Modern Drug
Discovery
March/April 1999
Modern
Drug Discovery, 1999, 2 (2), 20-21, 23-24, 28, 31.
Copyright
© 1999 by the American Chemical Society.
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Migraine is a moderate to severe headache, lasting from 4 to 72 hours, that is exacerbated by movement. It is accompanied by nausea/vomiting or sensitivity to light and noise, or both. Usually, the pain is one-sided and pulsating. The typical sufferer retreats to a darkened bedroom for the duration of the attack, unless symptoms are relieved by early treatment. A minority (10%) of migraineurs experience an aura prior to the attack. The migraine aura most commonly consists of visual disturbances or partial loss of vision, but neurologic signs such as paresthesias (e.g.,, a tingling sensation) can also occur. The level of pain and disability associated with migraine can vary greatly. Some migraineurs can sleep off the attack with the aid of over-the-counter analgesics. Others may be completely disabled for 24 hours or longer, with severe head pain and nausea. The diagnosis of a migraine is based entirely on patient history. Tests and imaging studies can only serve to rule out underlying disease such as a brain tumor or hemmorrhage. |
