Expert stresses awareness of migraine

PINS head says women are more likely to be diagnosed with headache disorder than men


Newsdesk July 22, 2019
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Punjab Institute of Neuro Sciences (PINS) Head Dr Khalid Mahmood has said that the issue of migraine where a person experiences pain on one side of the head can also occur all over the head and eyes in severe cases.

He expressed these views in connection with World Brain Day being marked on July 22 across the world. He pointed out that every 7th citizen in the country is a patient of this headache disorder and everyone should give importance to this problem from day one.

The PINS head explained that as compared to men, women are more likely to be diagnosed with migraine. “It is the need of the hour that media and doctors play their role in creating awareness among the public on this serious medical issue.”

Migraine affects one in seven people around the world and, together with other headache disorders; it is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Despite its pervasive impact, migraine continues to be vastly under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated.

He talked about the causes of migraine and said that a part of the problem comes from an unbalanced diet, noise pollution, irritating light, distorted conversation, neck pain, depression and allergy from any edible food.

Dr Mahmood said that women are of the habit of not taking immediate notice of pain in half side of their head and so the migraine problem increases with the passage of time, ultimately leading to life-threatening problems. He further said that men who smoke and drink alcoholic drinks are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder and such patients will have to abandon their habits immediately.

While talking about the symptoms of migraine, he said that attention should be given to weakness in one leg or arm and vision complications. “Migraine patients find themselves unable to work properly due to weakness and MRI scans become necessary.”

He elaborated that whenever a patient experiences such weakness, it is needed that they immediately get a CT scan or MRI scan conducted so that clear diagnosis can surface and proper medical treatment can start.

He advised that patients of migraine should not skip their breakfast. They should not rely on taking tea and coffee and similarly avoid foods with amino acids. “Foods with a lot of amino acids include meat, cheese, coke, peanuts and chocolate. Such foods should be avoided.”

He added that immediate treatment of migraine should start so that other complications can be avoided. He also suggested for patients of migraine to get their blood pressure checked regularly and avoid services from quack-run clinics.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2019.

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