This podcast explores the impact of migraines, including a government minister's resignation. It discusses the symptoms and variations of migraines, potential triggers, gender disparity, mood disorders, and advancements in research and treatment. It also explores new drugs and targets for migraines and offers optimism for the future of migraine treatments.
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Quick takeaways
Migraines are a complex syndrome with varying symptoms and stages, making it challenging to define and understand them fully.
Recent advancements in medication, such as CGRP inhibitors, offer hope in significantly reducing the disability and pain associated with migraines.
Deep dives
Migraine is a prevalent and disabling neurological disorder
Migraines affect one in seven adults in the UK and are the third most common disorder worldwide. The condition can have severe symptoms, including one-sided throbbing headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and changes in vision. Migraines are often misunderstood and receive less attention compared to other neurological disorders, despite their significant impact on productivity and quality of life.
Migraine is a complex and multifaceted condition
Migraine is not a singular problem, but rather a syndrome with a wide range of symptoms that can vary among individuals. The stages of a migraine include a premonitory phase characterized by fatigue, concentration problems, cravings, and mood changes, followed by a pain phase with severe one-sided throbbing headaches, and a resolution phase where individuals may experience fatigue, concentration difficulties, and a general feeling of being 'off.' The variation in symptoms and their intensity makes it challenging to define and understand migraines fully.
Progress in migraine research and treatment offers hope
Despite the complexities of migraines, there have been significant advances in understanding and treating the condition. Recent developments include the introduction of new medications, such as CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) inhibitors, which have revolutionized the treatment of acute migraines for many patients. Ongoing research focuses on identifying additional targets for treatment, with the potential to prevent migraines altogether. This optimism suggests that in the future, it may be possible to significantly reduce the disability and pain associated with migraines and offer a pain-free life for sufferers.
British minister Dehenna Davison recently resigned from government, explaining that chronic migraines were making it impossible for her to do her job. Her announcement coincided with a new drug for acute migraines being recommended for use in the NHS. Madeleine Finlay meets Prof Peter Goadsby, whose pioneering research underpins the new drug, to find out about the advances we’ve made in understanding migraines, and whether we might one day be able to wave goodbye to migraines for good. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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