Migraine
Migraine is a complex neurological disease, involving both genetic and environmental factors. A true disease of intolerance to change, it manifests itself through episodic attacks of varying severity, lasting from 4 to 72 hours. The best-known symptom is a headache of moderate to severe intensity, often unilateral and sometimes pulsatile, which does not respond to conventional analgesic treatments. But there are other symptoms associated with the pain, most of them highly incapacitating.
Migraine affects around 20% of the population, with women accounting for 2 out of 3 sufferers. Because of its high prevalence and impact, migraine is ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the ten diseases with the greatest societal impact, ranking ninth if only the female population is considered, and even second in terms of years lived with disability. Today, there is still no cure for this crippling disease, but strategies can be put in place to help reduce the frequency of attacks and the intensity of symptoms.
Table of contents
Migraines, more than just a headache
Headache is occasional and often contextual. Pain intensity is mild to moderate. Pressure (or tightness) is felt in the forehead and temples, sometimes accompanied by neck pain. This type of headache is not accompanied by symptoms.
Migraine is a neurological disease that is diagnosed clinically. It can be episodic or chronic. Attacks are of moderate to severe intensity, and last from a few hours to a few days (usually between 4 and 72 hours). Pain is often felt on only one side of the head, and is accompanied by associated symptoms.
Migraine symptoms
Symptoms can vary from one person to another, and can be experienced in varying degrees of severity.
Here are some of the most common symptoms:
intense head pain
nausea
vomiting
irritability
cravings for food
untimely yawning
hypersensitivity to light
noise hypersensitivity
odor hypersensitivity
muscle stiffness
insomnia
exhaustion
dizziness
tingling, numbness
visual disturbances
motor disorders (paralysis of one side of the body)
language disorders (aphasia)
memory disorders
Causes vs. triggers
The cause of migraine is immutable: disease. Migraines are caused by abnormal neuronal excitability, as in epilepsy or certain movement disorders (paroxysmal dyskinesias). This phenomenon is itself linked to a genetic predisposition, modulated by environmental factors (hormones, stress, food, etc.).
Triggers can vary considerably from one individual to another. Here are some of the most common triggers:
Stress
Certain foods and beverages (dairy products, seafood, citrus fruit, chocolate, alcohol, sugar, yeast, etc.).
Digestive imbalances (dysbiosis, liver disorders, etc.)
Bruxism
Sleep apnea
Changes in rhythm or schedule (short nights, naps, sleeping in, etc.)
Strong emotions (crying, anxiety)
Hormonal changes (menstruation)
Meals (hypo- or hyperglycemia)
Weather changes (wind, rain, heat)
Sensory stimuli (loud noises, cigarette smoke, perfume, flash of light, etc.)
Overwork and exhaustion
Treatments and risks
Although there is as yet no cure for migraine, there are background treatments (anti-depressants, beta-blockers, anti-epileptics and, more recently, anti-CRGP) and crisis treatments (triptans). Their effectiveness varies greatly from one person to another. This is a real difficulty in migraine treatment, as a treatment may work very well on one person and have no effect on another. Efficacy can also be transient. And unfortunately, side-effects are often numerous, and sometimes so deleterious that treatments have to be stopped. There is also a high risk of addiction, dependency and over-medication. Drug withdrawal may have to be followed up in hospital. Last but not least, treatment failures have significant repercussions on patients' mental health.
Hypnotherapy for migraine prevention
The major risk of migraine is a deep state of depression triggered by chronic suffering with no deadline, incomprehension on the part of those around you, and lack of treatment. Hypnosis is a benevolent and effective therapy for combating exhaustion and discouragement. It allows you to relax deeply and regain courage thanks to a resolutely more positive attitude.
It is the implementation of a set of strategies that will make the difference and bring improvements and a new comfort to your life. Hypnosis effectively helps to implement these new lifestyle habits, drastically reduce stress levels, and learn to manage pain and symptom intensity.
There are several avenues to explore:
identify and stay away from triggers
reduce daily stress levels (self-hypnosis, breathing exercises, meditation, self-massage, cardiac coherence, etc.)
observe regular schedules (meals, getting up, going to bed, etc.)
have a healthy lifestyle in general (stop using stimulants, eat a healthy diet, etc.)
take care of your sleep
taking care of yourself every day, knowing how to say "no
regular, gentle physical activity (walking, yoga, pilates, etc.)
stay hydrated
How many sessions are required?
Of course, each person is different, but 3 close hypnosis sessions will already enable you to implement several strategies, learn self-hypnosis to take care of yourself on a daily basis, and discover your self-healing powers. Then, hypno-coaching sessions will enable you to go the distance, while feeling supported and understood.
