely.

Migraine sufferers can contact the German Migraine and Headache Society (tel. +49-(0)941-9413070, http://www.dmkg.org/) for further information.