INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST MIGRAINE

How prevalent is migraine in the population? action against migraine

The Migraine is one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide. It affects approximately 14% of the population and it is more frequent in women, especially during the years with more work and family activity, estimating that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men will suffer from it at some time in their lives. Migraine is not only a headache, but a disabling condition that interferes with your daily life, work and personal relationships.

Are there effective treatments to treat the disease?

Fortunately, yes. Treatments are available to help improve the pain and symptoms that occur during migraine attacks. There are also preventive options
aimed at reducing the frequency, intensity and duration of episodes.

What kind of preventive treatments are available?

This is the field in which most advances have been made in recent years.
We have multiple drugs that can be classified into 3 large groups:

• Traditional oral drugs. These drugs were originally designed for other conditions, but have been found to be effective
  in preventing migraine. They are beta-blocker drugs (commonly used to treat high blood pressure), antidepressants, and antiepileptic drugs, among others. They have a significant advantage, which is the ability to address several conditions at the same time. This is particularly beneficial for patients who not only suffer from migraine, but also
  suffer from other conditions such as depression, anxiety or insomnia. The downside of these drugs is that they sometimes have to be discontinued due to side effects.
• Botulinum toxin, effective in patients with very frequent pain (> 15 days a month) and with very few side effects.
• Anti-CGRP drugs. These are the most recent and specific treatments for migraine, which act by blocking CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide). Two types are available: monoclonal antibodies and the others are
  gepants. The former are biological treatments that are administered subcutaneously or intravenously on a monthly or quarterly basis; while the gepants are oral drugs.

What is CGRP and why is it important in migraine?

CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) is a molecule that is released in excess during a migraine episode. It has also been seen that people with chronic migraine (> 15 days of pain per month), show elevated levels of CGRP in
blood even outside of migraine attacks. It is related to inflammation and dilation of blood vessels in the brain, which generates the typical pain of
migraine. Multiple studies have shown that blocking this molecule reduces the duration, intensity and frequency of migraine attacks.

How are new drugs changing the approach to this disease and the quality of life of patients?

What is innovative about these treatments is that they are more targeted than traditional preventive options, which means they produce fewer side effects.
Patients who use them describe significant improvements in their quality of life, with fewer days of pain per month and an increased ability to perform daily activities.

Where is the future of this disease headed, and what research is being conducted?

The future of migraine treatments is very promising, as research continues to advance in the identification of new therapeutic targets and the development of more personalized treatments, with fewer side effects and
greater efficacy. As we better understand the biology of migraine, new avenues are opening up to more effectively combat migraine and improve the lives of migraine sufferers
.

Approach to migraine in the Neurology Service: What does it consist of?

In our Headache and Facial Pain Unit we perform a multidisciplinary approach, as we understand that migraine is a complex disease that can have multiple causes and triggers. Our team is composed of a specialized neurologist, nurse, clinical psychologist, physiotherapists, and other health professionals, which allows us to approach it from different angles, not only with pharmacological treatments.

Conclusion: On International Migraine Action Day, it is important to remember that this disease affects millions of people and that advances in treatment are improving the quality of life for many patients. If you suffer from frequent migraines, do not hesitate to consult your doctor about the new options available.