In many ways women have a tougher time than men and the risk of suffering from migraines is one of them. Although 1 in 8 people are affected by migraines, twice as many as women suffer from the condition than men, with incidence increasing during adolescence and peaking at menarche.

As any migraine sufferer will tell you, it's a chronic condition that affects all aspects of life from productivity at work, social relationships to recreational activities.

A migraine is more than just a headache, it is an intense pain involving half of the head which can last for between 4 to 72 hours.

Other symptoms such as visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to noise and/or light, and numbness in limbs may also be present.

So what causes them? In women, some migraines can be triggered by food, changes in weather and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycle, amongst others.

Migraines that are linked with the menstrual cycle are precipitated by the decrease in oestrogen levels that occur after ovulation and before menstruation. This drop may initiate a migraine attack with or without aura (flashing lights, or dots before the eyes).

Every individual will experience migraine differently, so it's important to discuss it with your health professional to ensure effective management of the condition.

Treatment options may include prophylactic (preventative) medication or abortive medication that is taken at the first sign of a migraine attack.

Other preventative measures that may be helpful are physical exercise, regular sleep patterns and avoidance of trigger foods such as cheese, chocolate and alcohol.

For further information on treatment of migraines, speak to your doctor today or visit www.MyMigraine.co.za website. Click here to do an online test to see whether you could be a migraine sufferer.

Compiled by Amayeza Info Services in the interests of patient education.