Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

Season 16

Episode 5: Living With Migraines: Managing Migraine and Cluster Headaches

At some point of our lives, we all seem to get what we feel is a headache or a migraine, but for some- migraines can be a debilitating condition that has daily complications. In addition to the pain and discomfort migraine headaches can keep sufferers up in the middle of the night, making them feel tired and lethargic the next day. A more intense type of headache called "cluster headaches"...sometimes known as suicide headaches because of the withering nature of the pain are far less common but much more debilitating. In this program we explore the many types of treatments for these headaches some have been around for a while, and others are fairly new: one class of newer treatments is commonly known as triptans. These medicines have been effective in relieving the symptoms associated with migraines and cluster headaches. But as you'll see, migraine patients often have to search to find the most effective treatment for their particular type of headache. The good news is today patients have newer options and better patient care.