Headache attacks at least 15 days a month and for at least three months. This is what characterizes chronic migraine, a pathology that affects 3% of the French population. Difficult to treat and debilitating, the causes of this disease are still unknown. Researchers published study in journal Cephalalgia, which allows you to see more clearly. In a meta-analysis, they reviewed 5,695 publications on the subject. This allowed them to determine five predisposing factors for chronic migraine.
From depression to the economic factor
According to the results, people with depression have a 58% greater risk of suffering from chronic migraine. The latter is also frequently associated with psychological disorders. The second factor may seem obvious: having migraines regularly. Indeed, suffering from five headaches per month multiplies by three the risk of becoming chronic migraine. “This suggests that preventive therapies should be adopted to avoid this chronicity,” said the study.
Third factor: drug abuse. Consuming too many painkillers increases the risk of chronic migraine by 8.8. In addition, people suffering from allodynia are more exposed. This is a particular sensitivity to pain, caused by a dysfunction of the central nervous system. The risk is 40% higher. Finally, the last factor is financial and social. Earning more than € 45,000 per year reduces the chances of suffering from chronic migraine by 35%. Researchers believe that better access to care and a better lifestyle can explain this difference.
A treatment that gives hope
In everyday life, other factors can promote migraines: anxiety, coffee, alcohol, stress, overweight, sleep disturbances, temperature changes. Today, a new preventive treatment has proven its worth. Called Aimovig, it works with monthly subcutaneous injections and prevents the onset of migraine attacks. This treatment already obtained a marketing authorization for the American and European markets in 2018. However, it is not yet available in France. Its price is still under discussion.
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