#Migraine #pale #skin #increases #risk
If you have pale skin, you are more likely to have migraines according to a new study published May 10, 2022 in the journal Brain Sciences. “Our study addresses the issue from a public health perspective, as lower UV protection suggests that migraine sufferers should pay more attention to the use of sunscreen products,” the authors write.
Migraine risk triples when you have a low melanin index
To arrive at these results, the researchers examined the possible link between skin pigmentation and migraine in 148 adults, including 33 men and 115 women, who suffered from migraine. In parallel, a control group made up of 107 people, including 43 men and 64 women, made it possible to compare the results.
The researchers finally observed an increased risk of migraine in lightly pigmented adults, i.e. those with pale skin. Indeed, “migraine risk tripled in people with a low melanin index”, we can read in the study. It is a natural pigment present in humans and known to give skin its brown color when tanned. “The light phenotype, resulting from lightly pigmented skin, was associated with migraine prevalence.”
Migraine: what are the symptoms?
“In addition to this, bright light is one of the many triggers, but also one of the aggravating factors, of migraine attacks”, the researchers write. “That is why people who suffer from it are more sensitive and vulnerable to sunlight in two different ways.” Indeed, photophobiain other words hypersensitivity to light, is one of the most common symptoms of neurological disease. That is why in the event of a crisis, the person should isolate themselves in peace and in the dark.
In France, 20% of the population suffers from migraines, according to the French Federation of Neurology. Actually yes 20% of the weaker sex is affected, there are only 10% of patients in men and 5% in children. This neurological disease, which causes debilitating, throbbing headaches, occurs due to crisis. “Migraine disease is defined as the repetition of migraine attacks with, between them, intervals of time during which the person has no symptoms,” specifies the health insurance on its website. “it is a mild diseasebut that alters the quality of life of those affected, with repercussions on their affective relationships and their professional activity”.
There are also other symptoms like:
- the nausea I the vomiting
- A paleness of the face
- phonophobiathat is, difficulty tolerating noise during seizures
- the stiff and painful neck
- Since eye disorders
- Since sensory disorders : tingling and numbness
- Since Language problems : Migraine attacks can also cause difficulty speaking, mainly difficulty finding words
- Since dizziness and the balance disorders
- A double vision
- sleep disorders
Migraine: how to relieve them?
Before starting any treatment to combat this pathology, it is necessary to distinguish between migraine attack intended to relieve pain and background treatment whose goal is to reduce the frequency of seizures.
Migraine attack treatment
“For a mild to moderate attack, aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen may be enough.”, indicates the Vidal.fr. “In case of immediate severe crisis or not relieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, there are specific treatments: triptans and ergotamine derivatives”. In all cases, these medications should be taken as soon as possible, as soon as symptoms appear.
The medical information site also recommends keep a crisis diary for six months, which can be used by your treating physician to tailor treatment. Write there “the date of onset of the migraine, its duration, the intensity of the pain and the medications used to relieve the crisis”.
Basic treatment of migraine
The basic treatment of migraine disease is based, first of all, on the identification of the triggering factors of the crises to eliminate them. If the seizures are frequent and very intense, Pharmacological treatment may also be prescribed to improve the quality of life of patients.. It may include beta blockers, an antidepressant, an antiepileptic, migraine-specific medications, and monoclonal antibodies.