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Migraine: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80100 Naples, Italy
Interests: migraine; pediatric neurology; pediatric psychiatry; behavioral problems; learning disorders; movement disorders; sleep; headache and intellectual disabilities

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A migraine is a moderate or severe headache that usually manifests as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. It is a common disabling primary headache disorder that directly affects more than one billion people worldwide. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, migraines constitute the second most prevalent neurological disorder worldwide and are responsible for more disabilities than all other neurological disorders combined.

The pathogenesis of a migraine is widely believed to involve the peripheral and central activation of the trigeminovascular system. Genetic factors might play a significant role in determining an individual’s susceptibility to migraine. However, much remains unknown about specific pathogenic processes. The functioning of individuals who experience migraines may be limited in their daily life during ictal phases. They are also more likely to have other somatic symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain), anxiety and mood disorders. In addition, it has been reported that chronic migraines in the developmental age often seem to be associated with psychiatric, neurological and cardiac comorbidities, learning impairments and sleep problems. Some drugs can treat or prevent migraines, and exercise has been studied as a migraine-preventive treatment, but currently, there is no cure for migraine headaches.

This Special Issue is dedicated to increasing our awareness and understanding of migraines, which will improve the lives of those living with them. We welcome studies that report the symptoms, causes, diagnoses and treatments of migraines.

Prof. Dr. Maria Esposito
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • migraine
  • headache
  • neck stiffness
  • childhood migraine
  • migraine comorbidities
  • aura
  • cortical spreading depression
  • treatment

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 318 KiB  
Article
Orofacial Migraine and Other Idiopathic Non-Dental Facial Pain Syndromes: A Clinical Survey of a Social Orofacial Patient Group
by Federica Reina, Giuseppe Salemi, Mariarita Capizzi, Salvatore Lo Cascio, Antonio Marino, Giuseppe Santangelo, Andrea Santangelo, Mirko Mineri, Filippo Brighina, Vincenzo Raieli and Carmelo Attilio Costa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(20), 6946; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206946 - 20 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2036
Abstract
Background: Orofacial pain syndromes (OFPs) are a heterogeneous group of syndromes mainly characterized by painful attacks localized in facial and oral structures. According to the International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP), the last three groups (non-dental facial pain, NDFP) are cranial neuralgias, [...] Read more.
Background: Orofacial pain syndromes (OFPs) are a heterogeneous group of syndromes mainly characterized by painful attacks localized in facial and oral structures. According to the International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP), the last three groups (non-dental facial pain, NDFP) are cranial neuralgias, facial pain syndromes resembling primary headache syndromes, and idiopathic orofacial pain. These are often clinical challenges because the symptoms may be similar or common among different disorders. The diagnostic efforts often induce a complex diagnostic algorithm and lead to several imaging studies or specialized tests, which are not always necessary. The aim of this study was to describe the encountered difficulties by these patients during the diagnostic–therapeutic course. Methods: This study was based on the responses to a survey questionnaire, administered to an Italian Facebook Orofacial Patient Group, searching for pain characteristics and diagnostic–therapeutic care courses. The questionnaire was filled out by patients affected by orofacial pain, who were 18 years and older, using a free online tool available on tablets, smartphones, and computers. Results: The sample was composed of 320 subjects (244F/76M), subdivided by age range (18–35 ys: 17.2%; 36–55 ys: 55.0%; >55 ys 27.8%). Most of the patients were affected by OFP for more than 3 years The sample presented one OFP diagnosis in 60% of cases, more than one in 36.2% of cases, and 3.8% not classified. Trigeminal neuralgia is more represented, followed by cluster headaches and migraines. About 70% had no pain remission, showing persisting background pain (VAS median = 7); autonomic cranial signs during a pain attack ranged between 45 and 65%. About 70% of the subjects consulted at least two different specialists. Almost all received drug treatment, about 25% received four to nine drug treatments, 40% remained unsatisfied, and almost 50% received no pharmacological treatment, together with drug therapy. Conclusion: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on an OFP population not selected by a third-level specialized center. The authors believe this represents a realistic perspective of what orofacial pain subjects suffer during their diagnostic–therapeutic course and the medical approach often results in unsatisfactory outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migraine: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment)
14 pages, 1706 KiB  
Article
Acupuncture Is Effective at Reducing the Risk of Stroke in Patients with Migraines: A Real-World, Large-Scale Cohort Study with 19-Years of Follow-Up
by Chung-Chih Liao, Chi-Hsien Chien, Ying-Hsiu Shih, Fuu-Jen Tsai and Jung-Miao Li
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031690 - 17 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3856
Abstract
Migraines are common headache disorders and risk factors for subsequent strokes. Acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of migraines; however, few studies have examined whether its use reduces the risk of strokes in migraineurs. This study explored the long-term effects of [...] Read more.
Migraines are common headache disorders and risk factors for subsequent strokes. Acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of migraines; however, few studies have examined whether its use reduces the risk of strokes in migraineurs. This study explored the long-term effects of acupuncture treatment on stroke risk in migraineurs using national real-world data. We collected new migraine patients from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2017. Using 1:1 propensity-score matching, we assigned patients to either an acupuncture or non-acupuncture cohort and followed up until the end of 2018. The incidence of stroke in the two cohorts was compared using the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Each cohort was composed of 1354 newly diagnosed migraineurs with similar baseline characteristics. Compared with the non-acupuncture cohort, the acupuncture cohort had a significantly reduced risk of stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.35–0.46). The Kaplan–Meier model showed a significantly lower cumulative incidence of stroke in migraine patients who received acupuncture during the 19-year follow-up (log-rank test, p < 0.001). Acupuncture confers protective benefits on migraineurs by reducing the risk of stroke. Our results provide new insights for clinicians and public health experts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migraine: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment)
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