Great hope for migraine vaccination

Anyone who suffers from migraines will be familiar with them: triptans, painkillers and herbal alternatives for treating the severe HeadacheThere is now great hope for a possible migraine vaccine.

Migraine is the chronic pain of our civil society. Around 8% of men and 15% of women are affected by it worldwide. The latter mainly between the ages of 35 and 45, where the number is twice as high as that of male patients. All patients have the same symptoms, such as regular, strong throbbing headaches, usually accompanied by nausea or vomiting and, in many cases, severe sensitivity to light. A massive impairment of everyday life is the rule in most cases. In addition, it has been proven that migraine is more than just a mere Headache Although the exact causes of migraine are not clear, the data collected in studies show that migraine is an irritation of the blood vessels in the brain, which makes the vessel walls permeable and leads to inflammation of the nerve tissue that is supplied with blood. This can be triggered by various influences such as light, noise, Stress, food and beverages, sudden changes in the weather, lack of fluids, lack of sleep. A distinction must always be made between a migraine without aura and a migraine with aura, which is accompanied by neurological disorders such as numbness and carries an increased risk of stroke. In the latter case, an ultrasound examination of the vessels is strongly recommended.

Migraine is more than Headache

As painful, recurring and difficult to treat as a migraine is, there are methods to combat the severe headache. Firstly, so-called triptans such as sumatritan or the particularly effective eletriptan are available for treatment. They inhibit the increased release of serotonin, which is responsible for the irritation in the brain. A successful measure in the acute treatment of migraines, as also recommended by the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG) in the current guidelines for the care of migraine patients. Due to the risk of serious side effects, their use should be considered and under medical supervision. Alternatively, painkillers such as paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, diclofenac and ibuprofen, as well as naproxen and metamizole, are also effective in treating acute migraines in sufficiently high doses. But this is not without consequences either, as the stomach can react sensitively to the ingredients if used too long and too often. It is therefore always advisable to supplement the acute treatment of a migraine attack with non-medicinal measures. Lying down and shielding yourself from external stimuli and cooling the neck and forehead have proven to be effective. There are also ways to counteract migraines prophylactically, such as with metoprolol, flunarazine, amitriptyline, topiramate, valproic acid and other medications. It should be noted that success is usually only seen after 6-8 weeks. Medicinal herbs such as butterbur and feverfew as well as magnesium, vitamin B2 and coenzyme Q10 are also effective means of preventative therapy, as are health-promoting changes in lifestyle. This includes optimizing sleep habits. Migraine attacks can often be reduced by treating an increased blood pressure can be prevented. Special relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) according to Jacobson or autogenic training (AT) according to Schultz have also shown success.

vaccination against migraines

Great hope is placed in the development of the so-called migraine vaccine. CGRP (calcitonin gene related peptide) is the key enzyme in the development of migraines. Large studies are being conducted to investigate the tolerability, safety and effectiveness of antibodies against CGRP. It is therefore not unlikely that there will soon be migraine prophylaxis with injections. The so-called CGRP antagonists are injected at intervals of 4-12 weeks. Approval of this new therapy is expected at the end of 2018.