Dr Biju Hameed – Consultant Paediatric Neurologist
Migraines affect around 10% of the population in the UK, with around 1 in 5 women and 1 in 15 men believed to be affected. Often misunderstood, migraines are far more than just a ‘bad headache’ and can be extremely debilitating, sometimes affecting all aspects of a person’s life. Migraine usually begins in early life, though diagnosis may be delayed or overlooked until it becomes a problem, often in working or middle age. Seeing a migraine specialist can be a key step in gaining an accurate diag
Migraine Symptoms
If you are experiencing migraine-type symptoms, or you have been previously diagnosed with migraine by a GP, a neurologist migraine specialist can help determine whether you are experiencing true migraines.
Migraine pain can vary in severity. However, it is usually one-sided and throbbing, and may swap sides or affect both sides of the head. Migraine is a complex neurological condition, and a key thing that sets it apart from other types of headache is that additional symptoms are usually involved. The pain normally comes with nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick), over-sensitivity to light, noise, movement, or smell.
About a third of people affected will also have with ‘aura’, or ‘classical migraine’. In this condition, warning symptoms (the aura) occur before a migraine begins. These most commonly consist of visual disturbances such as flashing lights, often in the shape of zigzags. Migraines can last anything from a few hours to three days. Migraines can be triggered by stress, hunger, certain foods such as chocolate and red wine (although these can be very individual and different from one person to the next), tiredness and lack of body fluid (dehydration). For women, menstrual periods and the use of oral contraceptives can also trigger migraines.
The underlying problem that leads to migraines is still not clear but several theories exist. Experts believe that migraine is probably the result of a series of complex changes in the nerves, blood vessels and chemical signalling within the brain.
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Migraine Diagnosis
Diagnosing migraine usually begins with a migraine specialist taking an in-depth look at your symptom history and patterns. Alongside this, at Dementech Neuroscience Clinic, we offer a comprehensive approach to headaches and migraine including multiaxial assessments of symptoms and investigation of other neuropsychiatric issues associated with headaches, blood and imaging assessments. We will use blood tests and imaging scans to precisely make the diagnosis and differentiate from other disorders.
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Migraine Treatment
While migraine can be immensely debilitating, with the correct treatment and self-management techniques, it is possible to find relief and bring your symptoms under a good level of control. Our headache and migraine specialists are here to help ensure you get the right treatment and advice for you.
There are several medications that can be used for the acute attacks of a migraine. Some people with frequent migraines may take a daily tablet to act as a migraine preventer. At Dementech Neurosciences, we offer pharmacological intervention including injections for the treatment of this invalidating condition.
Lifestyle measures can play an important role in managing migraine too. This often includes identifying triggers and taking appropriate steps to avoid and minimise them, as well as taking steps to manage stress and making time for activities that promote relaxation and wellbeing. Our neurologist migraine specialists believe this can be just as important as medication, and we are happy to provide advice and guidance where required.
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Dr Lucio D’Anna – Consultant Neurologist in London
Lead Neurologist
Dr Lucio D’Anna is a Consultant Neurologist at the Department of Stroke & Neurosciences at Imperial College London NHS Trust. He is also Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London.
Dr Soumit Singhai – Parkinson’s Specialist in London
Geriatric & general internal medicine
Dr Singhai has been a Consultant Physician/Geriatrician since 2009, initially at the Homerton University Hospital Foundation Trust in London and then from 2016 he has been at the Lister Hospital in Hertfordshire.
Dr David Choluj – Consultant Neurologist
Lead Neurologist for MS
Dr David Choluj is a Consultant Neurologist with a further extensive experience in Stroke Medicine and Neurological Rehabilitation, based in London.
Prof. K. Ray Chaudhuri – Parkinson’s Specialist in London
Parkinson's Disease Expert
Professor K. Ray Chaudhuri is a world-renowned expert in Parkinson's disease. He is Professor of Neurology/Movement Disorders & Consultant Neurologist at King’s College Hospital & King’s College London and also Principal Investigator at the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute.
Prof. Aarsland Dag – Psychiatrist London
Geriatric Psychiatry
Dag Aarsland is Professor and Head of Department of Old Age Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, and Consultant psychiatrist at the Mental Health for Older Adults, South London & Maudsley NHS Health Trust, where he leads the Parkinson Spectrum Memory Clinic.
Dr. Vinod Metta – Private Neurologist London
Consultant Neurologist
Dr Vinod Metta, consultant interventional neurologist & movement disorder specialist trained at Kings College Hospital London.
