11 million people in France suffer from migraines - what help is available?

Are you among the 11 million adults in France who suffer regular migraines? If so, you will understand why ‘suffer’ is the verb used in both our languages. 

Nevertheless, a third of migraine sufferers have never consulted their GP, simply trying to manage the pain themselves. So what help is available?

What is a migraine?

A migraine is an extremely painful form of headache, usually concentrated on one side of the head and accompanied by nausea plus high sensitivity to light and sound. 

Their impact on everyday life is often underestimated: an attack can be so debilitating that patients can only retreat to a dark room and stay very still until the treatment takes effect.

What causes migraines?

France’s national health platform, Ameli, explains that migraines are neurovascular, occurring when a nerve stimulation causes vessels in the brain to dilate, resulting in intense pain. 

Some people are genetically more likely to suffer migraines, and women are up to three times more likely to be affected, with hormonal changes being a proven cause. 

The French Neurology Federation says that you are most likely to suffer migraines from the age of 20 to 50, with a peak at 35 to 39. 

Triggers vary, but the most common are stress, disturbed sleep, irregular eating patterns, sensory factors such as flashing lights or strong smells, and certain foods (chocolate, tomatoes, cheese, aspartame) and stimulants like tobacco, coffee or alcohol. 

Curiously, sudden rest after periods of intense stress can also provoke migraines, ruining holidays. 

Tracking migraines

As migraine triggers are individual, it is important to track them, including severity, duration and any potential triggers of diet, environment or hormones. 

You should also note the extent to which it affects your ability to function, and any medication you take each time.

Read more: Diabetes: Everything you need to know about the condition in France

Can I treat it myself?

At the first signs of a migraine, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can help, notably ibuprofen, and some patients swear by acupuncture. 

Globally, it is recommended to keep regular sleep habits, a balanced diet, do endurance activities such as fast walking, cycling or running for 2½ hours a week, and to avoid smoking and alcohol. 

How can a doctor help?

If severe, one-sided headaches are affecting your everyday life and causing you to take painkillers more than three days a week, you must see your GP, either for a migraine diagnosis or to rule out any other underlying condition. 

GPs can prescribe triptans, a type of painkiller that changes how blood circulates in your brain and blocks the pain signals. 

If your attacks are stress-related, you might be prescribed beta blockers, usually a treatment for high blood pressure but proven to be effective on migraines. 

Sufferers of hormonal migraines can be prescribed gel to apply to the skin or specific contraceptive pills, both of which rebalance your hormone levels.

Botox and gepants

If you suffer 15-plus headaches a month with eight or more migraines, you can be prescribed injections of toxine botulinique A, commonly called botox. Ideally administered every three months, they have proven effective but are not systematically refunded by the state. 

Similarly, gepants – a recent medication designed specifically to treat migraines – are not yet covered by the state. 

Taken regularly as a preventive measure or at the first symptoms, gepants are only prescribed when other treatments such as triptans are ineffective or incompatible with pre-existing health conditions.

Read more: French firm's needle-free injections win US government contract

Find out more

If you suffer regularly from severe headaches, definitely talk to your GP. As well as eliminating any underlying causes, your doctor could prescribe a simple solution that means you can drastically reduce or even eliminate the pain, and usually at no cost to you.