FAQS ABOUT
MIGRAINES

Over 2.7 million Canadians suffer from migraines – and like you they have questions.

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for in the FAQs, just submit your question at the end of the page.

Over 2.7 million Canadians suffer from migraines – and like you they have questions.

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for in the FAQs, just submit your question at the end of the page.

Can migraine be cured?

Currently there is no cure. However, there are three groups of migraine treatment and your doctor can tell you which is best for you:

Acute treatments (for example, pain medications and anti-sickness tablets) are taken during a migraine attack to help relieve headaches and other symptoms associated with your migraine.
Preventive treatments are taken regularly, even when you aren’t experiencing a migraine attack, to help stop them before they even start.
Alternative or complementary therapies, which are non-medication approaches for preventing migraine such as acupuncture or dietary therapy.

Why is it important to prevent migraine?

Taking medication during an attack can be effective in controlling symptoms, but it is not a suitable solution for all migraine sufferers. For some people, stopping migraine attacks before they start is the key to regaining control, particularly those who experience frequent or persistent migraine symptoms.

If you are living with migraine, you’ll be all too aware of how painful and debilitating it can be, so reducing the frequency, intensity and/or duration of your migraine attacks can mean less time missing out and more time living life to its fullest.

Should I be thinking about taking preventative medications to help manage my migraines?

By discussing the frequency and severity of your migraines with your doctor along with how it affects your life, the two of you can determine if preventative therapy is right for you. Your doctor will ask you questions like the ones in our preventative therapy quiz that you can find in our tools & resources section

If I’m on a preventive treatment, will I still need to take other additional medications during my attacks?

Preventive treatments can sometimes take as many as four to six weeks before you experience their full benefit. If you have questions on the combined use of acute and preventive treatment, you should always ask your doctor about how to manage your migraine.

When do I change from one preventive treatment to another?

It can be terribly frustrating to feel like your prescribed medication is not working for you. If this is the case, it is vital you don’t just give up and instead discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Remember that finding the right treatment, at the right dose, can take time. Bear in mind that there are different types of preventive medication and they have different ways of working. Migraine is very individual, if one medication is not working for you, another may be effective. Your doctor may suggest changing your preventive medication if one or more of the following applies to you:

It isn’t providing you with the symptom relief you need
You are experiencing side effects from treatment
You have developed a condition that may affect the way the treatment works on your body
You need to take drugs for another condition that may interfere with it
You are finding it difficult to keep up with the dosing schedule

Keeping a migraine diary can help you and your doctor see how well your treatment is working. You can find it in our tools &resources section.

Can weather affect my migraines?

Yes. Changes in the weather are a common trigger of migraines. Heat, humidity, barometric pressure changes, smog and poor air quality have all been shown to be potential triggers of migraines.

What are the common triggers of a migraine?

Migraine attacks are often brought on by exposure to certain triggers.

Common triggers include stress, irregular schedules, weather changes, some food and beverages.

Potential Triggers of Migraine:

Stress and strong emotions

Acute stress (accident, mourning, divorce, marriage and etc.)
Chronic stress (marital, profession, disease-related and financial)
Drop in stress levels – like when you wind down on the weekend, on a vacation or after completing a stressful activity.
Sleep and irregular routine
Lack of sleep
Sleeping in, sleeping longer than usual
Jet lag and travel
Working variable shifts
New baby

Food and Diet

Skipping a meal
Dehydration
Caffeinated beverages
Caffeine withdrawal
Alcohol – especially wine
Aspartame
Monosodium glutamate
Aged cheeses
Chocolate
Processed meats

Sensory Stimuli

Strong lights
Loud noises
Odours (fragrances, gasoline and detergents)

Environmental Factors

Heat, humidity, changes in barometric pressure and chinook
Smog and poor air quality

Hormonal Fluctuation

Menstrual period
First trimester of pregnancy
Perimenopause
Contraceptives (very variable)
Physical activity
Intense exercise
Sexual activity

Tracking your triggers with a migraine diary can make it easier for your doctor to review your condition.

Are migraines genetic?

There is evidence to support that there is a genetic component to migraines. The family members may have a genetic pre-disposition to getting migraines. In other words, if people in your family suffer from migraines, you may have an increased likelihood of getting them as well.

How common are migraines?

Migraine is a condition with over 2.7 million Canadians diagnosed with migraines (Statistics Canada). And females are twice as likely as males to report migraines. (11.8% versus 4.7%)

Are migraines a disease?

Migraines are a neurological disorder characterized by headache and varying neurological dysfunctions.

What causes a migraine?

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by headache and varying neurological dysfunctions. It is not known what the underlying cause of migraine is. It is however widely accepted that it involved the activation and sensitization of the vascular pathways in the brain and brain stem. It is both a vascular and neurological condition.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT
PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS.

FAQS ABOUTMIGRAINES

ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUTPREVENTIVE TREATMENTS.

FAQS ABOUT
MIGRAINES

ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT
PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS.